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LIS 6511

Section Two
07/01/2017
Abigail Davis
Christine Frascarelli
Sarah Qronfleh
Brielle Sharrett

Collection Development Policy For Lakeland Public Library 


 
Purpose Statement 
 
The mission of the Lakeland Public Library is to enrich minds and lives. In an effort to meet the 
needs of a dynamic and changing community, the library strives to maintain an equitable, diverse, and 
intelligent variety of resources stated in its Collection Development Policy. The Board of Commissioners 
oversees and approves the Collection Development Policy, which is one of the most vital sets of 
guidelines for the Lakeland Public Library. Designed with the community’s needs and interests at heart, 
the policy’s goals are to: 
  
· Ensure that all users’ needs are met through a variety of mediums, access points, and 
informational resources, services, and programs 
· Create consistency across departments for staff members and guide them in decisions 
regarding funds for resources as well as selection and maintenance of the collection 
· Fairly and adequately address complaints, concerns, and questions when items are 
challenged 
· Effectively, morally, and legally guide the solicitation of grants, gifts, donations, and 
endowments  
· Inform the public about the allocation of funding and explain how decisions are made 
regarding the collection 
· Adhere to the guidelines set forth by the American Library Association (ALA) to ensure 
intellectual freedom and equal access for all users, specifically prescribing to the Freedom To 
Read statement and Library Bill of Rights 
 
 
Background Statement 
 
As the main branch of the Lakeland Public Library System and a member of the Polk County 
Library Cooperative (PCLC), the Lakeland Public Library plays a vital role in facilitating the enrichment 
and growth of its community. With goals to enhance the recreational, educational, and employment needs 
of its users, the library fulfills the gaps of neighboring organizations, offers a quiet sanctuary to those in 
need, and empowers individuals of all ages to become healthy, active, and productive citizens. The 
library desires that users leave with new information, skills, and ultimately the confidence to be creative 
and successful. Located at the center of the community, residing next to the Polk Museum of Art, the 
library is transforming into a cultural hub and center for self and group learning. The Lakeland Public 
Library also reaps the benefits of Inter-Library Loan (ILL) with all 17 libraries in the PCLC, making the 
branch a stronger resource for its community. 
  
In the past few years, the Lakeland Public Library has seen an increase in non-English speaking 
families, and currently serves a growingly diverse and youthful population. With a more urban vibe, the 
Lakeland Public Library has also witnessed an increase in a more transient population, members of the 
homeless community, lower income families interspersed within wealthier households, and single-parent 
homes. The Lakeland Public Library wishes to address all of these users’ needs and enhance their quality 
of life in an equitable and accessible manner through new technology, information, and services including 
a variety of free programs. Dedicated to updating its services and collection to meet the needs of the 
current demographic, the Lakeland Public Library seeks to stay current and relevant in this growing 
technological world. 
  
Most uniquely, the Lakeland Public Library has a special collection housing over 10,000 
photographic prints and negatives along with pamphlets, books, and printed materials related to the 
creation of Lakeland itself. These resources document the urban development of Lakeland over the 
course of 100 years up until 2017. The Earl Morgan Savage Collection, for example, shows Lakeland’s 
development in the 1920's. Throughout the span of this collection, patrons can witness the transformation 
and revitalization of the area. The mission of this department “is to acquire, preserve and make accessible 
to researchers materials which document Lakeland's history” (City of Lakeland, 2011). In effect, the 
Lakeland Public Library attracts historians and genealogists, making the library a key historical site in the 
community.   
  
Responsibility for Collection Management/Development  
 
Responsibility for the collection development and management lies first and foremost with the 
Library Director, who is accountable to the Director of the Leisure Services Department, and ultimately, 
the Board of County Commissioners. Library Advisory Board members may help guide the Director in 
any and all decisions. Only the Library Director can make the final verdict on a challenge to the 
collection.  
  
