Collection Development Policy

2.3 Collection Development Policy


2.3.1 Purpose


The purpose of the collection policy is to ensure that the collection supports and expresses the library’s response to the information and learning needs of the community. This policy, with a specific collection development plan, will help measure progress by defining the collection. The Little Dixie Regional Libraries and Board of Trustees uphold the democratic right of all Americans to freely express their opinions and support the right of each individual to privately read, listen, and view the full range of published thoughts and ideas. The policy will strive to fulfill the mission statement of the library system (Policy Manual 1.3)


In support of this belief the Little Dixie offers a diverse and inclusive collection of materials protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. The Library Board endorses the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, The American Library Association’s Freedom to Read Statement, Freedom to View, and all interpretations applicable to the selection and use of library materials.


No material will be excluded because of the race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political or social views of the creator. Purchase of material by the library does not mean endorsement of the contents or the views expressed in said materials.


Purchase of materials must be consistent with the Library's yearly budget. Resource sharing, electronic resources and other methods of access are ways of meeting the needs of district’s citizens.In order to meet the mission, Little Dixie Regional Libraries collection must provide a wide range of materials for users of all ages, all educational levels, and all socioeconomic backgrounds.


The collection development policy will further public understanding of the library’s collection and its purpose.


The collection development policy will also provide guidance to library staff for the development and maintenance of the collection.


2.3.2 Community Analysis

Little Dixie Regional Libraries includes all residents in Randolph and Monroe Counties except for those Monroe County residents living within the 1965 Monroe City limits. Population of the library district is 32,382 (2020 Census). Moberly, Paris, Madison, and Huntsville are the major cities within the counties. The counties are located in North Central Missouri with the major cities located along Missouri Highway 24.

Throughout the counties are nine school districts including seven high schools. The Moberly School district is also home to an area vocational school and an alternative school. There are two colleges, Moberly Area Community College and the Christian College of the Bible. The University of Missouri is located 30 miles south of Moberly in Columbia, Missouri.

The counties are predominantly rural. Monroe County with a population of 8,666 is 100% rural. Randolph County with a population of 24,716 is 52% rural. The major industries of the counties are manufacturing, retail trade, and health care and social assistance. The median income for Randolph and Monroe Counties is $45,853. The racial makeup of the population for the two counties is basically white (Randolph County – 90.5%, Monroe County – 93.9%).


The population of the library system appears to be distributed over a wide population range.

Monroe Randolph

Under 5 5.3% 5.8%

Under 18 21.6% 21.6%

19-65 54.4% 61.2%

65+ 24% 17.2%


(2020 Census - More current figures may be available upon request)


The library system strives to offer services to the general public and recognizes all ages, educational levels, ethnic backgrounds, and socio-economic backgrounds.


The library buildings are handicapped accessible and the library strives to eliminate barriers to using the facilities and equipment for all residents.


2.3.3 Selection criteria


The library selects materials for its collection in accordance with professionally accepted guidelines. The library will attempt to represent all approaches to public issues of a controversial nature. The library does not sanction particular beliefs or views. If a scarcity of material in a particular subject area is evident, materials may be selected even if does not meet the usual standards.

2.3.4 Standards considered for material selection


  • Representation of a variety of tastes and differing viewpoints;

  • The author’s reputation and significance as a writer;

  • The importance of subject and significance to the collection;

  • The scarcity of material on the subject;

  • The timeliness or permanence of the material;

  • The appearance of title in special bibliographies or index;

  • Authoritativeness;

  • Reputation and standing of the publisher;

  • Price;


Selection aids include: Library Journal, Booklist, School Library Journal, Horn Book, and Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, VOYA and other literary publications.


2.3.4.1 Nonfiction Criteria


The library selects materials of both permanent and contemporary interest based on the needs of the community. The material will be evaluated on its entirety rather than specific sections.



2.3.4.2 Fiction Criteria


The library selects books of contemporary fiction, graphic novels, and classics, which will have lasting value. Popular authors, popular subjects and other books of interest to the community will be considered. Titles included in a series will be considered.



2.3.4.3 Periodicals


Periodicals are various titles that are published on a regular basis. The titles may be in print or electronic format. The titles included are those that will add value to the materials collection. Periodicals selected are those that are of interest to the community, have local or regional interest, are indexed by the libraries indexing database, cost, and whether the title will help to balance the collection.


2.3.4.4 Reference


Reference materials are those that are intended to be read for information rather than its entirety. Reference materials may be either in print or electronic. The materials will provide quick, concise, current information, or provide an index to other materials in the collection. The collection is easily accessible for reference staff helping individuals locate information.


The Reference Collection is not intended to offer in-depth research materials on any particular subject but to offer the patron and staff reference points to further research and information.


Reference materials will be obtained in the most user-friendly format. Materials will include books, periodicals, and electronic databases. Materials will be chosen based on cost, ease of use, currency, accuracy, and content.


