Collection Development Policy
POLICY PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy on book and non-book selection is to guide in the selection of materials and to inform the public about the principles upon which selections are made.
This policy was revised and approved on June 7, 2023 by the LaSalle Parish Library Board of Control.
LIBRARY PURPOSE
The aim of the LaSalle Parish Library is service to all people. This encompasses individuals and groups of every age, education, philosophy, economic level, ethnic origin, and human condition. Fulfilling the educational, informational and recreational needs of these people is the LaSalle Parish Library’s broad purpose. More specifically, it helps people to keep up with change in all areas, educate themselves continually, become better members of their family and community, become socially and politically aware, be more capable in the occupations, develop their creative abilities and spiritual capacities, appreciate and enjoy literature and art, contribute to the overall expanse of knowledge, and stimulate their own personal and social well-being. In essence, LaSalle Parish Library endeavors to help its citizens participate in the lifelong learning process. All printed and non-printed materials are selected by this library in accordance with these basic objectives.
SCOPE OF THE COLLECTION
The library recognizes its obligations to provide reference and research materials for the direct answering of specific questions and for continuing research. It also recognizes the purposes and resources of other libraries in the community and shall not needlessly duplicate functions and materials.
The library acquires textbooks and other curriculum-related materials when such materials serve the general public.
The library acknowledges a particular interest in local and state history; therefore, it will seek to acquire state and municipal documents, and it will take a broad view of works by and about Louisiana, whether or not such materials meet the standards of selection in other respects. However, the library is not under any obligation to add to its collections everything with Louisiana connections if it does not seem to be in the public interest to do so.
GIFTS
Unconditional gifts, donations, and contributions to the library may be accepted by the librarian on behalf of the Library Board of Control. No gifts or donations conditionally made shall be accepted without the approval of the Library Board of Control.
Generally, collections of books will not be accepted with restrictions which necessitate special housing or which prevent integration of the gift into the general library collection.
RESPONSIBILITY OF MATERIALS SELECTION
This Library Board adopts a part of its policy the following paragraphs for the Library Bill of Rights:
“I. As a responsibility of library service, books and other library materials should be chosen for values of interest, information and enlightenment of all people of the community. In no case should library materials be excluded because of the race or nationality of the social, political, or religious views of the authors.
II. Libraries should provide books and other materials presenting all points of view concerning the problems and issues of our times; no library materials should be proscribed or removed from libraries because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.”
Final responsibility for selection of books and library materials is and shall be vested in the librarian. However, the librarian may be delegated to such members of the staff as are qualified by reason of training, the authority to interpret and guide the application of the policy in making day-to-day selections. Unusual problems will be referred to the librarian for resolution. Any books and library materials so selected shall be held to be selected by the board.
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
Certain factors influence the selection of library materials. Among these are:
1. The author’s reputation and significance as a writer
2. The importance of subject matter to the collection
3. Availability of material in the system, in other libraries or in print
4. Timeliness or permanence of a book
5. Authoritativeness
6. Inclusion in standard bibliographies
7. Price and availability of shelf space
8. Format, including possibility of rebinding, a well as type and legibility
9. Community standards
Any items that we can not purchase, we will try to borrow for our patrons through our InterLibrary Loan system.
MAINTAINING THE COLLECTION
Systemic withdrawal of materials no longer useful is necessary in order to maintain relevant resources. The same criteria will be used in weeding materials from the collection as areused in their acquisition. The decision to withdraw library material shall be based on the physical condition; use of the material as determined by last date of loan or by number of loans in the last five years; and age of the material as a misinformation factor especially in the area of the sciences. Library staff members are to be thoroughly instructed with regard to the necessity for discarding books and library materials.
CENSORSHIP
The selection of library books and materials is predicated on the library patron’s right to read, and similarly, his freedom from censorship by others. Many books are controversial and any given item may offend some persons. Selections from this library will not, however, be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the merits of the material in relation to the building of the collection and serving the interests of the readers. This library holds censorship to be a purely individual matter and declares that while anyone is free to reject for himself books and other materials of which he does not approve, he cannot exercise this right of censorship to restrict the freedom of others.
With respect to the use of library materials, by children, the decision a to what a minor may read is the responsibility of his parent or guardian. Selection will not be inhibited by the possibility that books may inadvertently come into the possession of minors.