All professional staff—librarians possessing a MLIS or related degree—and selected support staff 
who they supervise, are responsible for the day-to-day selection and maintenance of the collection, 
including preservation and weeding. Selection and maintenance responsibilities are divided among staff 
members based on specific areas of specialization: Adult service librarians are responsible for the adult 
collection, young adult librarians oversee teen materials, and the youth services librarians focus on the 
children’s resources. The Director may assign other librarians parts of specialized collections or delegate 
responsibilities where help is required.   
  
Librarians utilize a variety of selection tools, including databases, information from distributors 
and publishers, websites, and professional development opportunities. Librarians responsible for 
collection development and management meet quarterly for in-house training and procedural updates as 
well as to discuss any current trends, issues, and budgetary guidelines. 
  
All community and staff members are encouraged both online and in-person to suggest titles and 
resources for ordering. Acceptance or rejection of suggested titles is based on the guidelines set forth in 
this document as well as librarians’ professional knowledge, experience, and judgment. The Public 
Services Manager oversees suggested title/resource ordering under the guidance of the Director. 
 
Mission, Goals, and Objectives Statements 
 
Mission​: The mission of the Lakeland Public Library is to enrich minds and lives through a variety of 
open access programs, services, and informational resources. 
  
Goals & Objectives: ​In relation to collection development and maintenance and the overall mission of 
the library, the Lakeland Public Library has the following goals and objectives 
  
Goal 1: ​Engage readers and learners of all backgrounds 
● Objective: Initiate more hands-on and DIY learning through websites and databases 
● Objective: Teach parents and students how to use the library resources and collections 
● Objective: Re-train staff on all library technology and information resources 
● Objective: Develop relevant and modern collections, including unique and specialized collections 
● Objective: Facilitate early learning initiatives, such as incorporating circulating STEM/STEAM 
Maker Kits 
● Objective: Work more closely with the local school system and collaborate on collections and 
resources essential to learning 
  
Goal 2: ​Encourage and grow innovation and creativity 
● Objective: Create diverse collections filled with a variety of resources, databases, books, tools, 
and non-traditional methods to disperse learning 
● Objective: Introduce new technology to staff and users, such as robots and telescopes 
● Objective: Design maker-spaces tied into collections and community needs 
  
Goal 3:​ Meet the needs of a growing and changing diverse community 
● Objective: Create virtual spaces that allow users to engage with the library outside of its four 
walls 
● Objective: Deliver programs and resources to communities on and off site 
● Objective: Increase multicultural collections and books in other languages, specifically Spanish 
language books 
● Objective: Re-evaluate and examine new databases for language learning and citizenship 
attainment 
  
Goal 4: ​Preserve history and become a cultural and historical site 
● Objective: Grow relationships with neighboring historical societies and museums and share 
access among collections 
● Objective: Digitize and find modern ways to preserve current special collection 
● Objective: Build a marketing strategy and campaign to seek support for specialized collections 
● Objective: Build collaborative community partnerships 
 
Identification of Target Audiences 
  
This Collection Development Policy identifies several target populations that frequent the Youth 
Services Department of the Lakeland Public Library. They are as follows: 

1. Children and Young Adults looking for leisure reading 

2. Children and Young Adults looking for research materials 

3. Parents searching for materials for their children/dependents 

4. College Students searching for research materials 

5. Adults looking for leisure reading 

6. Persons with special needs or disabilities 

Budget and Funding 

The Lakeland Public Library gathers its funding in a variety of ways. This includes funding from 
national and state grants such as from the State Aid to Libraries program from the Florida Department of 
State. Additional funding also comes from dispensations from the City of Lakeland as well as funds 
raised by the Friends of the Library’s Lakeland branch. 
 
