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 ensures the Library’s collection serves the general, educational, recreational, and entertainment needs of the public and reflects all segments 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The collection is not intended to be a research or archival collection, apart from the Eaton Collection and some local historical documents.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 dedicated to providing accurate, reliable, and trusted information, and to ensuring open access to knowledge for all. We uphold each patron’s freedom to read, listen to, or view materials of their choice without interference. In building our collection, the Library works in partnership with the citizens of Manatee County, welcoming input and recommendations to ensure our resources reflect the various interests and needs of our community.
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.
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 judgement 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. 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, cost, and binding
- Reputation of the publisher or producer (authority and significance of the author, composer, film producer, etc.)
- Critical and professional reviews
- Availability from contracted vendors
View the complete Library Collection Development Policy for more information on policies regarding Age-Appropriate Access, Interlibrary Loan, Purchase Suggestions, Gifts and Donations, Local Authors, Special Collections, Collection Maintenance, and Concerns.