Introduction
The books and items in the library are called a collection. The library decides what books and items to put in the collection. This is called collections development. The library also decides how long to keep items and when to remove them. This is called collections maintenance. This policy explains how the library develops and maintains its collection.
Liberté intellectuelle
The library supports the Canadian Federation of Library Association’s statement on intellectual freedom.
Intellectual freedom means that everyone has the right to their own opinion. People are allowed to access information and ideas from all points of view without restriction. The library supports this. Its collection includes different ideas and opinions. It provides these in different formats so everyone can use them.
Many people and communities use the library. The library wants to give them access to a wide range of information and ideas. Some people might not like everything in the library. Some items may upset or offend people. Some items may be about unpopular things.
The library treats everyone equally. Everyone can use all library materials. See the Accès pour tous policy for more information.
Accessibilité
The library has items in different formats. For example, large print books and audiobooks. This makes the library more accessible.
The library works with other libraries to help people with print disabilities. See the Membre incapable de lire les imprimés policy for more information.
Gestion des collections
Trained library staff decide what to put in the library. People use the library for many reasons, including learning new things and reading for fun.
Library staff choose items that will be interesting to the general public.
The library cannot include every item. Library staff use a selection criteria to carefully choose each item. Selection criteria are guidelines that help decide if something should be added to a library’s collection. Library staff ask these questions to see if an item follows the guidelines.
- Does the community need it?
- Is it important to the community?
- Is it up to date?
- Is it written well for the people who will use it?
- Does the library have other items about the subject?
- Does it add something new to the library?
- Does it provide a lot of information on the subject?
- Is the author an expert?
- Is the author well known?
- Does it have good reviews from experts?
- Is it accurate?
- Is it in good condition?
- Is it in a format the Library needs?
- Does the library have space for it?
- Can the library afford it?
Library staff might not need to follow all of these guidelines when they choose items for the collection.
People can also suggest items for the library to buy.
The library always works on the collection. Items are reviewed. Staff remove items the library does not need. This is called weeding. It keeps the library up to date. It makes sure the library has what the community needs now. Library staff follow the same guidelines for putting in and taking out items.
Items that are removed are usually sold in library book sales. If an item cannot be sold it is recycled.
Collections numériques
The library pays companies to use their digital collections. Digital collections are items that are online. Library users can use these for free.
Library staff are not always able to choose what items are in a digital collection. Items are sometimes chosen by the company the library pays. The library chooses companies based on these things:
- Does the community need the collection?
- Does it have a good reputation?
- Does it have good reviews from experts?
- Do other libraries use it?
- Can the library afford it?
Auteurs locaux
The library supports local authors.
Local authors can ask to have their work at the library. The library will treat items by local authors like all other items. It will decide whether or not to include the item in the same way.
Local authors can use the Suggestion d’un titre form to ask the library to buy their work. The library might ask to see their web site or to read part of their book. This will help the library decide about buying the book.
If a local author gives the library their book, it will be treated like a donation. The book might not be added to the collection. See the Materials Donation policy for more information.
Reconsidération
People can ask the library to review items. This includes any of the following:
- Items in the library
- Items that were removed from the library
- Items the library decided not to include
Requests need to be made in writing. Requests go to the executive director.