Collection Development
Policy
INTRODUCTION
The Board of Trustees of the Seekonk Public Library has adopted the following Collection Development Policy to guide librarians and to inform the public about the principles upon which library collections are developed and maintained.
The Mission Statement of the Seekonk Public Library guides the Library staff in the selection of materials.
The Mission of the Seekonk Public Library is to serve the information needs of the people of Seekonk in an environment that provides a cultural and civic center for the community.
The Seekonk Public Library acquires and makes available materials that inform, educate, entertain, and enrich individuals in the community. Since no library can possibly acquire all print and non-print materials, every library must employ a selection policy for acquisitions. The Library provides, within financial limitations, a general collection of materials embracing broad areas of knowledge, Included are works of enduring value, and timely materials on current issues. Within the framework of these broad objectives, selection is based on community demographics and evidence of areas of interest.
Other community resources and area library resources are taken into consideration when developing the collection. Through interlibrary loan, librarians may obtain materials from other sources. Cooperative collection development within the ABLE network identifies the strengths of other libraries’ collections. Additional information may be obtained through electronic access and the Internet.
Impartiality and judicious selection will be exercised in all materials acquisitions practices. Allocation of the materials budget and the number of items purchased for each area of the collection will be determined by indicators of use, and the objectives for development of the collection as expressed in the Seekonk Public Library Development Plan.
The Library supports the individual’s right to access ideas and information representing all points of view. To this end, the Library welcomes and solicits customer suggestions, comments, and ideas about the collection and its development. The Seekonk Board of Library Trustees has adopted the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read and Freedom to View statements.
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT OBJECTIVES
- to provide materials that meet the customers’ interest and needs in a timely manner.
- to provide materials and programming to pre-school and grade school children to encourage and promote continued use of the library.
- to provide a broadly based and diverse collection that can support the goals of the Library.
- to strive to provide a balance of viewpoints on all subjects in its collections.
- to purchase current materials proportionate to levels of demand and use, taking care to anticipate and respond to indications of significant new needs.
- to practice ongoing collection management, using output measures, reports from the automated library system and other data for continuous collection evaluation. Worn, obsolete and dated materials will be weeded from the collection on a regular basis.
- to keep abreast of technological changes which affect the development of the collection.
- to be aware of the resources available in surrounding libraries and avoid duplication of resources while ensuring wide coverage of subjects.
- to continue participation in cooperative programs concerning shared resources within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
MATERIAL SELECTION POLICY
Responsibility for selection
Ultimate responsibility for materials selection rest with the Library Director who operates within the framework of policies approved by the Board of Library Trustees. All staff may participate in the selection of materials in print and non-print formats. The Senior Reference Librarian is responsible for the selection of the non-fiction collection as well as the reference collection and information sources in electronic formats. The Customer Services Supervisor coordinates the development of the adult popular materials collection. Senior Children’s and Family Center Librarian oversees the selection of juvenile and family center materials. They are all responsible for choosing appropriate materials, weeding the collections to keep them current with need and demand, seeing that materials are in good physical condition and replacing them when necessary, and spending their budgets in a timely and organized manner.
Placement of Materials
The placement of materials within the Seekonk Public Library is determined by several factors. The Library uses Dewey Decimal Classification. This classification scheme divides materials by subject. The Dewey Decimal System, along with Library of Congress subject headings places materials in their proper subject area. They are then assigned to the Adult, Juvenile, Young Adult, Reference, etc. areas of the Library. Reviews by professionals in the field recommending age appropriateness of materials aid Librarians in choosing and locating materials.
Although the Library is divided into sections such as Children’s, Reference, Fiction, Non-fiction, etc. for the convenience of the public, customers of any age may use the Library. The classification scheme, reviews by professionals, and the Librarian’s expertise contribute to the proper placement of materials. It is the responsibility of the parents, not the Library staff, to monitor library use by children.
Special collections include the Leonard collection of materials on antiques and the Environmental Resource Center.