2.3.4.5 Computer Resources


Electronic materials will be chosen that are either available via the Internet or loaded directly on a computer workstation. Some databases, depending on cost and licensing requirements may be used only on library computers and others will offer remote use. Compatibility with computer system, ease of use, updating capabilities, authority, accuracy, cost, demand by users, impact on staff, and maintenance will be considered for material and equipment acquisitions.


2.3.4.6 Visual Materials


Materials chosen for this collection will enhance the library’s existing nonfiction or fiction collection.


The following criteria will be considered for video recordings: technical quality (picture, sound, etc.), availability of public performance, need to supplement collection, appropriateness to the collection, artistic merit, and reputation of the actors.


When possible visual materials will be purchased with closed captioning.


The Library assumes no responsibility for any possible damage to the patron’s audio or video equipment that might be related to using audio-visual materials borrowed from the Library.


Most visual media purchases by LDRL are not cleared for public performance. Utilizing visual media in settings outside of the home may be a violation of U.S. Copyright law. Video media known to have public performance clearance shall be clearly marked. LDRL issues other media strictly for in-home use and shall not be responsible for penalties associated with misuse by a patron.


Schools may have limited public performance rights under the Copyright Act if the medium is used as part of face-to-face instruction; however LDRL shall not be responsible for any determination that such rights exist and liability or penalty for misuse shall remain totally with the school and/or teacher utilizing such media..




2.3.4.7 Recorded Book Formats


The library will select recorded books that will complement the collection in general area of interest. All users and age groups will be considered as potential user of the audio collections. A wide range of interests and needs will be considered. Both abridged and unabridged recorded versions will be considered. Competency of the producer, artistic merit of the reader, quality of the interpretation, ease of understanding by the user, the technical quality, and cost will be considered when selecting titles to be added.


2.3.4.8 Recorded Music


Recorded music will include those titles that are historically significant and have enduring popularity. Selection will include titles with: artistic merit, a competent producer, good technical quality, authority, and an acceptable cost.


2.3.4.9 Materials not collected


Textbooks: The library does not purchase textbooks as such. The library purchases a textbook only if the book is of value because of its content, there is a need for it in the book collection, or there is a permanent demand for it by the general public. No attempt is made to supply textbooks used in the schools of this area, however, a book is not excluded simply because it is a textbook.


Medical, law, psychology: The library does not purchase technical books in these fields, but does purchase books written in a non-technical manner for use of the general public.


Religion: The Library’s selection must be broad, tolerant, and without partisanship or propaganda. The selection of materials in this field must be consistently directed toward the choice of the best as expressed in the above policy. The selection goal is an impartial recognition of all religions.


Rare books: The library does not collect rare materials because of its desire to make materials available to all users.


Local History: Any books or realia of local historical interest may be given to a local historical society for preservation .


2.3.5 De-selection of materials and surplus library property


Weeding of the collection will be done on a regular basis. Generally accepted de-selection tools will be used as a basis for disposal of materials. The following categories will be considered for weeding: worn or damaged items, duplicates copies of seldom used titles, outdated or inaccurate information, superseded editions of specific titles, and materials no longer of interest or demand.


LDRL reserves the rights to dispose of withdrawn surplus and unneeded materials using the following procedures:

  1. Friends of the Library may, at the option of the director, be offered the materials.

  2. Materials not wanted by the Friends of the Library may be disposed of with the director’s approval.


2.3.6 Replacement of materials


The library does not automatically replace materials that have been withdrawn because of loss or damage. Staff will determine the value of replacing or repairing the item on a case-by-case decision. Usual selection criteria will be used to consider the replacement of the item.



2.3.7 Gifts and Donations


Materials: The library is grateful for gifts of materials. However, with the explicit understanding that the materials may or may not be added to the collection. No estimation of value of collections of items donated to the library will be made. A written acknowledgment of gifts received will be available upon request.


The decision to include gift materials will be based upon these considerations:

- Whether they meet the library’s standards of book selection;

- Whether the physical condition is satisfactory;

-Whether the library needs the title or added copies of the titles in the collection.

It is the policy of the library not to accept special collections of books to be kept together as a separate physical entity. Only the director with the understanding that they may or may not be integrated into the general collection may accept gift collections.

LDRL makes an effort to dispose of all gift material that it does not add to its own collection to the very best advantage.

Monetary gifts: Upon receipt of a cash gift for the purchase of a memorial, the director or a designated staff member will make the selection. The director will suggest to the donor library materials or equipment that would be suitable and useful. The director will make final decisions concerning gift selections.

Monetary gifts given to a specific branch will be designated to be used at that branch.


Any monetary gifts and material donations given to the library will become permanent property of Little Dixie Regional Libraries.



Posted online September 7, 2021