Collection Management Policy

DCL 4-1 Collection Management

Statement of Purpose:

Effective democratic societies require that individuals have free and open access to information and ideas on all subjects. The Dunklin County Library recognizes that for many residents of Dunklin County, it serves as the primary resource for information access. The Library actively integrates information and referral services, various interlibrary loan functions and collection management to provide the most efficient and timely delivery of information services.

Philosophy of Collection Management:

Central to the Dunklin County Library’s Collection Management Policy are the Library Bill of rights and the Freedom to Read Statement adopted by the Council of the American Library Association. Materials, for the purposes of this policy shall be defined as all print and non-print materials selected by the Library for public use.

The Dunklin County Library shall select recreational and informational materials within the constraints of its current budget and physical limitations. The Library will not attempt to collect either the ephemeral of popular materials, or the most esoteric of research documents.

Adequate information management also requires the timely removal of materials from the Dunklin County Library’s collection, which have become dated, or are for other reasons no longer considered suitable for retention.

Responsibility for Collection Management:

The Library strives to purchase materials presenting a variety of viewpoints. Factors considered when adding specific material to the Library collection include, but are not limited to community needs, local demand, reviews in professional recognized sources, timeliness and/or significance of the subject, cost, contribution to diversity, depth, or breadth of collection, objectivity, and support of the Library’s mission.

The Library will not purchase or acquire material that constitutes “child pornography” is “pornographic for minors,” or is “obscene” as defined in RSMO 573.010.

The responsibility for assisting in the selection of library materials belongs to each member of the Library staff. The ultimate responsibility for materials selection rests with the Library Director who operates within the framework of policies determined by the Board of Trustees.

The public also has certain right and responsibilities concerning the collections of the Dunklin County Library. Residents of the county may recommend specific titles for purchase by submitting a written request.

Similarly, residents may request reconsideration of a title by submitting a written complaint. (DCL 4-1-2) Copies of both forms will be made available at the Circulation Desk of all Branches. Citizen requests for either purchase or removal shall be given careful consideration. The Library will uniformly apply the standards and selection criteria developed in this policy, and implemented through established procedures, during any such review.

The Dunklin County Library is cognizant of parental concerns over the questions of suitability of reading matter for children and young adults. The Library will use the utmost care during the general selection of materials for children and young adults; however, parents are the most capable judges concerning the contents of material and the reading and comprehension levels of their children. As a result, the Library considers that the responsibility for those materials children select must rest with the child’s parents or legal guardians.

The Library collections for patrons under age 18 are split into three categories. “E” Collection, which is intended for age’s birth to age seven, the “J” Collection which is intended for patrons age eight through fourteen, “YA” which is intended for patrons age 15 through 18. If available, we use the publisher’s suggested age range. This statement is required by Missouri Regulation 15 CSR 30-200.015.

Some materials selected for the juvenile and young adult collections are intended for mature readers .The responsibility for materials used by minors rests completely with the minor’s parents or legal guardians. Checkout to minors under the age of 18 are allowed with the signed parental permissions on a minor’s library card form. Minors will be allowed checkout from each library collection that has been approved with parental permission. This is required by Missouri Regulation 15CSR 30-200.030.

Patrons are not limited by these age recommendations, as they are only recommendations. All patrons are welcome to checkout any/all materials in our collections. Responsibility for a minor’s reading must rest with the parent or guardian, not with the Library Director, its Board of Trustees or staff to determine which collection they should use or what item in the collections is suitable for an individual.

DCL 4-1 revised June 26, 2023