Various formats are purchased for the Library system. To offer ease of use to our customers, these formats are shelved in separate collections. Included are Audiocassettes, Talking Books, Videocassettes, CD-ROMs, Maps, Vertical File, Periodicals and Software.
Methods for Selection
Selection involves a general knowledge of the subject and a recognition of the needs of the community. The Library strives to collect and make available differing points of view. Among standard criteria applied are: literary merit, enduring value, accuracy, authoritativeness, social significance, importance of the subject matter to the collection, cost, scarcity of material on the subject, and availability elsewhere. Quality and suitability of the format are also considered. Specific consideration for each area of the collection are noted in the Collection Development Plan.
Selection Tools
Tools used in selection include professional journals, trade journals, subject bibliographies, publisher’s promotional materials and reviews from reputable sources. Purchase suggestions from customers are welcome and provide librarians with useful information about interest or needs that may not be adequately met by the collection. Customer’s suggestions will be governed by this materials Selection Policy in making additions to or deleting items from the collection. Outside professionals may also be consulted on an as-needed basis. Their expertise may be used to help the Library staff select materials in the professional’s defined subject area.
Standing Order
Materials that are updated annually or every few years are put on standing order. The majority of these are reference books, travel books, and test review books.
Material Format
Materials are purchased in the most appropriate format for Library use. Books are generally purchased in hardcover editions for durability. However, paperback editions may be purchased in cases where the hardcover edition is expensive and the title would be either used infrequently or is an item that would be weeded in a few years. Paperbacks are often purchased when no other format is available for that title, as added copies of popular titles to meet customer demand and as part of the paperback browsing collection. Library editions are purchased for heavily used titles in the Children’s room for durability.
Videos, talking books, software and music CD’s are selected in the same manner as books as specified in this plan. New formats will be considered as they are developed based on the library’s responsibility to provide access to all types of information.
Multiple Copies
While the Library does not have the budget to buy multiple copies of every title it owns, it does buy multiple copies of titles having high customer demand. In subject areas such as resumes or travel books, where there is high interest, the Library prefers to buy one to two copies of several different titles instead of buying numerous copies of one title. The Library provides variety, depth, breadth and relevance to the needs of the community through this approach.
Rare and Expensive Books
The Library believes that materials selected for the circulation collection should be judged on merit and value to the collection rather than the cost of an item. If an item is expensive (above $50.00 in price), the selector shall see what other materials are available on the subject in the collection. If the title is added to the collection, it should be treated as any other item.
Weeding of Materials
Titles are withdrawn from the library’s collection through systematic weeding by the Library staff or because of loss or physical damage. Materials that have been lost or damaged may be replaced using the same criteria as for selection.
Systematic weeding of the collection is required to keep the collection responsive to customer’s needs, to insure its vitality and usefulness to the community, and to make room for newer materials. Weeding identifies damaged materials, ephemeral materials that are no longer used, out of date materials, and extra copies that are not being used. Weeding also helps identify areas or titles where additional material is needed, older editions that need to be updated, and uncertain about a title being withdrawn, standard bibliographic tools on the subject will be consulted to see if a title has historical or literary value. Last copies of titles can be offered to the Boston Public Library as Library of Last Recourse in the Commonwealth.
Withdrawn materials which are in good condition may be put in the book sale. No materials will be held for or given to individuals. The Collection Development Plan serves as a guide for weeding and for maintaining the collection as well as for the selection of materials.
Gifts
Gifts accepted by the Seekonk Public Library are judged upon the same basis as purchased materials. Gifts are accepted with the understanding that the Library, if it cannot use them, may at any time discard them in any way it sees fit. The Library does not appraise books or other gifts.
