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Collection Evaluation Tools
For this assignment, I am working with a county library system consisting of a main branch and three small branches in outlying
areas that are open two days per week. The entire collection is owned by the district; requests are circulated from the main
branch out to each of the branches weekly, and larger batches of materials are exchanged on a monthly basis. I am assessing,
weeding, replacing and selecting new items in home construction (Dewey #s 690s).
The resources I have chosen include: OCLC catalog records for a general overview, and for verification of subject and call
numbers; catalog records of the Deschutes Public Library (this is a library of comparable size and demographics) for an overview
of titles appropriate to our region; and the Public Library Catalog: A Guide to Reference Books and Adult Nonfiction.
I have chosen the following review sources as an aid to selecting new titles to be added: Books in Print, Public Library Catalog
and the Amazon.com website. These are easily searchable, and will provide more extensive results for the subject area than
Booklist or Library Journal. I will also search subject-specific journals and websites for additional titles, and consult
hardware and lumber outlets for recommended 'Do-It-Yourself' titles.
Please see the attached appendix for information on Lake County Library’s mission statement, collection development,
gift and weeding policies.
Appendix
Lake County Library Mission Statement
“The Lake County Library System strives to serve as a vital center linking people of all ages, backgrounds and levels
of ability to books and other resources for lifelong learning, discovery, and enjoyment.”
Policy on Collection Development
The purpose of the Lake County Library Collection Development Policy is to provide guidelines for day-to-day acquisition and
withdrawal decisions, resource allocation and long-range planning of collection needs in accordance with the Library’s
mission statement.
The Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read and Freedom to View Statements and all relevant interpretations as adopted by
ALA are part of this Collection Management Policy. These may be viewed online at www.ala.org, or paper copies may be requested
at the circulation desk.
Collection Development Criteria
All acquisitions, whether purchased or donated, will be selected or withdrawn in accordance with one or more of the following
criteria:
• Favorable reviews in professional collection development aids
• Effectiveness of style, format, and content for intended audience
• Artistic, literary, historic and/or scientific merit
• Need for variety and balance of viewpoints and subjects within the collection
• Relation to existing collection and other materials on the subject
• Reputation and significance of author, publisher, director, composer and/or artist
• Patron interest or request
• Contemporary significance or permanent value
• Cost
The library recognizes that many materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. The choice
of library materials by users is an individual matter. A person may reject certain items for himself/herself or for his/her
family, but he/she does not have the right to restrict access to these materials by others. Collection development will not
be made on the basis of any anticipated approval or disapproval, but on the merits of the work as it relates to the criteria
listed.
Materials are purchased in the most appropriate format for library use. Formats include print, audiovisual and multi-media
materials. The library recognizes the place of non-print formats in the collection as legitimate educational and recreational
resources for the community it serves. The library monitors the development of new formats and, within budgetary and technical
limitations, adds these to the collection. Choice of new formats will be based on patron demand, community trends, new product
development, and positive critical reviews.
Collection Maintenance
The library strives to maintain a collection that meets the needs of the community. Systematic weeding of the library’s
materials will improve the efficiency and vitality of the library’s resources. Materials may be withdrawn from the collection
due to any combination of the following criteria:
• Poor physical condition
• No circulation within past 3 years
• Outdated information
• Series missing significant items
• Duplicate copies
• Other materials on the same topic in the collection
• Lack of relevance or accuracy
• Lack of space
Gifts
The Lake County Library gratefully accepts gifts and donations with the following understanding:
• The Library accepts gifts of materials, but reserves the right to evaluate and sell or dispose of them if the library
cannot use them. The Library makes the final decision on the use or disposition of the gift.
• Depending on the wishes of the donors, some donations may be referred to the Lake County Library Endowment Fund or
the Friends of the Library.
• Any gift accepted by the Library becomes the property of the Library
• Library bookplates will be placed in library materials purchased with gift funds. Programs and services made possible
by gift funds will include recognition of such benefactors in their supporting literature.
The Library can not appraise donated books. The Library will provide (upon request) a receipt for the donor with a space for
the donor’s estimated value of the materials.
Reconsideration of Materials
A special form is provided for a patron wishing to request that the library staff reconsider a specific title currently in
the collection. The patron completes the form and submits it to the director. The director will review the title and write
a letter of response to the patron. If the patron wishes, the director will present that patron’s objections to the
library board, who will then review the material and respond to the patron with their decision. All complaints about materials
are viewed in context of the collection development policy.
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