A large portion of the current budget for the Lakeland Public Library is being dedicated for 
several large renovation projects- a new Makerspace is being built as well as the addition of a store space 
for an in-house coffee shop. These changes, paired with the decreased funding from national and state 
grants, has caused a major decrease in all other spending areas in the library, especially in the Youth 
Services Department. The Library Director works with the City of Lakeland board, as well as the Friends 
of the Library branch, to determine what funds to allocate to the Youth Services Department. These funds 
are then divided by the Librarian Supervisor of the Youth Services Department per which areas of the 
department are in the most need for funds.   
 
Selection/Evaluation Criteria 
  
Using their training, education, experience and subject specific knowledge, along with the 
following criteria, Youth Services staff will analyze what areas of their collection needs improvement and 
what the library prioritizes for the current funding period. Any materials selected for purchase must meet 
most the criteria listed below; though the Youth Services staff will consider materials from customer 
requests as well as public demand, published reviews, purchasing catalogs, and other sources while 
evaluating materials for purchase. 

Criteria: 

1. Public demand 
2. Attention among reputable sources 
a. Critical reviews 
3. Subject matter/Content 
a. Current events/timeliness of material 
b. Relevance 
c. Popular interest topic 
d. Value of content long term 
e. Original or challenging work 
f. Authenticity 
4. Prominence 
a. Publicity 
b. Author popularity/status 
c. Publisher 
d. Demand 
5. Format 
a. Hardcover, library binding, ebook, audiobook 
6. Price 

Analysis of Subject Fields 

● Juvenile Nonfiction 

Call #  Subject  CL  AC  GL  PC  Comments 

000  General, Computer  1  2  1  0   


Science/Information 

100  Philosophy/Psychology  0  0  2  2   

200  Religion  1  0  0  3   

300  Social Sciences  1  0  3  0  Needs weeding/updating 

400  Language  3  0  1  0   

500  Pure Science  0  4  0  0  Needs weeding/updating 

600  Technology  0  4  0  0  Needs updating 

700  Arts/Recreation  0  1  3  0   
800  Literature  3  0  1  0   

900  History/Geography  0  4  0  0  Needs weeding/in high demand 

R  Reference  0  0  0  4   

● Note: CL = Current Collection Strength; AC = Acquisition Commitment; 


GL = Collection Goal; PC = Preservation Commitment 

● Young Adult Nonfiction  

Call #  Subject  CL  AC  GL  PC  Comments 

000  General, Computer  1  2  1  0   


Science/Information 

100  Philosophy/Psychology  3  0  0  1   

200  Religion  3  0  0  1   

300  Social Sciences  1  3  0  0  In high demand 

400  Language  3  0  1  0   

500  Pure Science  0  3  1  0  Needs weeding/updating 

600  Technology  0  4  0  0  Needs updating 

700  Arts/Recreation  2  1  1  0   

800  Literature  0  2  2  0   

900  History/Geography  0  4  0  0  In high demand for school 


reports/papers 

R  Reference  1  0  0  3   

● Note: CL = Current Collection Strength; AC = Acquisition Commitment; 


GL = Collection Goal; PC = Preservation Commitment 

 
Analysis of Youth Collection by Format 

Call #  Subject  CL  AC  GL  PC  Comments 

BB  Board Book  0  3  1  0   

E FIC  Easy Fiction  0  4  0  0  In high demand 

EZR  Easy Reader  0  4  0  0  In high demand 

J FIC  Juvenile Fiction  1  0  3  0   

J NONFIC  Juvenile  0  3  0  0  Needs weeding/updating 


NonFiction 

J DVD  Juvenile DVD  0  0  2  0   

J AB  Juvenile  0  0  3  0   
Audiobook 

J CD  Juvenile CD  0  0  2  2  Needs weeding 

YA FIC  Young Adult  0  0  2  2   


Fiction 

YA  Young Adult  0  3  1  0   


NONFIC  Nonfiction 

YA DVD  Young Adult  2  1  0  1   


DVD 

GRN  Graphic Novel  0  0  3  1  Needs updating 

● Note: CL = Current Collection Strength; AC = Acquisition Commitment; 


GL = Collection Goal; PC = Preservation Commitment 

Selection Aids 

The following sources are being used to guide staff in selecting materials that meet the above mentioned 
criteria and work towards an unbiased and relevant youth services collection. These tools serve as a guide 
and are not an exhaustive list of how the library selects all materials. The Lakeland Public Library also 
works with the following vendors in selecting youth materials: Baker and Taylor, EBSCO, Follett, and 
Ingram.  

