Collection Policies
Collection Policies
PURPOSE
The purpose of this document is to describe the method by which library materials are selected, maintained and evaluated, and to inform the public about the principles of materials selection for the library system.The approval and adoption of the Collection Development Policy is the responsibility of the Hall County Library System Board of Trustees.Implementation of this policy is the responsibility of the library director and the library system staff.The policy will be reviewed periodically.Limitations on the budget, changes in population, diversity in population, current events, technological innovations, the collections of other institutions, availability of materials from other sources, and other unforeseen situations and conditions are factors to be considered and monitored.
HALL COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM AT A GLANCE:
The Hall County Library System has libraries throughout Hall County.The library system participates in a statewide and national interlibrary loan network and reciprocal borrowing agreements with other types of libraries.Professionally trained and certified librarians are employed by the system to oversee collection development.
HALL COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM MISSION STATEMENT
The HCLS connects you to the tools that empower you to explore the world and enrich your life.
HALL COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM VISION STATEMENT
The Board of Trustees and the Staff of the Hall County Library System envision a library that will be recognized as a dynamic force in the community by creating an environment that nurtures intellectual freedom, sparks lifelong learning, offers open access to resources, supports new technologies, respects cultural diversity, and embraces the future.
PRINCIPLES
The Hall County Library Board and staff recognize and adhere to the principles of intellectual freedom found in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and in the American Library Association Bill of Rights.Efforts are made to insure that a wide variety of views are represented and made available to all citizens regardless of age, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or social or political views.Materials are not added or removed from the collection for partisan or doctrinal reasons.The parent or legal guardian is ultimately responsible for the selection and use of a minor age patron’s library materials.The selection of materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may come into the possession of children.The library system will not mark materials to show approval or disapproval of contents, and materials are not restricted in access except for the purpose of protecting them from theft or damage.Staff will not develop or arrange the collection based on the curriculum needs of local schools or institutions of higher education.S
ELECTION CRITERIA
The selection of print, non-print, and electronic resources does not constitute an endorsement of contents.The Hall County Library system recognizes that many materials are considered controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons.Reasonable effort is made to provide a balanced collection, equitable access to materials, and a collection that meets the reading and information demands of the general public.Materials are selected from review sources using standard library criteria based on the characteristics of the materials, characteristics of the community, budget limitations, current deficiencies in the collection and library roles. Requests for purchase from the general public are welcomed when the materials meet the criteria established by the collection development procedure.The library system cannot honor every patron request or purchase every item desired, however.Patrons are encouraged to make use of the library system’s reciprocal borrowing agreements to obtain materials not in the collection.
SPECIAL COLLECTION MATERIALS
Hall County Library System will develop and maintain a collection of local history and genealogy materials.This will serve as a research collection and will be housed in the special collections area of the Headquarters Library Branch.The collection will include Georgia authors, genealogy materials and Southern history materials.Rare books, documents, regalia, manuscripts, autographed works and valuable works may be assigned to this area for security purposes, and special preservation techniques may be utilized to maintain the integrity of such items.Singular materials of this type may require that use be confined to direct supervision by library staff.Individual family histories shall not normally be purchased for the collection, but will be accepted as gifts and subjected to standard collection criteria.GIFTS(see separate gift policy)
PATRON REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS
Patron complaints regarding materials that are a part of the library collection are handled in the following manner:
The Hall County Library System receives numerous requests from local authors to add their books which they have self-published or published at their own expense through one of the many independent publishing companies.
Although this type of publishing has experienced rapid growth, these books often do not meet the requirements outlined in the HCLS Collection Development Policy to be candidates for the permanent collection. They typically have not received a review in one or more the of the major review journals (such as Library Journal, School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and Publisher's Weekly), and may not meet other criteria the Library normally sets for inclusion in its collections.
HCLS wishes to support local authors while maintaining the standards needed in its permanent collections. Therefore, the Library has established a Local Author Collection at the Gainesville Library and will accept one donated copy of a local author’s work for consideration.
Guidelines for placement in the Local Author Collection are as follows:
127 Main St. NW
Gainesville, GA 30501
The Hall County Library System offers a small area at the Gainesville Library for local authors who want their work sampled by library users. This collection is designed to give new and emerging writers, especially those whose books are not yet widely reviewed or stocked by libraries and bookstores, an opportunity to be read by their friends and neighbors. Please review the Local Author Policy for full guidelines before submitting a title for consideration. Submission of this form does not guarantee selection and inclusion in the local author collection.
To submit your book for consideration, please complete the following:
The library system strives to maintain a current, balanced collection of materials that meets the needs of our diverse population. An important component in maintaining this collection is weeding, the process of reviewing materials in the library collection to determine appropriateness based on specific criteria set by the library. Weeding is done to:
Misleading and/or factually inaccurate
Ugly, worn out and beyond mending
Superseded by a new edition, new title or better book
on the subject.
