Collection Development Policy

I. Introduction

The Rockport Public Library serves a diverse coastal community with varied informational, educational, cultural, and recreational needs. The Library’s collection supports lifelong learning, intellectual freedom, civic engagement, community interconnectedness, and personal enrichment for people of all ages and backgrounds. This Collection Development Policy provides a framework for the selection, maintenance, and evaluation of library materials in all formats.

The Library affirms its commitment to the principles of intellectual freedom as expressed in the First Amendment of the United States Constitution and endorsed by the American Library Association (ALA), including the Library Bill of Rights (https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill), the Freedom to Read Statement (https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomreadstatement), and the Freedom to View Statement (https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomviewstatement). These documents are considered integral to this policy and are adopted by reference.

II. Purpose of the Policy

The purpose of this policy is to:

  • Guide staff in the consistent selection, acquisition, evaluation, and deselection of library materials
  • Inform the public about the principles and criteria governing the Library’s collection
  • Provide a clear process for reconsideration of materials
  • Support transparency, accountability, and professional judgment in collection decisions

III. Statement of Responsibility

Responsibility for the development and maintenance of the Library’s collection rests with the Library Director, who may delegate selection and deselection responsibilities to qualified staff. All collection decisions are made within the framework of this policy, budgetary constraints, space considerations, and the Library’s mission.

The Board of Trustees adopts this policy and supports staff in the professional application of its principles.

IV. Philosophy of Collection Development

The Rockport Public Library provides access to materials representing a wide range of viewpoints, experiences, cultures, and ideas. The presence of an item in the collection does not imply endorsement by the Library, its staff, or its Board of Trustees.

Materials are selected to meet community needs rather than to conform to particular beliefs or opinions. No item is excluded solely because of the race, nationality, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, political views, or social perspectives of its creator or audience.

Parents and legal guardians are responsible for guiding their own children’s reading, viewing, and listening choices.

V. Description of the Selection Process

Selection is an ongoing process that balances professional judgment, community interest, budgetary limitations, and space constraints. Materials may be acquired through purchase, subscription, licensing, or donation.

The Library welcomes and encourages patron suggestions for materials. All suggestions are evaluated using the same professional criteria applied to all collection decisions.

Selection decisions are informed by:

  • Community demographics and interests
  • Patron requests
  • Collection balance and depth
  • Currency and accuracy of information
  • Format availability and durability

VI. Selection Tools

Selectors may use, but are not limited to, the following tools:

  • Professional review sources (e.g., Library Journal, Booklist, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews)
  • Reputable online review platforms
  • Bestseller lists and award lists
  • Publisher catalogs and vendor tools
  • Recommendations from patrons and staff
  • Circulation data and collection analysis reports

VII. General Criteria for Selection (All Formats)

Materials are evaluated as a whole rather than on isolated passages or scenes. Criteria may include:

  • Relevance to community needs and interests
  • Accuracy, authority, and credibility
  • Timeliness and lasting value
  • Quality of content and presentation
  • Diversity of viewpoints and representation
  • Demand and anticipated use
  • Physical or digital format suitability
  • Cost and availability

VIII. Format-Specific Selection Criteria

A. Adult Fiction (Physical and Digital)

  • Literary merit or popular appeal
  • Contribution to a diverse and balanced collection
  • Author recognition or emerging voices
  • Reader interest and trends

B. Adult Nonfiction (Physical and Digital)

  • Accuracy and authority of information
  • Currency and relevance
  • Scope and depth appropriate to a public library
  • Representation of varying perspectives

C. Young Adult Materials (Physical and Digital)

  • Relevance to teens and emerging adults
  • Age-appropriate content and themes
  • Authentic representation of teen experiences
  • Support for educational and recreational reading

D. Children’s Materials (Physical and Digital)

  • Developmental appropriateness
  • Quality of writing, illustration, and design
  • Support for early literacy and learning
  • Representation of diverse individuals, families, cultures, and experiences

E. Music (Physical and Digital)

  • Artistic and cultural significance
  • Popular demand and community interest
  • Variety of genres and traditions

F. Movies and Television (DVD/Blu-ray/Streaming)

  • Artistic, educational, or entertainment value
  • Technical quality
  • Representation of diverse voices, content, and genres

G. Audiobooks (Physical and Digital)

  • Narration quality
  • Demand for accessible formats
  • Balance of fiction and nonfiction

H. Video Games (Physical and Digital)

  • Popular demand and cultural relevance
  • Platform compatibility
  • Age ratings and content descriptions

I. Library of Things

  • Community usefulness and interest
  • Safety, durability, and ease of maintenance
  • Space and storage considerations
  • Clear instructions and liability requirements

J. Archival and Local History Materials

  • Relevance to Rockport and surrounding communities
  • Historical, cultural, genealogical, or research value
  • Preservation requirements and feasibility

K. Other Formats

The Library may collect emerging formats as resources, technology, and community needs evolve.