● Amazon.com - access to lists of best books and peer reviews that provide insight to user demands.  
● American Book Publishing Record - new titles every month with a section specifically for 
juvenile materials.  
● Book Review Digest - includes excerpts and citations from reviews of juvenile fiction and 
nonfiction.  
● Booklist - a guide published by the American Library Association specifically for public and 
school libraries.  
● Horn Book Guide - published semiannually, includes ratings and reviews of children’s and young 
adult books.  
● School Library Journal - world’s largest reviewer of children’s and young adult materials, 
evaluates literary quality, artistic merit, clarity and appeal.  
● Voice of Youth Advocates - published bimonthly, devoted exclusively for teenagers needs. 

 
Intellectual Freedom 
  
To begin discussing the Lakeland Public Library’s Intellectual Freedom policy first refer to the 
ALA Library Bill of Rights at (​http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill​): 

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, 
and that the following basic policies should guide their services. 
  
I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and 
enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded 
because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation. 
II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and 
historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal 
disapproval. 
III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide 
information and enlightenment. 
IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of 
free expression and free access to ideas. 
V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, 
background, or views. 
VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve 
should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of 
individuals or groups requesting their use. 
  

The Lakeland Public Library’s Youth Service department’s mission is to provide informational, 
recreation, and technological materials for the community per patron needs and wants. Their Intellectual 
Freedom policy reflects this mission in that it upholds the ALA’s Bill of Rights as well as their Freedom 
to Read Statement (ALA 2004). The LPL Youth Services department provides access to any library 
materials to anyone, regardless of race, sex, religion, age, or ideas (ALA 1996). This includes providing 
the widest array of views, expressions, ideas, and representations, including those which might fall out of 
what is considered orthodox or popular among most patrons. The Lakeland Public Library will not censor 
any materials within its collection; no markings will be placed on materials to identify any potential 
controversial contents and none shall be removed from the collection solely based on their content (ALA 
2004). The library recognizes the rights of individual users to privacy and confidentiality in regards to the 
materials they use per intellectual freedom policies and right to information acts. 
Reconsideration of Challenged Materials 
 
The Lakeland Public Library serves a diverse and multi-faceted community and their materials 
are meant to reflect their patron base. Some materials that are acceptable to some patrons may not be 
acceptable to others and so the library has created the following steps to follow in the case of a challenged 
item: 
1. Patrons who wish for a material to be reconsidered must complete the “Request for 
Reconsideration of Library Materials” form that can be found both online and at the front 
Circulation desk of the library. This form, once completed, will be reviewed by the Librarian 
Supervisor of the Youth Services department. 
2. The Librarian Supervisor will review the form and contact the patron to conduct an 
informal interview about the material and what their issue was with it. They will also discuss the 
library’s Intellectual Freedom Policy with the patron and attempt to resolve the complaint. 
3. If the objection is still not resolved after the informal interview, then the patron will be 
offered the opportunity to speak with the Library Director about the material. 
4. Upon the discussion with the Library Director, they will review the materials and the 
patron’s objection with them. After it has been fully evaluated the Library Director will make a 
final decision of whether the material will stay in the collection.  
 