Trivial, of no discernible literary or scientific merit
Irrelevant to the needs and interests of our community
Elsewhere—material may be obtained easily through
PINES or ILL.
This is an ongoing and constant process. Titles recommended for withdrawal from the collection will not be replaced automatically. The replacement decision will be made on a case by case basis taking into account the title’s accuracy and availability, current holdings on the topic, and demand for the title.
Weeding will not be used as a means for withdrawing challenged or controversial materials. These materials will be handled according to the library system’s Collection Development Policy using a “Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials.” Materials withdrawn from the collection will be donated to the Friends of the Hall County Library for their book sale or discarded.
| E. Collection Development |
Approved by: |
Date: |
01/27/98 |
|
Revised Date: |
Date: 4/27/9901/25/00
4/27/10 |
||
PURPOSE
The purpose of this document is to describe the method by which library materials are selected, maintained and evaluated, and to inform the public about the principles of materials selection for the library system.The approval and adoption of the Collection Development Policy is the responsibility of the Hall County Library System Board of Trustees.Implementation of this policy is the responsibility of the library director and the library system staff.The policy will be reviewed periodically.Limitations on the budget, changes in population, diversity in population, current events, technological innovations, the collections of other institutions, availability of materials from other sources, and other unforeseen situations and conditions are factors to be considered and monitored.
HALL COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM AT A GLANCE:
The Hall County Library System has libraries throughout Hall County.The library system participates in a statewide and national interlibrary loan network and reciprocal borrowing agreements with other types of libraries.Professionally trained and certified librarians are employed by the system to oversee collection development.
HALL COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM MISSION STATEMENT
The HCLS connects you to the tools that empower you to explore the world and enrich your life.
HALL COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM VISION STATEMENT
The Board of Trustees and the Staff of the Hall County Library System envision a library that will be recognized as a dynamic force in the community by creating an environment that nurtures intellectual freedom, sparks lifelong learning, offers open access to resources, supports new technologies, respects cultural diversity, and embraces the future.
PRINCIPLES
The Hall County Library Board and staff recognize and adhere to the principles of intellectual freedom found in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and in the American Library Association Bill of Rights.Efforts are made to insure that a wide variety of views are represented and made available to all citizens regardless of age, race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation or social or political views.Materials are not added or removed from the collection for partisan or doctrinal reasons.The parent or legal guardian is ultimately responsible for the selection and use of a minor age patron’s library materials.The selection of materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may come into the possession of children.The library system will not mark materials to show approval or disapproval of contents, and materials are not restricted in access except for the purpose of protecting them from theft or damage.Staff will not develop or arrange the collection based on the curriculum needs of local schools or institutions of higher education.S
ELECTION CRITERIA
The selection of print, non-print, and electronic resources does not constitute an endorsement of contents.The Hall County Library system recognizes that many materials are considered controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons.Reasonable effort is made to provide a balanced collection, equitable access to materials, and a collection that meets the reading and information demands of the general public.Materials are selected from review sources using standard library criteria based on the characteristics of the materials, characteristics of the community, budget limitations, current deficiencies in the collection and library roles. Requests for purchase from the general public are welcomed when the materials meet the criteria established by the collection development procedure.The library system cannot honor every patron request or purchase every item desired, however.Patrons are encouraged to make use of the library system’s reciprocal borrowing agreements to obtain materials not in the collection.
SPECIAL COLLECTION MATERIALS
Hall County Library System will develop and maintain a collection of local history and genealogy materials.This will serve as a research collection and will be housed in the special collections area of the Headquarters Library Branch.The collection will include Georgia authors, genealogy materials and Southern history materials.Rare books, documents, regalia, manuscripts, autographed works and valuable works may be assigned to this area for security purposes, and special preservation techniques may be utilized to maintain the integrity of such items.Singular materials of this type may require that use be confined to direct supervision by library staff.Individual family histories shall not normally be purchased for the collection, but will be accepted as gifts and subjected to standard collection criteria.GIFTS(see separate gift policy)
PATRON REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS
Patron complaints regarding materials that are a part of the library collection are handled in the following manner:
- The patron is offered an opportunity to file a formal written complaint using the Board adopted PATRON REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS form.A copy of the Hall County Library System Collection Development Policy will be provided to the patron.
- The request will be considered by the library system materials review committee.The committee is composed of professional library staff appointed by the library director.
- The library director will assume responsibility for, and the possession of, the completed request form and the materials in question.The director will acknowledge the request in writing to the complainant.The materials review committee will begin the review process within seven business days after their receipt of the filed complaint. The committee will review the materials and make recommendations. The director will inform the complainant in writing of the decision of the materials review committee.
