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The Role of the
Collection Development Policy
A collection development policy is an essential library policy related to
intellectual freedom issues. Collection development is the process of building a
library with well-selected and well-maintained materials. It includes selecting
and deselecting materials, planning and budgeting for additional acquisitions,
and evaluating the collection. The policy should flow from and support the
library's mission statement.
Selection is the part of the collection development process through which the
library decides what materials to acquire. Whereas a selection policy is written
to guide library staff, the collection development policy serves both the staff
and the library patrons.
A collection development policy is an excellent tool for a library to promote
intellectual freedom and discourage calls for censorship. Such a policy might
include the Library Bills of Rights, Freedom to Read, Freedom to View, and other
intellectual freedom statements, to clarify the library's philosophical stance.
A library may also develop and include its own intellectual freedom statement
designed for the local community. In addition, collection policies usually
include the library's mission statement, the purpose of the policy, the audience
to whom it is addressed, descriptions of the community, the users, and the
collection, and cooperative collection agreements. Subject profiles, formats and
collection levels describe in detail what the library will collect. Clear
statements on such matters tell the public what they can expect in the
collection and provide good defense in the face of challenges. A collection
development policy can also include procedures to evaluate complaints and
challenged materials, such as the Reconsideration of Library Material form, to
ensure a fair, balanced process.
Guidelines for Collection Development Policies
Many guidelines for writing collection development policies are available.
The American Library Association's Guide for Written Collection Policy
Statements (1996) is a standard reference for all types of libraries. Other
guidelines and sample policies are included in the
Further Resources section below.
Additional Preparations
In addition to developing and publicizing a collection development policy, a
library may take these additional steps to promote intellectual freedom and to
prepare for challenges:
- Create a file that includes notes, comments, and reviews about controversial
holdings.
- Inform the public relations officer about controversial or potentially
controversial materials and issues.
- Maintain in-service training to acquaint staff with the collection
development policy and with the method for handling complaints.
- Maintain lines of communication with civic, religious, educational, and
political bodies in the community.
- Be aware of censorship attacks in surrounding areas or in communities
similar to the local community. Inform staff of such activities or events.
- Maintain familiarity with any local, municipal, and state legislation
pertaining to intellectual freedom and First Amendment rights.
- Participate in Banned Books Week observances or programs and become active
with intellectual freedom committees in your state association or local
organizations.
Further Resources:
Carroll County Public Library (Maryland) Collection Development Policy
http://internet.carr.org/adobe/colldev.pdf (Permission to link to
this site was granted by Gail Griffith, Deputy Director, Carroll County Public
Library)
Elements of a Materials Selection Policy. New Hampshire Library Association.
http://www.state.nh.us/nhla/if1.htm (Permission to link to this site
was granted by Mary Ahlgren, Intellectual Freedom Committee chair for the New
Hampshire Library Association)
Fordham, Amy E. "The Collection Development Planning Process." In Special
Libraries Management Handbook: The Basics. University of South Carolina College
of Library and Information Science, 1999-2004.
http://www.libsci.sc.edu/bob/class/clis724/SpecialLibrariesHandbook/collection.htm
(Permission to link to this site was granted by Bob Williams, instructor for the
course in which this document was written)
Guide for Written Collection Policy Statements. 2nd Ed. Chicago: ALA, 1996.
Guidelines for a Collection Development Policy Using the Conspectus Model.
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, Section on
Acquisition and Collection Development. 2001.
http://www.ifla.org/VII/s14/nd1/gcdp-e.pdf
Morton Grove Public Library (Illinois) Collection Development and Materials
Selection Policy. 1992, 1995.
http://www.webrary.org/inside/colldevtoc.html (Permission to link to
this site was granted by Kevin Justie, assistant director, Morton Grove Public
Library)
Northwest Kansas Library System, Collection Development Policy.
Last revised: November 2, 2005
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