Cameron Public Library

POLICIES

MATERIALS SELECTION POLICY 

PURPOSE

1.  To guide the staff in the selection of materials.

2.  To inform the public about selection principles.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR SELECTION   

                The staff of the library will be responsible for material selection, using their knowledge of the collection, the needs of the community, and their critical judgment of the materials available.

CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

1.  Acquisitions are considered in terms of the following standards:

                a.  Contemporary significance or permanent value.

                b.  Accuracy.

                c.  Authority of author in the field.

                d.  Relation of the work to the existing collection.

                e.  Price, format.

2.  Evaluation of works of information and opinion:

                a.  Authority of the author.

                b.  Comprehensiveness and depth of treatment.

                c.  Objectivity of approach.

                d.  Accuracy of information.

                e.  Clarity and logic of presentation.

                f.  Represents varying points of view

 3.  Evaluation of works of imagination:

                a.  Represents important movements, genre, trends of  national cultures.

                b.  Vitality and originality.

                c.  Artistic presentation and experimentation.

                d.  Sustained interest..

                e.  Effective characterization.

                f.  Authenticity of historical or social setting.

4.  In compliance with collection development policy; as follows and made a part of this document:

COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT

1.  Selection of  library materials will be made based on Collection Development Policy.

2.  Library staff and patrons may recommend materials for purchase.

3.  The Library Director makes the final selection, based on availability, need, choice of   material and available funds.

4.  Check the card catalog to make sure the library does not already have the item.

5.  Purchases not to exceed amount allowed by current budget.

6.  Amounts to be used in each area, shall be figured by using the Department Supply

     Fund from the general budget and dividing it according to the following percentages.

     The following percentages are based on circulation statistics taken from the library’s

      computer.

COLLECTION DISTRIBUTION  

General Distribution of Department Supply Budget:

                Bindery                                                  1% of total

                Contractual Obligations/Support           9% of total

                Miscellaneous Supplies                     11% of total

                Collection Development                     5% of total

Distribution of remaining Department Supply Budget:

                Children                                                 25%

                Adult Non-fiction                                            20%

                Adult Fiction                                                    30%

                Reference                                                              2%

                Genealogy                                                           1%

                Periodicals                                                           12%

                AV Materials                                                               10%       

SPECIFIC PERCENTAGE DISTRIBUTION

                CHILDREN: (25% of total)

                  JUV (juvenile fiction)                                   15%

                  JN (juvenile non-fiction)                                   14%

                  JB  (juvenile biography)                                            1%

                  E  (easy reader/picture books)                    53%

                  EN (easy reader non-fiction)                                   9%

                  RAL (read-along - book & cassette)                  3%

                  EBD  (easy reader board books)                          4%

                  Y   (Young adult)                                                         1%

                ADULT FICTION :  (30% of total)

                ADULT NON-FICTION:  (20% of total)

                                000     General Works       1%

                                100      Psychology            1%

                                200        Religion                1%

                                300       Social Studies        10%

                                400      Language                   3%

                                500       Science                      2%

                                600        Applied Science        15%

                                700      Fine Arts                    3%

                                800      Literature                5%

                                900       History                   5%

                                Q       Over-size books           51%

                                f        Coffee table books      1%

                                B       Biography                     2%

updated Septemger 12, 2008
312 N. Chestnut; Cameron, MO 64429
voice phone: 816-632-2311 -- fax: 816-632-2969
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