Evaluation of the Collection
The collection needs continuous evaluation in order to be sure that the Library is fulfilling its mission to provide materials in a timely manner to meet customers’ interests and needs. Statistical reports such as collection turnover rates, fill rates, reference fill rates are studied to determine how the collection is being used and how it could change to answer customer usage. The collections holdings may also be checked against standards bibliographic tools such as Public Library Catalog, Fiction Catalog, Children’s Catalog, Best Books for YA, etc. to be sure the Library is acquiring recommended materials. The materials themselves are examined for their physical condition and frequency of use. Customer input and community surveys are also used in evaluating the collection. Through ongoing quantitative and qualitative methods, the Director and staff monitor the collection to see that it is serving the public.
LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
5. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
6. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
THE FREEDOM TO READ
1. It is in the public interest for publishers and librarians to make available the widest diversity of views and expressions, including those which are unorthodox or
unpopular with the majority.
2. Publishers, librarians, and booksellers do not need to endorse every idea or
presentation contained in the books they make available. It would conflict with the public interest for them to establish their own political, moral, or aesthetic views as a standard for determining what books should be published or circulated.
3. It is contrary to the public interest for publishers or librarians to determine the acceptability of a book on the basis of the personal history or political affiliations of the author.
4. There is no place in our society for efforts to coerce the taste of others, to confine adults to the reading matter deemed suitable for adolescents, or to inhibit the efforts of writers to achieve expression.
5. It is not in the public interest to force a reader to accept with any book the
prejudgment of a label characterizing the book or author as subversive or
dangerous.
6. It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians, as guardians of the people’s freedom to read, to contest encroachments upon that freedom by individuals or groups seeking to impose their own standards or tastes upon the community at large.
7. It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians to give full meaning to the
freedom to read by providing books that enrich the quality and diversity of thought
and expression. By the exercise of this affirmative responsibility, they can
demonstrate that the answer to a bad book is a good one, the answer to a bad idea is
a good one.
FREEDOM TO VIEW
The FREEDOM TO VIEW, along with the freedom to speak, to hear, and to read, is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. In a free society, there is no place for censorship of any medium of expression. Therefore these principles are affirmed:
1. To provide the broadest possible access to film, video, and other audiovisual materials because they are a means for the communication of ideas. Liberty of circulation is essential to insure the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression.
2. To protect the confidentiality of all individuals and institutions using film, video, and other audiovisual materials.
3. To provide film, video, and other audiovisual materials which represent a diversity of views and expression. Selection of a work does not constitute or imply agreement with or approval of the content.
4. To provide a diversity of viewpoints without the constraint of labeling or prejudging film, video and other audiovisual materials on the basis of the moral, religious, or political beliefs of the producer of filmmaker or on the basis of controversial content.
5. To contest vigorously, by all lawful means, every encroachment upon the public’s freedom to view.
STATEMENT OF CONCERN
A singular obligation of the public library is to reflect differing points of view within the collection. The Seekonk Public Library does not endorse particular beliefs or views, nor does the selection of an item express or imply endorsements of the viewpoint of the author. Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of the contents, nor will items be sequestered.
Comments from members of the community about the collection or individual items in the collection frequently provide librarians with useful information about interest or needs that may not be adequately met by the collection. The Library welcomes expression of opinions by customers, but will be governed by the Book Selection Policy in making additions to or deleting items from the collection.
Customers with serious concerns about library materials will be asked to put their requests in writing by completing and signing the form entitled Statement of Concern.
Upon receipt of a formal, written request, the Director will ask background information from the staff as to criteria used in ordering the material in question, its place in the collection, and the reasons for having the material in the collection. Outside consultants may be asked for additional information as is pertinent to the subject in question.
The Director will, at the earliest possible date, study the information provided by the library staff and respond, in writing, to the person. The Director will keep the Board of Library Trustees informed of all Statements of Concern of library materials and the disposition of the requests.
In the event that the initiator of the request is not satisfied with the decision of the Director, they may request a meeting before the Board of Library Trustees by making a written request to the Chairman of the Board. Upon the receipt of the request, the Board may make the request an agenda item and they will be notified of the time and place of the board meeting. The Board of Library Trustees reserves the right to limit the length of the presentation and the number of speakers at the meeting.