- The decision of the materials review committee may be appealed to the Hall County Library Board by making a request in writing to the Board.The Board decision will be considered final.
- The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
- 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 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 approval.
- Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
- Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
- A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
- 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.
| Local Author Policy | Approved by: Board of Trustees |
Date: | 8/23/2022 |
| Revised Date: | |||
The Hall County Library System receives numerous requests from local authors to add their books which they have self-published or published at their own expense through one of the many independent publishing companies.
Although this type of publishing has experienced rapid growth, these books often do not meet the requirements outlined in the HCLS Collection Development Policy to be candidates for the permanent collection. They typically have not received a review in one or more the of the major review journals (such as Library Journal, School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, and Publisher's Weekly), and may not meet other criteria the Library normally sets for inclusion in its collections.
HCLS wishes to support local authors while maintaining the standards needed in its permanent collections. Therefore, the Library has established a Local Author Collection at the Gainesville Library and will accept one donated copy of a local author’s work for consideration.
Guidelines for placement in the Local Author Collection are as follows:
- Authors must be current Hall County residents. If the author is not a Hall County resident, the book must take place in Hall County or otherwise demonstrate a strong local interest.
- Each book must be approved by the Adult or Juvenile book selection team before being accepted for placement. Library staff are not able to provide reviews or feedback on these materials.
- Books for the Local Author Collection will be accepted as donations from the author or publisher; however, at the discretion of the selection team, a book may be considered for purchase if published reviews in standard sources are available or there is strong evidence of appropriateness.
- If an author’s work is selected, HCLS bears no obligation for marketing that work. Authors are fully responsible for promoting their work.
- Items will be clearly labeled as belonging to this special collection.
- Items will rotate out of the collection and may be withdrawn after one year unless they have circulated regularly.
- Self-published family histories or other similar genealogical materials may instead be added to the Sybil Wood McCray Genealogy and Local History Collection.
- Materials that are donated become the property of the Hall County Library System and as such cannot be returned to the donor.
- Books donated to the Local Author Collection must be professionally bound.
- Text books and eBooks will not be considered for inclusion.
- Submissions must be accompanied by the HCLS Local Author Collection submission form. Send a completed Local Author Submission Request form (see next page), and a copy of your published, bound and printed work to:
127 Main St. NW
Gainesville, GA 30501
The Hall County Library System offers a small area at the Gainesville Library for local authors who want their work sampled by library users. This collection is designed to give new and emerging writers, especially those whose books are not yet widely reviewed or stocked by libraries and bookstores, an opportunity to be read by their friends and neighbors. Please review the Local Author Policy for full guidelines before submitting a title for consideration. Submission of this form does not guarantee selection and inclusion in the local author collection.
To submit your book for consideration, please complete the following:
Book Title:_____________________________________________________________________
Author’s name: _________________________________________________________________
Address: ______________________________________________________________________
Local contact number: ___________________________________________________________
E-mail:________________________________________________________________________
Please check one or more of the following:
______ I am a Hall County resident.
______ My book is set in Hall County.
______ My book holds particular local interest: ____________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
If your book has been reviewed, please list the title of the review publication, page number, & date of the review. You may also attach reviews, publicity materials, or other supplementary information if available.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
Please send one copy of your book along with a completed copy of this form to:
Hall County Library Collection Development Team (Local Author Submission)
127 Main St. NW
Gainesville, GA 30501
|
BB. Weeding |
Approved by: |
Date: |
01/24/06 |
|
Revised Date: |
|||
The library system strives to maintain a current, balanced collection of materials that meets the needs of our diverse population. An important component in maintaining this collection is weeding, the process of reviewing materials in the library collection to determine appropriateness based on specific criteria set by the library. Weeding is done to:
- ensure the collection meets the current and anticipated needs of the community,
- make the most effective use of available space,
- remove outdated and misleading materials from the collection, and
- remove materials that are damaged or in poor condition from the collection.
Misleading and/or factually inaccurate
Ugly, worn out and beyond mending
Superseded by a new edition, new title or better book
on the subject.
Trivial, of no discernible literary or scientific merit
Irrelevant to the needs and interests of our community
Elsewhere—material may be obtained easily through
PINES or ILL.
This is an ongoing and constant process. Titles recommended for withdrawal from the collection will not be replaced automatically. The replacement decision will be made on a case by case basis taking into account the title’s accuracy and availability, current holdings on the topic, and demand for the title.
Weeding will not be used as a means for withdrawing challenged or controversial materials. These materials will be handled according to the library system’s Collection Development Policy using a “Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials.” Materials withdrawn from the collection will be donated to the Friends of the Hall County Library for their book sale or discarded.