A collection development policy (CDP) is a formal written statement that guides a library's selection of materials. It establishes guidelines for selecting and deselecting items based on criteria like subject coverage, levels of difficulty, formats, and balance. A CDP provides consistency during personnel changes and allows libraries to rationalize purchases. It also helps libraries support their mission and answer questions about their goals, selection process, and handling of controversial materials. An effective CDP includes elements like the community profile, collection goals, selection criteria, and procedures for collection maintenance and reconsideration of materials.

1. LIB 610 Collection Management Summer 2010 Policies and Procedures Developing a Collection Management Policy

2. What is Policy? An Australian view: A Policy is an agreed statement that sets out what the school aims to do and the guidelines it will use to carry out its activities. It establishes a unique vision for the school and sets out principles to be followed by those responsible for turning policy into action. Wodonga Primary School, 2001., No. 37 Policy Writing Procedure Policy. Cited in Policy Writing for Teacher Librarians June 27, 2010 Policies and Procedures 2

3. What is a collection development policy? collection development policy (CDP) A formal written statement of the principles guiding a library's selection of materials, including the criteria used in making selection and deselection decisions (fields covered, degrees of specialization, levels of difficulty, languages, formats, balance, etc.) and policies concerning gifts and exchanges. An unambiguously worded collection development policy can be very helpful in responding to challenges from pressure groups. June 27, 2010 Policies and Procedures 3

4. Another definition American Library Association: “documents which define the scope of a library's existing collections, plan for the continuing development of resources, identify collection strengths, and outline the relationship between selection philosophy and the institution's goals, general selection criteria, and intellectual freedom.” Guide for written collection policy statements (1987), cited in van Zijl, C. (1998, September). The why, what, and how of collection development policies. South African Journal of Library & Information Science, 66(3), 99. June 27, 2010 Policies and Procedures 4

5. Why have a policy? June 27, 2010 Policies and Procedures 5 It clarifies policy decisions It provides a forum for limited and specific conversations with faculty members A written policy can also provide a basis for institutional continuity over time and through personnel changes. a policy that is regularly reviewed and updated can help the curator weather the vicissitudes of budget woes A Practical Approach to Writing a Collection Development Policy

6. One important reason To allow for balance Without the authority of a collection development policy to stand on, it is impossible when confronted by an irate lecturer or librarian to rationalise why some material should be purchased whilst other is rejected. Faculty members and the management of the academic institution have often demanded that the library purchase items which serve the needs of only one or two users and in fact sometimes expect such material to be housed in their own offices permanently. ). The why, what, and how of collection development policies June 27, 2010 Policies and Procedures 6

7. The purpose of a collection development policy The purpose of a collection development policy is to create a collection of library materials that supports the library's mission. All decisions about the kinds of materials to be collected or accessed should be made with the mission statement in mind. . . The collection development policy sets goals for the collection that reflect the library's mission. Writing a Collection Development Policy What is the purpose of a policy? June 27, 2010 7 Policies and Procedures

8. The functions of a policy Use as a planning document Use as a selection tool Use as a means of protection Use as a decision-making tool Writing a Collection Development Policy June 27, 2010 Policies and Procedures 8

9. Questions to answer What is the goal of the library resource collection? What are the objectives of the library resource collection? Who is responsible for reviewing the development of the collection evaluating, selecting and weeding resources Policy Writing for Teacher Librarians: Collection Development Policy June 27, 2010 Policies and Procedures 9

10. More questions What types of resources are selected for the library resource collection? How are resources selected? What criteria are used for the evaluation of resources? What criteria are used for the weeding of resources? Policy Writing for Teacher Librarians: Collection Development Policy June 27, 2010 Policies and Procedures 10

11. Crucial questions How will the library resource centre deal with controversial materials? Follow this link for procedures on dealing with challenged material. How will the development of the collection be reviewed? What are the collection priorities for the year? Policy Writing for Teacher Librarians: Collection Development Policy June 27, 2010 Policies and Procedures 11

12. Elements of the Collection Development Policy Community Profile Community Needs Assessment Collection Goals Selection Responsibility Selection Criteria Acquisitions Collection Evaluation and Assessment Weeding Reconsideration of Library Materials Policy Review and Revision June 27, 2010 Policies and Procedures 12

13. Kentucky recommendations June 27, 2010 Policies and Procedures 13

14. More from Kentucky June 27, 2010 Policies and Procedures 14 1.5 Develops Library Media Program policies, e.g. materials selection, collection development, circulation, challenged materials, copyright and technology. 1.16 Follows the SBDM approved selection policy that includes a procedure for reconsideration of materials