After hearing from the person (s), the Board will determine whether the issue has been handled in accordance with stated policies and procedures of the Seekonk Public Library, will review the background information provided by library staff, will review the position of the customer, and will also review the decision of the Director. Based on the information presented, the Board may vote to uphold or override the decision of the Director.
Approved: 3/97, Revised: 6/97
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT |
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GENERAL FICTION AND RELATED AREAS
Seekonk Public Library is primarily a popular materials library where customers have access to current, high demand materials. There is no single standard for inclusion in the fiction collection. Additions to the collection are considered using the following criteria:
- Creativity and originality.
- True representation of current society.
- Effectiveness in sustaining reader interest.
- Plausible plot and characterization.
- First novels receiving favorable reviews.
Selection is based on evaluations by reviewers in but not limited to the following sources:
- Forecast
- Booklist
- Library Journal
- Publishers Weekly
- School Library Journal
- Book review section of the local newspapers
- Customer recommendation
In selecting fiction, consideration is especially given to reader demand and the popularity of the author.
An attempt is made to satisfy a public varying in education, background, and taste by purchasing various genres such as mystery, romance, horror, science fiction, thrillers and western.
Selection is made of the most competent, pleasing, and successful books in all categories of fiction writing in an effort to meet current literary trends and public demands.
An effort is made to insure availability of titles on school summer reading lists. When possible, paperback editions are purchased to fill these reading lists.
The Large Print Collection is intended to serve the visually impaired in the community. It is primarily fiction with the addition of some biographies and general interest non-fiction. Selection is made using the same criteria as regular fiction emphasizing reader demand.
The Talking Books are selected to parallel most areas of the general collection. Efforts are made to select a variety of topics and to appeal to a range of interest. The books on tape collection emphasizes fiction, including recent bestsellers, older works by popular authors and selected classics. Non-fiction selections include motivational works, biographies, health, and psychology. Both fiction and non-fiction may be purchased in abridged or unabridged versions, depending upon availability and the value of sound in conveying the subject matter to the listener.
NON-FICTION |
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Biography
The library collects biographies of popular politicians, entertainers, world leaders, people in the news and those whose lives are studied about by local students. The materials selected is written for the general public and literary merits are judged by reviews.
Computer Books
The Seekonk Public Library makes available a circulating collection of computer books that are selected to meet the needs of students, small business owners, consumers and home computer users. The primary emphasis is on the most popular computer software applications including word processing, spreadsheets, telecommunications and others introduced from basic through experienced levels. Books focusing on methods of retrieving online information especially via the Internet are also collected.
Food
The primary focus of the food collection is on popular recipes. Books introducing recipes of various ethnic groups are also collected. In order to meet the needs of our customers on special diets, the library purchases books with recipes designed for those dealing with dietary restrictions.
Literature
The literature collection contains classic works of authors from various time periods and countries. The primary focus is to support the curriculum of our student customers. Anthologies of both prose and poetry are collected to address the classic and contemporary voices of the authors. Criticisms of works studies at the local schools are collected to support the needs of students in the community.
Medicine
The library seeks to provide its customers with timely and accurate information concerning health matters. Primarily the works are popular in nature, written for the layman and address various diseases and preventive health topics. The emphasis in this area is on materials dealing with the promotion of health since the Seekonk Public Library assumes responsibility for collecting this subject area as part of the ABLE collection development collaborative. All books dealing with medicine are chosen on the credentials of the author and the currentness of the information.
Paranormal Phenomenon
The Seekonk Public Library makes available to its customers, materials which address the occult, parapsychology, astrology and other areas of this realm. The library does not seek to endorse these ideas, but to provide information to everyone. Materials are chosen with respect to the merits of the author and the reputation of the publisher. The demand for various topics within the group is also taken into consideration.
