Collection Development Policy

Introduction

Purpose of Policy

The Collection Development Policy supports the library in its mission and core values by defining collection development principles. It provides direction for the growth and development of collections and communicates these guiding principles to library staff and the public.


Mission

Eugene Public Library's mission is to provide equitable resources and opportunities for everyone to create a connected, caring and inspired community.


About the Library

Eugene Public Library has three locations: the Downtown Library, Bethel Branch, and Sheldon Branch. The library designs services and programs in the branches to meet the needs and interests of their immediate community. The Downtown Library provides an extensive, in-depth collection and centralized support services, as well as serving the needs and interests of people living or working downtown.


General Principles

Intellectual Freedom

Library users make choices as to what items they and their children will use based on individual interests and standards. Eugene Public Library supports the right of each family to decide which items are appropriate for use by their children. The library adheres to the principles of intellectual freedom adopted by the American Library Association as expressed in the Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read, and Freedom to View statements.


Diversity

Our goal is to collect materials that reflect a wide range of views, expressions, opinions, and interests. Specific items acquired for the collection may include those that are unorthodox, unpopular with the majority, or controversial in nature. The library’s acquisition of such material does not constitute endorsement of the material’s content.


Core Values

The following core values direct the collection plan:

  • Lifelong learning and literacy
  • Responsive customer service and empowerment
  • Organizational and professional ethics

Selection Procedure

Responsibility

Designated library staff, under the guidance of the Library Director, select library materials.


Criteria

General criteria for selecting library materials include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Budget and space limitations
  • Public demand, interest, or need
  • Contemporary significance, popular interest, or permanent value
  • Prominence, authority, and/or competence of author or creator
  • Professional, high quality content that has been independently and positively reviewed in a major review journal. Paid or amateur reviews are not considered.
  • Timeliness of information
  • Relation to existing collection
  • An original or alternative point of view
  • Authenticity of historical, regional, or social setting
  • Contemporary utility
  • Suitability of subject and style for the intended audience
  • Appropriateness to interest and skills of intended audience
  • Local emphasis
  • Availability from other local libraries
  • The library may purchase or accept donations of self-published books if they are positively reviewed in professional journals, or if they highlight unique local information and meet the standard of professional, high quality content.

Selection Sources

  • Reviews in professional library and publishing publications, both print and online, such as Publisher’s Weekly, Library Journal, Booklist, etc.
  • Individual subject expertise of staff and community members
  • Coverage in local newspapers, on recognized authoritative blogs and websites, and in bookstores
  • Publisher’s catalogs
  • Standard bibliographies
  • Media promotions

Purchase Suggestions

Purchase suggestions must meet general selection criteria for consideration.


Request for Reconsideration of Materials

If you have a concern about an item, online resource, program, or exhibit at the library,  please contact us to discuss it.


Gifts, Donations and Memorials

The library welcomes donations of books and other materials as well as financial contributions. The library reserves the right to decide the disposition of all gifts received. Gifts accepted for addition to the library’s collection become the property of Eugene Public Library and will be placed where most appropriate. Material not added to the collection is transferred to the Friends of Eugene Public Library, a non-profit organization, for use in their book sales. The proceeds from these sales are donated to the library in support of our mission and programs and to enhance the library’s collection.


Maintenance, Replacement and Withdrawal of Items

The library continuously evaluates the collection to ensure its usefulness and relevance to the community. This evaluation relies on staff professional expertise to assess the content of the collection for the ever-changing needs of the community. Damaged, destroyed, or lost items may not be replaced due to:

  • Obsolescence: no longer timely, accurate, or relevant
  • Damaged or poor condition
  • Space or budget limitations
  • Number of copies in the collection
  • Insufficient use
  • Availability in other local collections