6.0 Collection Development Policies
Board approved July 27, 2026
6.1 Collection Purpose
St. Joseph County Public Library offers a collection of materials that meets the informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs of the community. The collection is diverse, equitable, and inclusive, representing broad areas of knowledge, ideas, and interest. It includes materials of enduring value as well as materials that meet current community interests, regardless of their long-term value.
6.2 Selection Criteria
Materials are selected to support the Library’s mission and collection purpose. The inclusion of a work in the Library’s collection does not constitute endorsement of its contents or viewpoints. Selection decisions are guided by the following criteria:
a. The principles set forth in the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights (Appendix A), Freedom to Read Statement (Appendix C), and Diversity in Collection Development (Appendix E).
b. Expressed or anticipated community needs and interests.
c. The quality, authority, relevance, merit, and originality of the work, evaluated as a whole rather than on selected passages or excerpts.
d. Professional reviews, national bestseller lists, and other recognized selection resources, including but not limited to Kirkus Review, Library Journal, Public Libraries, Publishers Weekly, and New York Times Book Review.
e. The contribution of the material to the collection as a whole, including its relationship to the existing collection and available resources.
f. The contribution of the material to a balanced collection representing a broad range of viewpoints, including on controversial subjects.
g. The cost of acquiring and maintaining the material in relation to available resources and anticipated value.
The selection criteria are applied using the professional judgment of Library staff. The Library staff does not have to give equal weight to each criterion when selecting materials, and no single criterion is determinative.
6.2.1 Collection Exclusions
The following materials are not selected for the collection:
a. Materials primarily intended for classroom use, including multiple copies for school assignments and textbooks.
b. Materials that are primarily generated by artificial intelligence.
c. Self-published materials that lack evidence of professional review or demonstrated community interest.
6.2.2 Local and Family History
Local & Family History (LFH) strives to acquire, preserve, promote, and provide access to print, microfilm, archival, and digital collections that document the history, communities, and people of St. Joseph County in support of the educational and research activities of our local and remote constituents. LFH considers donations of archival materials and professionally printed and bound books that have a local connection but is unable to accept three-dimensional objects, computer files, binders or loose notes.
6.3 Collection Scope
The following sections define the scope of the Library’s collection, including specialized collections.
6.3.1 Material Formats
The Library acquires and maintains materials in a variety of formats to meet the diverse needs of the community. Format decisions are based on factors including community demand, accessibility, availability, cost, licensing or purchasing models, anticipated use, and available resources. Not all materials are available or acquired in every format.
6.3.2 Local Author Collection
The Library maintains a Local Author Collection featuring published works by residents of the Library’s service area. Materials purchased for or donated to the Local Author Collection are evaluated using the selection criteria outlined in Section 6.2. A completed Local Author Donation form must accompany all material donated to the collection.
6.3.3 Local and Family History Collection
The Library’s Local & Family History (LFH) Department acquires, preserves, and provides access to print, microfilm, archival, and digital collections that document the history, communities, and people of St. Joseph County in support of the educational and research activities of our local and remote constituents. LFH considers donations of archival materials and professionally printed and bound books that have a local connection but will not accept three-dimensional objects, computer files, binders or loose notes.
6.4 Responsibilities for Materials Selection
The Executive Director has the authority to guide the application of the Collection Development policy. The Director assigns qualified librarians to the Collection Services Department to make collection development decisions in accordance with this policy.
The Library subscribes to digital services in which third-party vendors, not Library staff, determine the specific titles or materials made available through the service. In these circumstances, the Library is unable to reconsider digital materials that an individual objects to, but may inform the third-party vendor of user concerns.
6.5 Patron Suggestions
Cardholders may suggest the Library add materials using the Suggest Material Form. Suggested works are subject to the selection criteria outlined in Section 6.2. Even if the Library does not add the suggested material, eligible cardholders may still request and obtain the material though interlibrary loan, subject to availability.
6.6 Labeling of Library Materials
The Library does not label or rate library materials to indicate approval or disapproval of their contents. Materials are not restricted by age except when necessary to protect them from damage or theft, consistent with the American Library Association’s Labeling and Rating Systems (Appendix F).
6.7 Library Materials for Minors
In accordance with the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and Access to Library Resources and Services for Minors (Appendix G), the Library provides equitable access to materials for users of all ages. The Library recognizes that parents and legal guardians are responsible for determining which library materials are appropriate for their minor children.
6.8 Materials Maintenance
The Library regularly evaluates its collection in accordance with the American Library Association’s Evaluating Library Collections (Appendix H). Materials may be removed from the collection based on factors including currency, physical condition, usage, continued relevance, and space considerations. Items may be replaced or permanently withdrawn as appropriate. Decisions to replace missing, lost, or damaged items are made using the same criteria outlined in Section 6.2.
6.9 Reconsideration of Library Materials
The St. Joseph County Public Library recognizes that members of the community may have concerns about specific titles and types of material selected for the Library’s collections. The Library will review requests for reconsideration in accordance with the American Library Association’s Challenged Resources (Appendix I). The final decision on each title reviewed for reconsideration will remain in effect for five years.
6.9.1 Request Requirements
An individual requesting reconsideration of library materials must reside within the St. Joseph County Public Library district and complete the Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form, available on the Library’s website. A separate form is required for each title or series and may be submitted by mail, email or in person at any Library location.
6.9.2 Review Process
The Request for Reconsideration form will be forwarded to the Collection Services Manager, who will notify the Executive Director and Administrative Team. The Executive Director will appoint a review committee consisting of three librarians. Within 10 business days, the committee will review the material to determine whether it conforms to the Collection Development Policy, considering professional reviews and the work as a whole. The committee will submit its recommendation to the Executive Director for approval. The Collection Development Manager will notify the individual of the decision in writing. All requests for reconsideration will be reported to the American Library Association Office for Intellectual Freedom.
6.9.3 Appeal Process
The individual may appeal the decision to the Board of Trustees by submitting a written request to the Executive Director within 30 days of the date of the reconsideration decision notification. The appeal will be heard at a regular meeting of the Board. The individual will be notified of the meeting date and time and must be present to address the Board for up to three minutes. The reconsideration review committee will then briefly present the basis for its recommendation. The Board will determine the appropriate action, and the individual will be notified of its decision in writing. The Board’s decision is final.
