About Us

Collection Development Policy - Table of Contents

The Public Library
Albuquerque and Bernalillo County
Collection Development Policy

Revised October 2016
Approved by the Library Board: November 2016

Table of Contents

  1. Mission Statement
  2. Vision Statement
  3. Purpose
  4. Philosophy and Scope of Collection
  5. Scope of System Holdings
  6. Scope of the Online Collection
  7. Scope of the Non-traditional Collection
  8. Funding Sources
  9. Selection Criteria
  10. Customer Recommendations
  11. Requests for Reconsideration
  12. Collection Management

Appendices of Supporting Documents

Collection Development Policy

Collection Development Policy

1. Mission Statement

Connecting people with resources and services.

2. Vision Statement

To bring opportunities for knowledge, learning and achievement to our customers and community.

3. Purpose of the Collection Development Policy

The Collection Development Policy, approved by the Library Board, is one of the Library’s fundamental policy documents. It outlines the philosophies that create and shape the Public Library Albuquerque and Bernalillo County’s unique collection, the practices that maintain it over time and the guidelines that help the collection respond to community needs while protecting the collection from societal and political pressures. The Collection Development Policy ensures that over time, the Public Library Albuquerque and Bernalillo County’s collection will remain on course, reflecting the needs of Albuquerque and Bernalillo County’s communities, while creating unique experiences of meaning and inspiration for the individual customer.

4. Philosophy and Scope of the Collection

The Public Library Albuquerque and Bernalillo County collects materials, in a variety of popular formats, which support its function as a major information source for the needs of a metropolitan population. The collection also serves the popular and recreational needs of the general public, and reflects the racial, ethnic and cultural diversity of the community.

Customer use is the most powerful influence on the Library’s collection. Circulation, customer purchase requests and holds levels are all closely monitored, triggering the purchase of new items and additional copies of high demand items.
Inherent in the Collection Development philosophy is an appreciation for each customer of the Public Library Albuquerque and Bernalillo County. The Library provides materials to support each individual’s journey, and does not place a value on one customer’s needs or preferences over another’s. The Library upholds the right of the individual to access information, even though the content may be controversial, unorthodox, or unacceptable to others.

Materials for children and teenagers are intended to broaden their vision, support recreational reading, encourage and facilitate reading skills, supplement their educational needs, stimulate and widen their interests, lead to recognition and appreciation of literature and reflect the diversity of the community. The reading and viewing activity of children is ultimately the responsibility of parents or guardians, who guide and oversee their own children’s development. The Public Library Albuquerque and Bernalillo County does not intrude on that relationship.

5. Scope of System Holdings

System Holdings include core fiction and nonfiction collections and include materials of an enduring nature as well as current-interest materials. System Holdings include information in multiple formats and languages to represent the diverse viewpoints and interest of the community the Library serves.

Library staff regularly evaluates the collection to ensure its relevance. System Holdings concentrate on materials of high interest. System collections are shaped, in part, by customer use through the floating collection process, by which items move freely among library locations rather than being owned by a specific location.

The Reference Collection contains current and historical non-circulating publications and online resources to support reference service for the general public, students and businesspeople. Included in the system Reference holdings are separate curated collections for New Mexicana and Genealogical materials.

6. Scope of the Online Collection

The Online Collection represents the diverse viewpoints and interests of the entire community the Library serves. This collection includes citation and full-text databases; eBook, eAudiobooks, eZines and other downloadable and streaming media; and instructional programs.

7. Scope of the Non-traditional Collection

The Non-traditional Collection provides members of our community access to technologies they wish to explore and understand or to which they may not normally have access. This collection also provides access to many cultural and educational services for many of our customers.

8. Funding sources

Funding sources for materials purchased by the Public Library Albuquerque and Bernalillo County include:

  • City of Albuquerque G.O. Bonds – voted on and issued biennially on odd numbered years
  • Bernalillo County G.O. bonds – voted on and issued biennially on even numbered years
  • State of New Mexico G.O. bonds – voted on and issued biennially on even numbered years

9. Selection Criteria

Collection development staff use their training, knowledge and expertise along with the following general criteria to select materials for the collection:

  • Relevance to interests and needs of the community
  • Extent of publicity, critical review and current or anticipated demand
  • Current or historical significance of the author or subject
  • Local significance of the author or subject
  • Relevance to the existing collection’s strengths and weaknesses
  • Reputation and qualifications of the author, publisher or producer, with preference generally given to titles vetted in the editing and publishing industry
  • Suitability of format to Library circulation and use
  • Date of publication
  • Price, availability and Library materials budget

10. Customer Recommendations

Customers may request items the Library does not own. Each request is reviewed for inclusion in the collection or for loan through Interlibrary Loan. Staff determine the best method for delivery of materials using the selection criteria. These requests can be made in-person or from our website.

11. Requests for Reconsideration

The Public Library Albuquerque and Bernalillo County selects materials using established criteria and full consideration of the varying age groups and backgrounds of customers. Requests for removal of items from the collection may be made using the Request for Reconsideration form which is available at all libraries. Upon receiving a completed Request for Reconsideration form, the material will be reviewed by library staff and a reply will be sent to the library customer. A customer may re-submit a Request for Reconsideration, at which time, the material will be reviewed by Library Administration and a report will be submitted to the Library Advisory Board for their consideration at their next meeting. Library Administration will reply to the customer with their recommendation to the Board as well as the date, time and location of the next Board meeting where the Request for Reconsideration will be discussed.

12. Collection Management

  • Philosophy of Collection Management

The Library’s collection is a living, changing entity. As items are added, others are reviewed for their ongoing value and sometimes withdrawn from the collection. Great care is taken to retain or replace items that have enduring value to the community. Decisions are influenced by patterns of use, the capacity of each location and the holdings of other libraries. Staff review the collection regularly to maintain its vitality and usefulness to the community.

  • Responsibility for Collection Management

The final authority for the Library collection rests with Library Administration. Implementation of the collection development policy and management of the collection is assigned to Library staff. The Public Library Albuquerque and Bernalillo County disposes of materials that have been withdrawn according to the criteria for weeding and withdrawal outlined below. The Friends of the Public Library organization serves as an instrument for the Library, reselling and redistributing Library materials that are withdrawn from the collection or donated to the Library and designated by the Library for resale.

  • Criteria for Weeding and Withdrawal
    • The following criteria are used in selecting materials for withdrawal:
    • Damage or poor condition
    • Number of copies in the collection
    • Relevance to the needs and interest of the community
    • Current demand and frequency of use
    • Accuracy and timeliness
    • Not local interest
    • Not relevant to the Public Library Albuquerque Bernalillo County’s reference collections
    • Availability elsewhere including other libraries and online
    • Not deemed to be of an enduring nature

Sale of withdrawn items will be carried out in the manner most advantageous to the Library.

  • Gifts

The Public Library Albuquerque and Bernalillo County accepts donation of books and a few other materials. The Library retains the authority to accept or reject gifts. Library staff and/or representatives from the Friends of the Public Library organization make all decisions as to the use, housing and final disposition of donations. The Library does not evaluate or appraise gift materials for tax purposes.