Collection Maintenance and Weeding 
 
The Collection Development Policy demonstrates what, why, and how materials are selected at 
the Lakeland Public Library. To ensure that the library collection is meeting patron needs, the Library is 
diligent in evaluating the collection on a regular basis. A regular evaluation will show if there are any 
gaps in the collection, such as items needing to be added or removed. The following factors will be 
considered when evaluating materials for acquisition: 
· Potential use by patrons 
· Patron request for materials 
· Reputations of the author or editor and the publisher or producer 
· Currency of coverage 
· Current and permanent value 
· Availability of alternative formats or sources 
· Cost, including continuing and indirect costs 
· Format and technical support 
· Physical quality 
· Available space 
 
Weeding is the process through which materials are removed and withdrawn from the Library’s 
collection. Weeding makes way for new, current material and aids the library in keeping the collection so 
that it is meeting current user needs. When weeding the collection, there are important questions to 
consider that include, but are not limited, to: 
· Is the item up to date? 
· When was the item last checked out? 
· What is the physical condition of the item? 
· Is there enough shelf space? 
· Are there multiple copies of the same item? 
· Are there new editions available? 
· Is the item appropriate for the collection? 
 
In most cases, items withdrawn from the collection are then given to the Friends of the Lakeland 
Public Library. 
 
Gift Policy and Procedures 
 
The Lakeland Public Library gratefully accepts all donations that may support the Library's 
mission, goals, and objectives. The purpose of the Gift Policy and Procedure is to specify the types of 
donations accepted by the Lakeland Public Library and how the donations will be handled. All donations 
accepted by the Lakeland Public Library become the property of the library, therefore, the Library may 
not be able to accept a donation or gift if the donor places extensive and/or restrictive conditions on the 
use of the gift by the Library. The Library will not accept a gift if the donor's wishes cannot be carried out 
by the Library. 
 
Procedures for the Gift of Money 
a) The Library accepts gifts of money, in any amounts. 
b) The donor may indicate how he/she wishes the money to be spent by the Library 
c) All gifts/donations of money will be processed by the Library within 3 business days of 
receiving money. 
 
Procedures for the Gifts of Books and Other Library Materials 
a) All library materials accepted as gifts will be evaluated in accordance with the Lakeland 
Public Library Collection Development Policy. 
b) The Library accepts gifts of library materials in good condition. This includes, but​ ​is not 
limited to: books, CDs, videocassettes, DVDs, periodicals, manuscripts, maps, and 
pamphlets. 
c) In most cases, items withdrawn from the collection are then given to the Friends of the 
Lakeland Public Library Library for their Book Sale. Money raised by the Friends from 
the Book Sale is used to benefit the Library and its programs. 
 
 
 
 
 
Procedures for Gifts of Furniture and Equipment 
a) The Library accepts gifts of furniture and equipment that supports and furthers the 
mission, goals and objectives of the Library. The Library retains the prerogative to accept 
or reject any gift of furniture and/or equipment for the Library. 
b) The Library will not accept furniture or equipment that cannot be properly cared for or 
secured by the Library within normal operations and procedures of the Library. 
c) The placement and use of furniture and equipment is the sole prerogative of the Library. 
 
All gifts and donations will be considered by the Library on a case-by-case basis. 
 
 
 
Replacements  
 
Patrons are responsible for returning the Lakeland Public Library’s materials by their due dates. 
Replacement cost is the responsibility of the patron having lost or damaged library material on his or her 
account. In the case of children under the age of 18, responsibility lies with the parent or guardian listed 
on the child’s account. The replacement fee is in addition to any fine that may have accumulated.  
 
The Library reserves the right to assess and declare the condition of all returned library materials. 
Library staff will assess damage to the materials. Damage fees may vary, depending on the extent of 
damage, up to the full replacement costs of the item. Patrons are not charged for normal wear and tear on 
library materials. However, the following conditions do not constitute normal wear and tear and may 
result in repair or replacement charges: 
 
· Wet or moldy books 
· Books damaged by food stains, oily, or sticky residue 
· Books missing pages or covers 
· Books containing highlighting, pen marks, or crayon marks 
· Books showing tears, cuts, graffiti or other unusual damage 
· Damaged or lost pieces  
 
The Library sends out damaged and lost (long overdue) material notices by e-mail and U.S. mail. 
Overdue notices are only sent by e-mail. Items are thoroughly checked by library personnel upon each 
return, so missing or damaged pieces will be billed to the last borrowing patron upon discovery. The 
patron may pay with cash or card. When paying with a card, the patron must have a current photo ID. 
 