Personal Finance
The library seeks to collect books to aid the customers’ needs for financial information at various stages of life. The books chosen are popular in nature and are written for the general public. Books addressing personal investing such as mutual funds, stocks and bonds and other investment tools are purchased. Books concerned with strategies for saving toward goals such as a new home, college education and retirement are collected. The library is also concerned with the needs of those who are not financially set and collects books dealing with personal debt and bankruptcy.
Religion
The library respects the many theological philosophies followed by its customers. Books are selected addressing the beliefs and practices of various religious groups, denominations and sects. Its purpose is to provide, without bias, materials which will educate those who subscribe to a particular belief and those who wish to learn more about various beliefs. Materials are chosen on a basis of literary merit, the author’s background, the publisher’s reputation and timeliness.
Travel
The library collects books about traveling to nations at all points of the globe. These books provide a great deal of information about different countries to make our customers more familiar with the particular cultures and sites to see before visiting. These books are not only for the world traveler, but the armchair traveler as well. A larger position of the collection deals with local travel, primarily places to visit in New England.
REFERENCE |
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The Seekonk Public Library Reference Department seeks to collect materials for the expressed purpose of information dissemination. Materials are chosen for a general audience to meet the informational needs of young adults and adults in our community. Both paper and electronic formats are purchased to provide a wide range of access points to retrieve needed information. Selection of materials is based on reviews and the reputation of the publisher or author.
Encyclopedias – General
General topic encyclopedias are purchased for the Reference Department. These works provide a good foundation for students researching information for school assignments and for answers to general interest inquiries. Titles are chosen based primarily on reviews, ease of use and general popularity. One new paper version of the general encyclopedias is purchased each year to replace an older edition so that up-to-date information will be available in this format. Because of the low cost of general multimedia encyclopedias three titles are updated each year.
Encyclopedias – Subject
The library collects encyclopedias that provide general overviews of particular subjects. The sets chosen are for use by students and the general public. The subject areas are selected to meet the curriculum needs of students and for topics frequently requested to provide a starting point for more in-depth information.
Vertical File
The vertical file contains information on a number of topics. Materials are in the form of pamphlets, brochures and newspaper clippings. The subjects included supplement the reference and general collections providing additional information. Items pertaining to the Town of Seekonk and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts are included in this collection also.
Town Documents
The Reference Department collects documents such as minutes of meetings and annual reports from Seekonk town departments and commissions. The purpose is to keep customers informed as to what is occurring within the town government and as a historical resource for future reference.
PERIODICALS |
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Magazines
The Seekonk Public Library seeks to collect periodicals which are written for a general audience. The subject areas are varied to appeal to all members of the Seekonk community. Periodicals chosen are meant to provide timely information on current events and to meet educational, recreational and cultural needs.
Newspapers
The library subscribes to newspapers to keep our customers informed about area happenings and world events. The town newspaper is collected and retained indefinitely. Other area newspapers are purchased which feature information about Seekonk. A major state newspaper is included in the collection to provide regional and statewide information. Major national newspapers are collected to provide world and national news. Newspapers dealing with national business news are also purchased to meet the needs of our customers.
YOUNG ADULT COLLECTION |
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Fiction
The library seeks to provide Junior High and High School age customers with novels and classic works to meet their recreational and academic needs. The materials within somewhat overlap the children’s collection at one end of the scale and overlap the adult collection at the other end. Fiction titles are selected using the same criteria as that of the adult fiction collection. Materials focusing on the common concerns of this age group are the primary purchase along with such areas as mystery, suspense, science fiction, fantasy and westerns.
Non-fiction
Non-fiction material for the Young Adult audience is collected using the same criteria as that of the adult non-fiction materials. Concerns and issues faced by this age group such as sex education, current issues, personal appearance, coping information, college and careers are collected. Materials are also chosen to support the academic needs of students in the various areas of curriculum study.
