Collection Policy Review 2023

City of Chandler — Regular Meeting (2023-09-19)

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https://chandlerlibrary.org/policies/ 
 
Library Board Approved 9.20.2023 
CHANDLER PUBLIC LIBRARY 
COLLECTION MANAGEMENT POLICY 
 
Mission 
 
This Collection Management Policy supports the mission of Chandler Public Library, which is to 
inspire intellectual discovery, creative entertainment, and life-long learning through robust 
information resources that connect communities to a world of knowledge and new ideas. We 
provide collections, information resources, and innovative tools and services to support inquiry, and 
recognize their need to be available for a diverse audience anywhere, anytime, on any device. 
 
Purpose 
 
The Collection Management Policy guides Library staff in the development and maintenance of the 
Library’s physical and digital collections. This policy outlines collection management practices, as 
well as providing consistency in selection, acquisition, and retention decisions. The Collection 
Management Policy is a facet of strategic planning, and as such is a living document that will be 
reviewed regularly to ensure that it continuously aligns with and addresses current collection 
concerns. Through collection development and management, Chandler Public Library collects, 
organizes, and ensures long-term, durable access to information in varied formats.  
 
Responsibility 
 
Though the overall responsibility for library collections and resources oversight rests with the 
Library Senior Manager, direct responsibility for selection, evaluation, and deselection of library 
materials is delegated to the Collection Services Department and to additional appointed library 
staff. 
 
Selection of Library Materials 
 
Budget allocation by subject and format is based on public demand, usage statistics, and available 
resources. Keeping in mind physical space requirements and the Library’s resources, selectors use 
several criteria when evaluating material, including general and specialized review media, trade 
publications, publishers’ and booksellers’ catalogs and flyers, and vendor prepared lists. In addition, 
materials may be selected in response to patron requests, from donations, or from evaluation of 
specific materials. Hold ratios in the circulating collection are also monitored for repurchasing after 
publication dates to satisfy community demand.  
 
Per City of Chandler Code 33-5, the Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read statements of the 
American Library Association are guiding principles of the material selection process; the American 
Library Association, however, has no direct oversight on local library operations.  
 
Criteria for material selection include: 
• 
Relevance to local interest, popular culture, or a larger literary movement/style/trend 
• 
Vitality, originality, and unique voice 
• 
Artistic presentation and production quality 
• 
Overall entertainment or educational value

https://chandlerlibrary.org/policies/ 
 
Library Board Approved 9.20.2023 
• 
Representation of audiences of diverse backgrounds, interests, and reading abilities 
• 
Comprehensiveness, depth of treatment, and authority of author 
• 
Added value the material would provide to the existing collection 
• 
Availability of content via the internet, subscription databases, or other digital means 
• 
Value of the resource in relation to its cost 
 
Items need not meet all criteria for inclusion in the collection. 
 
Gifts and Donated Materials 
 
Chandler Public Library accepts gifts of books and other materials, with the understanding that they 
may be added to collections by meeting the same selection criteria as materials purchased for the 
collection. Gifts not added to the collection will be given to the Friends of Chandler Public Library 
organization to be sold for the benefit of the Library. 
 
If materials in languages other than English are donated, Library staff will evaluate these materials 
for possible inclusion in the world language collection, working with an established local group to 
meet community needs whenever possible. 
 
Interlibrary Loans 
 
Chandler Public Library’s holdings are popular and not archival in nature; when the Library cannot 
provide requested materials, interlibrary loan networks may be used for the purpose of accessing 
materials to satisfy the needs of patrons if they are beyond the scope of the Library’s collection. 
 
Reconsideration of Library Materials 
 
Library patrons with concerns about library materials are encouraged to communicate their 
concerns with a library staff member. If they still feel further actions are desirable regarding a 
specific library item, they may fill out and submit a Request for Reconsideration form. Details of the 
reconsideration process and the form are available on the library’s Policies page.  
 
Collection Maintenance and Deselection 
 
As Chandler Public Library uses a systemwide collection approach with library materials transferring 
freely between all locations, Collection Management staff will coordinate all collection maintenance 
activities and supervise decisions related to transfer and deselection of library materials. Library 
staff will be selected and trained to act as collection liaisons at the Library branch level. 
 
In addition, an ongoing deselection program will be maintained at the system-wide level, based on 
current professional library standards, data-based collection criteria, and shelf capacity of library 
facilities. Factors to be considered in removing materials from the collection include: 
• 
Physical condition of the material 
• 
Materials containing misleading, outdated, or inaccurate information 
• 
Titles no longer in demand or of decreased usage, especially those with multiple copies 
• 
Subject matter no longer of current interest or lacking historical or literary significance 
• 
Older editions of revised titles, especially in nonfiction collections

https://chandlerlibrary.org/policies/ 
 
Library Board Approved 9.20.2023 
• 
Demand in format or subject area compared to current holdings 
• 
Local interest in valuable or unique “out-of-print” titles 
 
Discarded materials become surplus property and may be given to Friends of Chandler Public 
Library to sell for the benefit of the Library. 
 
Access 
 
Chandler Public Library affirms the right of its users to read and view freely, pursue information on 
diverse topics, and explore varied viewpoints free of censorship. The Library respects the intellectual 
freedom of its users and adheres to the principles expressed by the American Library Association 
(ALA). The Library’s collection strives to reflect the diverse origins, backgrounds, and viewpoints of 
the community it serves, including marginalized and unrepresented groups. The Library opposes 
any attempts by individuals or groups to censor items in its collection.  
 
As such, Chandler Public Library endorses the following:  
The ALA Library Bill of Rights 
The ALA Freedom to Read Statement 
The ALA Freedom to View Statement  
ALA’s Diverse Collections- An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights