Jennifer McAfeeUCA

LIBM Collection Development

Selection & Reconsideration Critique

Introduction

Library policies are a necessity, inthat they assist the Librarian in andefficient management of the schoollibrary media program.

(Bishop, 2007)

Review of Existing Policies

The policy includes:• policies on circulation• library cards• fax charges• interlibrary loans• unattended children• loud and disturbing behavior• acceptable use for public computers• donated books, magazines, and audiovisual materials• lending of library artifacts• use of library facilities• and the use of the little theater.

Summary of Outstanding Issues

The policy is not up to date and ismissing a mission statement,objectives, responsibility forselection of materials, criteria forselection of materials, andweeding. The following slides showthe missing items of the policy.

Mission Statement

The primary mission of the Library System is to meet and support the diverse needs of our patrons, by making available all types of literature and materials, and to promote a lifelong love of reading.

Policy and Objectives

• Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves.  Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

• Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.  Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

Responsibility of Selection of Materials

• The Library System is legally responsible for all materials relating to the each of the facilities.

• The Board delegates the responsibility for the selection of library materials to the professionally trained personnel employed by the Library System. Selection of materials can involve any number of patrons, be request.

Criteria for Selectionof Materials

• The Library System welcomes donations of books, magazines, and audiovisual materials to the collection. It is the policy of the Library System to accept all materials donated to the Library which are in good physical condition.

• The Library reserves the right to either add the materials to the Library's holdings, or give the materials to the Friends of the Library for their book sales. The Friends of the Library are officially organized entities which support the Library System through the purchase of materials and equipment.

• Once transferred to the Friends of the Library, items become the property of the Friends of the Library organization. After attempting to sell the items, they may dispose of them as needed.

• The Library will issue a letter to all persons or organizations which donate items to the Library thanking them for the donations, and listing the approximate number of items donated to the Library. The Library will not put a dollar value on the donated items.

Reflection

This assignment has given me theopportunity to view a public library,compared with a school library. Iresearched different school and publiclibrary policies, and there were very fewdifferences. It was an interesting learningexperience, and I learned, most of all, thathaving written policies allows theLibrarian more efficiency in what they do.It is also very necessary to review thepolicies every couple of years to makesure it is current and appropriate.