Collection Development Policy

Collection Development Policy:

Due to the limitations of budget and space, the library must have a selection policy with which to meet community interests and needs. The collection development policy is used by the library staff in the selection and weeding of materials and serves to acquaint the public with the principles of selection.

1. Criteria considered in the development of the Gustavus Public Library’s collection:

• physical format is suitable for library usage and space is available
• materials are important to the development of the general collection
• materials have cultural, historical, educational, or social importance in our community
• materials are relevant to the interests of our patrons and community
• the materials are current and up to date
• the materials accurately represent themselves and provides accurate information
• the availability of materials elsewhere
• materials have received attention from critics and reviewers
• materials have been requested by patrons
• materials fill a gap in the library’s collection
• materials need replacement or updating
• materials represent a wide range of groups, interests, and viewpoints
• the cost and accessibility of materials
• the amount of anticipated use of the item

2. Criteria considered in the weeding of the Gustavus Public Library’s collection:

• format, condition, and visual appeal of materials
• whether the materials are up to date
• accuracy of information in the materials
• relevance of the materials to patrons
• availability of materials elsewhere, or similar resources available in our collection
• popularity and current interest of material to our patrons
• whether the material holds significance in our community
• availability of physical space in the library
• Librarians will follow current weeding best practices

3. Challenged materials 

In our efforts to offer a collection of materials representing a variety of interests and viewpoints, it is likely that some patrons may find some of the library’s materials to be objectionable or offensive. If a patron has concerns about the presence of a material or resource in the library’s collection, they may follow the procedure below:

• Inform the staff or volunteer on duty that they wish to contest a material.
• Library staff or volunteer will provide a copy of the Gustavus Library Collection Policies and a Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form.
• Fill out a Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form.
• Library staff and volunteers will review the request and will read, view, or listen to the items being challenged. The item will be revaluated using the Gustavus Library’s Collection Development criteria and the Library’s Mission Statement.
• Library staff will provide the patron with a written response within 30 days. After the decision no further appeals will be heard. No other reconsideration of this material will be addressed.