CHILDREN’S ROOM
Materials in the Children’s Room are selected in response to the needs and interests of young people recognizing their diverse tastes, backgrounds, abilities and potentials. In selecting materials for children levels of reading, age and interest are primary determining factors, as well as school curriculum. Both paper and electronic formats are purchased to provide a wide range of access points to retrieve needed information. Evaluation is also given to the treatment of the subject for the age of the intended audience. Selection of materials is based on reviews and the reputation of the publisher or author.
Juvenile Fiction
Picture books, easy readers, board books -- Designed primarily for preschool and elementary grade children, these books are either fiction or nonfiction. Award winners, reputation of authors, illustrations, format, developmental significance and literary quality are all considered.
Juvenile Fiction
Hardcover chapter books, paperbacks -- Motivational and appealing material is selected to accommodate the reading, age, and interest levels of children. Popular themes requested by children are taken into consideration, along with traditional selection criteria such as award winners, reputation of authors, and literary quality. This collection also must supplement school library collections and Accelerated Reading Lists. Paperbacks supplement the collection with current and popular titles and are often duplicates of hardcover editions.
Non-fiction
Current, accurate and timely are the criteria for this collection, which must supplement the school curriculum. Encyclopedias are the core of the Children’s reference section and provide science, environment, endangered species, mammals, sports, and general information. Atlases and various ready-reference are added to the reference collection. Material must be comprehensive to intended audience and contribute to the subject area.
Non-print
Videos, talking books, audio cassettes, and CD-ROMs are selected with the same criteria as books taking into reputation of the distributor, consideration artistic merit, quality and presentation.
Family Center
This collection offers a variety of books, magazines and pamphlets on parenting. Videos on parenting topics are included in the Audiovisual collection. Emerging issues, currency, popularity and adult-level parenting information is taken into consideration.
Toys
These purchases are made to enhance the motor skills, sensory perception and development of young children. Toys do not circulate unless Children’s Dept. head makes exceptions.
Periodicals
Magazines are selected for their recreational and informational content and reflect popular trends. All magazines in the Children’s Room circulate and are retained for two years (because of space restrictions).
NON-PRINT MATERIALS |
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Videocassettes
Videos are selected to appeal to the broadest range of our customers. They are selected on the same standards applied to books. Emphasis is placed on feature films both current and classic, videocassettes for children, documentaries, cultural performances and informational videocassettes including travel, health, exercise and language instruction.
Sound Recordings/Music CD’s
CD-ROM’s are the primary sound recording format purchased for the Seekonk Public Library. They are selected to provide the best recordings available in a variety of musical styles (classical, rock, popular, jazz, folk, country and new age). While audiocassettes are being accepted as gifts and added to the collection, no music cassettes are being purchased.
Electronic Information and Software
Products in any format that enhances the availability of information will be added to the collection. These can be online services, or software. All selections will be made in accordance with standards used for other materials in the collection. They should be chosen in a wide variety of interests appealing to the broadest range of our customers.
COOPERATIVE COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT |
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NON-FICTION LAST COPY POLICY
The SAILS Network recognizes the need to evaluate collections according to the changing needs of the community. In order to do this, deselecting of materials will be necessary.
When a library is ready to deselect a non-fiction title (hardcover or paperback) which is the last copy of the title in the ABLE system, and more recent editions do not exist in the database, and the library has decided not to purchase a more recent edition, the following procedure will be instituted:
When the book is in the area of collection for the library, then it is up to that library to
decide if the book’s usefulness warrants keeping it. If the book is in poor condition, that
library will also decide whether to rebind or purchase a new copy
If the book is outside the library’s area of collection responsibility, it should be sent to the
appropriate library with the date of withdrawal and any catalog cards. Should the book
have some artifact value, a consultation between the two libraries may be needed. The
receiving library has no obligation to circulate the book; its only obligation is to review
and ascertain the book’s usefulness in the subject area.