L. Databases and Electronic Resources

  • Relevance to community informational, educational, and recreational needs
  • Authority, accuracy, and reliability of content providers
  • Ease of use, accessibility, and compatibility with common devices
  • Scope, depth, educational value, and uniqueness of content
  • Cost-effectiveness and value relative to anticipated use
  • Licensing terms, including user limits, privacy protections, and data security
  • Availability of remote access for library cardholders
  • Alignment with statewide, regional, or consortium offerings

The Library is committed to protecting patron privacy in the use of electronic resources and will prioritize vendors whose data collection and retention practices align with professional standards and applicable laws.

Databases and electronic resources are subject to ongoing evaluation and may be discontinued based on cost increases, low usage, changes in licensing terms, vendor reliability, or the availability of superior or more cost-effective alternatives.

M. Newspapers and Magazines (Print and Digital)

  • Timeliness and frequency of publication
  • Relevance to local, regional, national, or international interests
  • Accuracy, journalistic standards, and editorial quality
  • Balance of viewpoints across the overall periodicals collection
  • Anticipated use and readership demand
  • Availability of reliable digital access or archival coverage
  • Physical durability and space considerations for print formats
  • Cost, subscription terms, and licensing restrictions (for digital editions)

IX. Deselection (Weeding)

Deselection is a vital part of maintaining a useful, current, and attractive collection. Materials are regularly reviewed to ensure continued relevance and condition.

Deselection decisions are based on objective, professional collection management principles and are not influenced by partisan, doctrinal, or moral objections.

Materials may be withdrawn based on:

  • Outdated or inaccurate information
  • Low or declining usage
  • Physical condition or damage
  • Superseded editions
  • Space limitations
  • Availability of newer or more appropriate materials

Deselected items may be discarded, recycled, or donated at the Library’s discretion.

X. Gifts of Materials

The Rockport Public Library accepts gifts of materials with the understanding that:

  • All donated items are subject to the same selection criteria as purchased materials
  • The Library reserves the right to add, not add, dispose of, or otherwise use donated materials at its discretion
  • The Library does not provide appraisals or valuations of donated items for tax purposes

Donations that cannot be added to the collection may be donated, recycled, or discarded.

XI. Reconsideration of Library Materials

The Library recognizes that patrons may occasionally question the inclusion of specific materials. Requests for reconsideration are taken seriously and handled in a respectful, transparent manner.

All reconsideration requests will be handled confidentially to the extent permitted by law.

Patrons requesting reconsideration must:

  • Be residents of the Rockport Public Library’s service area
  • Complete a Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form (see Appendix A)

Materials under reconsideration will remain available during the review process.

The Library Director will review the request, considering the material as a whole and in relation to this policy. A written response will be provided. Decisions may be appealed to the Board of Trustees.

 

 

XIV. Appendix A: Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials

This form must be completed in full and submitted to the Library Director.

Name: ________________________________

Address: _____________________________

Phone/Email: _________________________

Title of Material: _____________________

Author/Creator: ______________________

Format: ☐ Book ☐ Movie ☐ Audio ☐ Game ☐ Database ☐ Other __________

Have you read/viewed/listened to the entire work? ☐ Yes ☐ No

What concerns you about this material?

What do you believe is the intended audience?

What action are you requesting? ☐ Remove from collection ☐ Relocate ☐ Reconsider age placement ☐ Other __________________________________

What material would you suggest as a replacement (if any)?

Signature: ____________________________ Date: __________

 

 

XIII. Review of Policy

This policy will be reviewed periodically by the Library Director and Board of Trustees and updated as needed to reflect changes in community needs, professional standards, and available formats.

 

Approved by the Rockport Public Library Board of Trustees on January 14, 2026