The development and thoughtful maintenance of the Library’s collection is an essential part of
the mission of Manatee County Public Library System (MCPLS). This policy outlines how the
selection, organization, and maintenance of library materials, including electronic resources,
support that mission.
This policy serves the general, educational, recreational, and entertainment needs of the public
and reflects the racial, ethnic, and cultural diversity of the community. The collection is not
intended to be a research or archival collection, apart from the Eaton Collection and some local
historical documents.
The Library is committed to the truth, to trustworthy information, and to
fighting all forms of disinformation, censorship, and barriers to free inquiry.
The Library supports a patron’s freedom to read, listen to, or view material without infringement
by other patrons.
The Library creates its collection in partnership with the citizens of Manatee County, seeking
input and recommendations on the content that should be acquired.
Responsibility for Material Selection
Ultimate responsibility for the selection of all materials rests with the Library Services Manager,
who works within the framework of this policy. The Library Services Manager may delegate to
staff the responsibility to interpret and use the policy in daily operations.
Criteria for Selection of Material
The goal of material selection is to fulfill the community’s need for personal enrichment,
information, and the joy of reading. Material selection is based on awareness of community
interests and concerns, national and international issues, publishing trends, new insights,
societal trends, and the professional judgment of selectors on the material’s value to the
Library’s collection. Textbooks are not collected except in subject areas where material in
another form is not available.
The MCPLS strives to maintain a collection that represents all sides of an issue in an unbiased
manner. Material is not excluded because of the race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual
orientation, or political or societal views of the author.
The selection of materials does not represent the Library’s endorsement of any opinion, belief,
or philosophy. An item that meets selection criteria will not be removed from the collection
solely because it represents a particular opinion, belief, or philosophy.
The Library does not assume parental responsibility for children’s choices of Library materials.
Popular demand is balanced by professional evaluation and is considered within the context of
the Library’s mission and budgetary limitations. The following criteria are used to determine
addition to the collection:
- Relation to the existing collection
- Current usefulness or permanent value
- Importance as a document of the times
- Popular and community-based demand
- Authority and competence in presentation
- Relative importance in comparison with other works on the subject
- High standards of quality content, format, and binding
- Reputation of the publisher or producer (authority and significance of the author, composer, film producer, etc.)
- Critical and professional reviews
View the complete Library Collection Development Policy for more information on policies regarding Interlibrary Loan, Gifts and Donations, Local Authors, Special Collections, Collection Maintenance, Freedom of Access, and Concerns.