Preservation Policy
SAILS recognizes and supports the concept of physical condition as a part of collection development policy. Changes in shelving practice, materials handling, minor repairs and binding policies which improve physical condition should be implemented by member libraries as part of this policy. In recognition of the importance of preservation, SAILS will sponsor one workshop per fiscal year concerning the proper handling or preservation of library materials. These workshops would be co-sponsored with another agency or the network could choose to subsidize the attendance of staff from member libraries of workshops being conducted outside the network. It will be the decision of the SAILS board as to how these programs will be provided.
Access Policy
It is the SAILS policy to extend access to materials and information to the greatest number of residents within its service area. Using public terminals, library patrons may place request for materials which are then delivered to the library of their choice. SAILS borrower’s cards are honored at all locations other than school libraries. Patrons have on site access to all member library’s collections with the exception of primary and secondary schools’ collections. Patrons accessing SAILS from a remote location, e.g. via Internet connection, may place reserves on any available material and designate their choice of SAILS library as pick up point.
Purpose
The purpose of the SAILS cooperative collection development plan is to facilitate the ability of network members to make acquisitions and deselection decisions which will achieve optimal diversity and depth of collections and avoid unwarranted duplication. A coordinated program of shared subject responsibility will promote the most efficient and effective use of funds for materials acquisition.
Assignment of collection development responsibilities
Each SAILS member library will assume responsibility for a specific subject area or areas. Within the area assigned they will make selection decisions based upon the information needs of the SAILS community as well as their local community and, within the limits of their financial resources, augment their purchasing in their assigned areas in a fashion appropriate to SAILSwide demand.
Based upon existing collection strength, local circulation and expressed willingness to assume responsibility for a particular subject area the following subject responsibilities have been made:
Attleboro 340 Law
Berkley 745.5 Handicrafts
Bridgewater 003 Computers
Dighton 636 Domesticated Animals*
East Bridgewater 780 Music
Easton 746 Other Decorative Arts
Foxborough 330 Economics
Halifax 370 Education
Hansen 643 Housing and Family Living
Lakeville 796 Athletics
Middleborough 658 General Management
Mansfield 360 Social Problems & Services
No. Attleborough 150 Psychology
Norfolk 940 European History
Norton 620 Engineering
Pembroke 616 Diseases
Plainville 364 Criminology
Plympton 636 Domesticated Animals*
Raynham 636 Domesticated Animals*
Rehoboth 635 Gardening
Seekonk 613 Promotion of Health
Taunton 973 U.S. History & Geography
West Bridgewater 641 Food & Drink
Wrentham 649 Child Rearing & Home Care of the Sick
* Dighton, Plympton & Raynham which have the smallest materials budgets will share responsibility for 636 Domesticated animals. The 6 libraries with the largest materials budgets will be asked to share responsibility for an additional subject; Taunton, Mansfield, and Seekonk 300 - Sociology, and Bridgewater, Foxborough, and Attleborough 913 – Geography and Travel. Year by year additional subject categories will be added until all of the categories contained on the SAILS DDC tables are included.
Ongoing Collection Development effort
Establishment of a standing Collection Development Committee
By the end of 1996 ABLE will establish a standing committee, charged with implementation of the cooperative collection development plan and with review and refinement of ABLE’s cooperative collection development activities. It will be composed of three library directors and three reference librarians. It will meet at least twice annually, and report to the annual ABLE Membership Meeting.
Continuing assessment
Continuing assessment will be undertaken to determine how well the plan is functioning and to identify needed modification to the plan. Assessment will be based on monitoring of circulation and collection growth. Periodic surveys of membership preferences will be undertaken as well.
Review of plan
The standing committee will review the entire plan one year after its inception. Subsequently periodic reviews will be undertaken as needed.
Inclusion of additional subject categories
Based on continuing assessment and its review of the cooperative development plan the standing committee will recommend additional subject categories to include and ask member libraries to assume responsibility for them. It is hoped that one third of the remaining categories will be assigned after the first year, and that a like number will be assigned in succeeding years until all subjects are included in the plan.