Material is assumed lost when the material has not been returned within 60 days of the due date, 
or when the patron informs Library that it is lost. Library staff should encourage patrons to look for the 
unreturned items before marking them as lost and before pay for non-refundable charges. 
 
 
 
Special Collections 
 
The Lakeland Public Library has a vast Special Collections section and trained Special Collection 
Librarians that strives to collect, maintain, and preserve items of local interest. The Special Collections 
department can be found in the Library’s Lakeland Room. The mission of the Lakeland Room is to 
acquire, preserve, disseminate, and make accessible unique archival items that express the historic legacy 
of Lakeland and surrounding area. ​The collection consists of an array of materials—documents, 
photographs, maps, building plans, audio/visual media, and scrapbooks with specialty items like citrus 
crate labels, artwork, yearbooks, posters and postcards.​Though most of the collection is in the form of a 
physical collection, there are over 6,000 images accessible for viewing online via our digital collection. 
 
The Library welcomes gifts and donations to Special Collections. Donations will be considered 
on a case-by-case basis. 
 
 
Member Contribution  
 
Christine Frascarelli is responsible for researching and writing the following sections: Purpose and 
Background Statements, Responsibility for Collection Management/Development, and Mission, Goals, 
and Objectives Statements. Abigail Davis is responsible for researching and writing the Target 
Audiences, Budgeting and Funding, Evaluation Criteria, and Intellectual Freedom sections. Sarah 
Qronfleh is responsible for developing and writing the analysis of the collection by subject field, format 
and the selection aids. Brielle Sharrett is responsible for researching and writing the Collection 
Maintenance and Weeding, Gift Policy and Procedures, Replacements, and Special Collections. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
References 
 
American Library Association (ALA). “Library Bill of Rights.” ala.org. Last adopted January 23, 1996. 

ALA, 2012. Web. <​ ​http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill​>. 

American Library Association (ALA). “The Freedom to Read Statement.” ala.org. Last adopted June 30, 

2004. ALA, 2012. Web. 

American Library Association (ALA). “Freedom to View Statement.” ala.org. Endorsed January 10, 

1990. ALA, 2012. Web. . 

Aurora Collection Development Policy. (11 Apr. 2012). Collection Development Policy. Retrieved from 

http://www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/about-the-library/policies/collection-development-policy 

City of Lakeland. (2011). Special Collections. Retrieved from 

http://www.lakelandgov.net/libraryspecialcollections 

Denver Public Library. (Apr. 2014). Collection Development Policy (PDF document). 

Retrieved from ​https://www.denverlibrary.org/content/collection-development-policies 

Detroit Public Library. (n.d.). Collection Development Policy (PDF document). Retrieved from 

http://www.detroitpubliclibrary.org/sites/default/files/files/library/Collection%20Development%2

0Policy%20-%20adopted%20101513.pdf 

Gregory, V. L. (2011). ​Collection development and management for 21st century library collections: 

an introduction​. New York: Neal-Schuman.  

The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. (n.d.) Policies- Collection 

Development. Retrieved from 

http://www.cincinnatilibrary.org/policies/collectiondevelopment.html 

Seminole County Public Library. (n.d.) Long-Range Strategic Plan 2017-2021 (PDF document).  
Retrieved from 

http://www.seminolecountyfl.gov/departments-services/leisure-services/seminole-county-library/l

ibrary-information/long-range-plan-2011-2016.stml 

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