Collection Development and Management Policy
Collection development is the ongoing process of assessing materials available for purchase or licensing, and making decisions about the inclusion and retention of materials. The library's collection is critical in fulfilling the library's mission and meeting its service priorities.
Scope of
Collection
"Collection" is defined as materials that are selected
and maintained for the Duluth Public Library. The collection offers
materials in choices of format, treatment, language and level
of difficulty. "Selection" refers to the decision to
add a given item to the DPL collection and make it accessible
either in a physical location or via the Internet. "Materials"
has the widest possible meaning and includes but is not limited
to print, audiovisual, and electronic formats. Selected materials
may be physically owned by the Duluth Public Library or may be
accessed via the Internet. Not all materials and information found
via the Internet are part of the collection. Only web-based resources
accessed over the Internet that are specifically selected using
the criteria outlined in this policy are a part of the collection.
The Duluth Public Library collects, organizes, and makes available materials of contemporary significance and long-term value. The collection is reviewed and revised on an ongoing basis to meet contemporary needs. Withdrawn materials are given to the Friends of the Library for sale or distribution. Only the Duluth Collection is intended to be comprehensive and archival. Collections provide broad coverage of subjects and reflect the characteristics of the community. Materials are withdrawn from the collection to maintain the collection's usefulness, currency, and relevance.
Collection Development and Management Criteria
To build a collection of merit, materials are evaluated according to one or more of the following criteria. An item need not meet all of these criteria in order to be acceptable.
General criteria:
Content criteria:
Special considerations for electronic information sources:
Collection
Responsibilities
Staff responsibility for the collection rests with the Library
Manager, who operates within the framework of the Duluth Public
Library Board's collection development and management policy.
The Manager delegates to staff members authority to interpret
and apply this policy in daily operation.
The community has a role in shaping library collections by participating
in the collection development process through suggestions and
feedback.
Intellectual
Freedom
A democracy presupposes an informed citizenry, and the public
library has an integral role in achieving that goal. The library
provides an impartial environment in which individuals can access
information representing many different points of view on a variety
of topics. The American Library Association's Library Bill of
Rights, Freedom to Read and Freedom to View statements guide the
acquisition and management of collections, and can be accessed
through the library's website.
Collection development and management decisions are based on the merit of the work as it relates to the library's mission and its ability to meet the expressed or anticipated needs and interests of the community. Decisions are not made on the basis of any anticipated approval or disapproval of the material. The inclusion of an item in the library collection in no way represents an endorsement of its contents. Library materials are not marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of the contents, nor are materials sequestered except for the purpose of protecting them from damage or theft.
The library recognizes that many materials may be controversial and that any given item may offend some people. Only individuals can determine what is most appropriate for their needs and can define what material or information is consistent with their personal or family values. Individuals can apply those values to the use of library materials only for themselves. Parents and legal guardians are responsible for their children's use of library materials.
Access
to Collection Materials
All library materials are accessible for use by all library users.
Access to materials is ensured by the way materials are organized,
managed, and displayed, through staff interaction, and through
the delivery of materials.
The library organizes its collection through a standards-based cataloging and classification system. Staff is available to assist library users in the selection and location of materials of interest. The library participates in interlibrary loan networks to make materials not in the collection available to users. Electronic resources are also made accessible through web-based environments.
To ensure equitable and efficient access, materials may be subject to use limitations. Remote electronic access to the library catalog and electronic resources is provided within technical, budgetary, and licensing constraints.
Reconsideration
of Library Materials
Individuals may request reconsideration of a selection decision
of library material by filling out a written "Statement of
Concern" form, available at any Duluth Public Library location.
The library manager will respond in writing to an individual's
written request.
The Duluth Public Library Board, upon request, will hear appeals of the manager's written response. Appeals must be presented in writing to the library board at least ten days in advance of the next regularly scheduled meeting of the board. Decisions on appeals are based on careful review of the objection, the material, and DPL policies, including: this policy, the Library Bill of Rights, the Right to Read and the Right to View, and the American Library Association's guidelines on intellectual freedom. The final decision on appeals rests with the Duluth Public Library Board.
The Duluth Public Library's policies are subject to change without notice.
Adopted August 23,
2011
Duluth Public Library Board
