Introduction
Waterloo is a rural community in the outskirts of a metro area with a population of approximately 864 residents.
2. Purpose of Collection Development Policy
The Collection Development Policy, approved by the Library Board, is one of the Library’s fundamental policy documents. It outlines the philosophies that create and shape the Agnes Robinson Waterloo Public Library’s unique collection, the practices that maintain it over time, and the guidelines that help the collection respond to community needs while protecting the collection from societal and political pressures. The Collection Development Policy ensures that over time, the Agnes Robinson Waterloo Public Library’s collection will remain on course, reflecting the needs of Waterloo’s community, while creating unique experiences of meaning and inspiration for the individual patron.
3. Philosophy and Scope of the Collection
The Agnes Robinson Waterloo Public Library collects materials, in a variety of popular formats, which support its function as a major information source for the demanding needs of the population. The collection also serves the popular and recreational needs of the general public, and reflects the racial, ethnic and cultural diversity of the community.
Customer use is the most powerful influence on the Library’s collection. Circulation, customer purchase requests and holds levels are all factors in the purchase of new items and additional copies of high demand items.
In addition to customer demand, selections are made to provide depth and diversity of viewpoints to the existing collection. The Library provides materials to support each individual’s journey, and does not place a value on one customer’s needs or preferences over another’s. The Library upholds the right of the individual to access information, even though the content may be controversial, unorthodox or unacceptable to others.
Materials for children and teenagers are intended to broaden their vision, support recreational reading, encourage and facilitate reading skills, supplement their educational needs, stimulate and widen their interests, lead to recognition and appreciation of literature and reflect the diversity of the community. The reading and viewing activity of children is ultimately the responsibility of parents, who guide and oversee their own children’s development. The Agnes Robinson Waterloo Public Library does not intrude on that relationship.
4. Selection Criteria
The Library Director uses knowledge and expertise along with the following general criteria to select materials for the collection:
- Relevance to interests and needs of the community
- Extent of publicity, critical review and current or anticipated demand
- Current or historical significance of the author or subject
- Local significance of the author or subject
- Suitability of format to Library circulation and use
- Date of publication
- Price, availability and Library materials budget
5. Customer Recommendations
Customers may request items the Library does not own. Each request is reviewed for inclusion in the collection or for loan through Interlibrary Loan. The Director determines the best method for acquiring and providing the materials using the selection criteria.
6. Collection Management
The Library’s collection is a constantly evolving entity. As items are added, others are reviewed for their ongoing value and sometimes withdrawn from the collection. Great care is taken to retain or replace items that have enduring value to the community. The Director and/or qualified staff review the collection regularly to maintain its vitality and usefulness to the community.
7. Parameters of the Collection
- Children’s Books – at all reading levels
- Paperback Books – recreational and informative
- Hardback Fiction – recreational
- Hardback Non-Fiction – informative
- Young Adult Fiction – recreational
- Young Adult Non-Fiction – informative
- DVDs, Adult and Children – recreational and informative
- CDs, Adult and Children – recreational and informative
- Large Print Books – recreational and informative
- Magazines – Adult and Children
- Jigsaw Puzzles – Adult and Children
8. Procedure for Request for Reconsideration
Library patrons requesting reconsideration and removal of items in the collection may submit a Challenge of Library Materials form, which is available from the Director or staff. Procedures will be carried out as they are listed in the Challenge of Materials Policy. The item in question will not be removed from the shelf during the reconsideration process.
Approved by the Library Board of Trustees on March 10, 2014.
Agnes Robinson Waterloo Public Library 