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Library Materials Selection Policy Back to Library Purpose The purpose of this policy is to serve as a guide to the Library staff for achieving quality and relevance in the acquisition and retention of materials in a collection designed to support the mission of the Library and the mission of the College. Objectives of the Library The major purpose of the library is to participate in the educational program of the Massasoit Community college by providing materials: that will enrich and support the curriculum that will meet the informational needs of the students, staff, and community members. that will stimulate the development of critical thinking skills,  growth in factual knowledge, literacy appreciation, aesthetic values, and ethical standards; that supply a background of information which will enable users to make intelligent judgements in their daily lives; on diverse subjects and learning and interest levels necessary to complement the open door policy of the community college. We believe that the maintenance of a free society requires free access to different points of view and a conscientious effort is made to include material concerning all sides of an issue. To this end, the library affirms its acceptance of the principles enumerated in the Library Bill of Rights as adopted by the American Library Association. Responsibilities for Selection Collection development in an academic setting should be a cooperative effort between the library faculty and the teaching faculty. The professional library staff and the teaching faculty have joint responsibility for the selection of library materials. As subject experts, members of the teaching faculty have primary responsibility for the selection of library materials in their subject areas. Each individual member of the faculty should regularly examine the library holdings in his/her subject field and assess their adequacy with respect to current teaching emphasis. Each designated liaison librarian (Division Librarian) works with faculty members within the appropriate Division, Department, or Program to insure uniform application of this policy. In addition, the faculty is encouraged to suggest materials for the development of the reference and general collections. Final judgement regarding the relevance of potential additions rests with the library faculty. If faculty members consistently fail to recommend material or to respond to reviews and notices of books in their subject fields, the librarian will encourage them to take a more active part in selection. If this encouragement fails, the professional library staff will make appropriate selections. The librarian is also responsible for the selection of general materials not specifically related to the curriculum and for maintaining a balance between the various subject areas and between standard and current works. Suggestions from students, staff, and the community members for the purchase of library materials are also welcomed. Recommended items will be given careful consideration and will be purchased if they meet the standards outlined in our selection policy. Selection Evaluation Criteria Print materials being considered for addition to the collection will be evaluated with attention given to: importance of subject matter to curriculum written reviews (authoritativeness, treatment and accuracy of contents) readability price format availability of material elsewhere in community scarcity of material available interest by student or faculty cross – discipline/interdisciplinary view Serial publications being considered for addition to the collection will be evaluated with attention given to: importance of title to the curriculum scarcity of materials in other formats access through standard indexes presentation on the community college students' reading and interest level number of journals received in the subject area price Standards for Specific Areas Literary fiction – items in this category are selected according to the same criteria as other library materials. Non- fiction - items in this category are selected according to the same criteria as other library materials. Popular works – popular fiction is a small part of the collection. However, when items in this category are selected, it is according to the same criteria as other library materials. Popular non-fiction is selected according to the same criteria as other library materials. Reference materials – The reference collection includes general and specialized reference sources, which support the curriculum. It also includes selective sources, which cover subjects, which may not be specifically related to the curriculum but are of current interest. Continuations - These should be carefully selected, since unlike monographs, continuations commit funds in succeeding fiscal years. Textbooks – The library does not purchase the specific editions of textbooks used in the college courses; however, the library may purchase textbooks that provide a good introduction and good general overview of a certain topic. The library does not purchase workbooks or study guides. Gifts - It shall be made clear to the donor that only those gifts meeting our selection standards will be considered for the collection. Gifts are accepted only when they add strength to the collection and impose no significant limitations on housing, handling or disposition of duplicate or undesirable items. Gifts that are not suited to the library collection, because of age, format, topic, physical condition, or other factors will be disposed of according to College policies for surplus items. Multiple copies - Because of limited funds, multiple copies of a given title are not automatically purchased. Multiple copies of a single title will be purchased only if it can be demonstrated that a sizeable number of students will be making heavy use of the item. Replacements - Materials withdrawn are not automatically replaced. Replacement depends on the number of copies held by the Library, the existence of similar material in the collection, continued relevancy and importance of title to collection De-selection of Library Materials (Weeding) Systematic withdrawals will be conducted of outdated, damaged, and worn materials no longer useful. Withdrawn material will be forwarded to the Technical Services Department for appropriate disposition. The following criteria are considered when discarding materials: obsolescence physical condition insufficient use or basic value changing curricular needs Relationship to Other Libraries Although no library collection may be expected to meet all demands, students should not have to go to other libraries for material normally required for their college research. When occasional needs require resources beyond the scope of our library collection, users will be referred to appropriate libraries, consortiums, agencies, etc. for support.
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