Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Section Two
07/01/2017
Abigail Davis
Christine Frascarelli
Sarah Qronfleh
Brielle Sharrett
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
● Juvenile Nonfiction
100 Philosophy/Psychology 0 0 2 2
200 Religion 1 0 0 3
400 Language 3 0 1 0
700 Arts/Recreation 0 1 3 0
800 Literature 3 0 1 0
R Reference 0 0 0 4
100 Philosophy/Psychology 3 0 0 1
200 Religion 3 0 0 1
400 Language 3 0 1 0
700 Arts/Recreation 2 1 1 0
800 Literature 0 2 2 0
R Reference 1 0 0 3
Analysis of Youth Collection by Format
J AB Juvenile 0 0 3 0
Audiobook
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.
American Library Association (ALA). “The Freedom to Read Statement.” ala.org. Last adopted June 30,
American Library Association (ALA). “Freedom to View Statement.” ala.org. Endorsed January 10,
Aurora Collection Development Policy. (11 Apr. 2012). Collection Development Policy. Retrieved from
http://www.aurorapubliclibrary.org/about-the-library/policies/collection-development-policy
http://www.lakelandgov.net/libraryspecialcollections
Denver Public Library. (Apr. 2014). Collection Development Policy (PDF document).
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:
The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County. (n.d.) Policies- Collection
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