Library Collection Development Policy 

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BACKGROUND

The Far North District Council operates six public libraries, supports four community libraries and one area school community library.

The six public libraries with full library services are located in Kaitaia, Kaikohe, Kawakawa, Kerikeri, Paihia and Kaeo.

A mobile library outreach service is also in operation.

There are over 104,000 items in the Far North District Libraries’ collection. The collection is managed as one entity, with requests filled regionally and customers able to borrow and return items at any of the Far North District libraries.

The Far North District Libraries has a number of collections which are distinct and unique, including the following:

Local History collections – these collections are held in the Archives Room at the Procter Library and includes the Nancy Pickmere Collection. The Fen Barrett Collection is a small collection located at Kaikohe Library.

Māori collections – these collections are held in the majority of libraries across the region.

Digital Library – provides access to databases, eBooks, eMagazines and eAudiobooks.

This policy sets out how the libraries’ collection is managed to ensure that the collection remains relevant to the community. The resources of the Far North District Libraries are owned by the Far North District Council on behalf of the ratepayers of the Far North District with the Manager – Libraries and Museum being responsible for ensuring these assets are maintained and available for public access.

Community libraries are excluded from this policy. Currently some of the community libraries are supported by loan arrangements. These arrangements will continue until we undertake future planning with communities around facilities and services for the Far North District.

 

OBJECTIVE

To provide a framework for the acquisition and development of the Far North District Libraries’ collection, to ensure that:

  • The collection remains relevant to library users
  • The quality of the collection is maintained
  • Key resources are preserved for posterity
  • All relevant legislation is complied with

Individual collection management guidelines will provide further detail about specific collections.

 

POLICY STATEMENTS

 1. Far North District Libraries’ service will provide collections that reflect Northland’s communities

  • Collections which are accessible, understandable, and appealing.
  • Open access to a broad range of library materials.
  • Collections in digital format are freely available.
  • A region-wide collection that also reflects the history and interests of local communities.
  • Northland’s unique stories are collected, preserved, and shared.
  • Prioritising the collection of New Zealand, Northland, and Māori materials, including those in Māori languages.
  • Collections which engage children and young people in reading, learning and discovery.
  • Resources accessible for a wide range of customers, including those with disabilities. Amongst other formats, digital resources will increasingly be the means to deliver this access.
  • Resources in a variety of formats that are accessible to Northland communities and all age groups.
  • Collections shaped by stakeholder relationships, collection usage information and customer and community feedback derived from surveys, suggestions, comments, and complaints.
  • Responsibility for purchasing material for collection development is delegated to selected staff and FNDC’s contracted outsourcing agency, however all staff and borrowers may make recommendations. The final responsibility for the selection of all library materials rests with the Manager – Libraries and Museum.

2. Far North District Libraries’ service is committed to Mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge)

  • The Far North District Council recognises the unique place of Māori as tangata whenua, the indigenous people of Aotearoa New Zealand.
  • Investment will be made in the breadth and richness of collections to promote te reo Māori and access will be provided to Māori knowledge, heritage, and identity for Māori and for everyone who seeks this information through libraries.
  • Matters regarding ownership of Māori material will be addressed in a manner characterised by cooperation and partnership and which respects tikanga Māori.

3. Far North District Libraries’ service is committed to the principle of freedom of access to information

  • Material will not be supressed or removed because it gives offence.
  • All material is assessed and placed into age-appropriate collections. Parents and caregivers are responsible for their child’s selection and viewing of library materials.
  • The Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa (LIANZA) statements on Access to Information and Intellectual Freedom are endorsed.
  • The library is guided by the International Federation of Library Associations and
  • Institutions Statutes, and the UNESCO Public Library Manifesto.
  • The Films, Videos and Publications Act 1993 is complied with.
  • The Copyright Act 1994 and subsequent amendments are complied with.
  • The ongoing protection and expansion of customer access to digital content will be advocated for.

4. Far North District Libraries’ service will purchase and manage the collections to provide the best value for the people of Northland

  • A region-wide and local accountability for the strategic management of collections will be maintained.
  • Fiscal responsibility in all aspects of collection development will be exercised.
  • Use and access to library material will be maximised by making material available for loan wherever possible.
  • The performance of collections will be measured to ensure they deliver the objectives of this policy.
  • The library management reserves the right to make final judgement on collection development decisions.

5. Collection management guidelines

5.1 Selection criteria

Far North District Libraries’ current use collections will be driven by the guiding principles, focus mainly on new and popular works, and will incorporate the following criteria:

  • responding to customer and community demand and local interest
  • continuing relevance to the wider Northland community
  • enhancing strengths and addressing gaps in the collection
  • suitable library format
  • the quality of the item, with reference to the average expected price
  • generally purchasing items that have been published within the last three years (except for replacement purposes)
  • avoiding self-published and independently-published items, unless deemed relevant

Multiple copies and new editions are selected based on customer demand and anticipated popularity.

The library service does not generally purchase textbooks, abridged items, or workbooks.

5.2 Collection donations

Far North District Libraries may occasionally accept gifts or donations such as:

  • Bequests to spend on material, equipment, or services
  • Local history resources not currently held by the Library
  • New or nearly new high-demand titles
  • DVDs (must be Region 4 compatible, in “as new” condition, display the current NZ classification sticker)

All donations must meet the same selection criteria as purchased resources. Items not meeting these criteria will not be accepted or will be disposed of or redistributed.

The library service does not accept conditions set by the donor and reserves the right to dispose of or redistribute material.

Donations received may be acknowledged in the form of a letter of thanks or bookplates.

Donated religious or political material must be readily available through mainstream bookstores.

5.3 Collection evaluation

  • Library collections will be attractive and appealing to customers.
  • Current use collections will be regularly assessed for relevance, age, and condition.
  • Collection material will be reviewed to identify material that is either in poor condition, not current or no longer popular. Material may be retained, transferred, or deselected as appropriate.
  • Replacement of collection material which is in poor condition but remains relevant may be undertaken.

5.4 Storage and transfer

  • Items of lasting value, or in diminished but still evident demand will be moved to the stack collection. For example, works on the Northland region and/or by Northland authors, out of print New Zealand works, Māori material.
  • Items of relevance to the Northland region may be transferred to the Local History collection.

5.5 Deselection and disposal

  • Library staff have the delegated authority to dispose of library collection assets following guidelines.
  • Deselection and disposal guidelines for individual collections are detailed in the relevant collection management guidelines.
  • Materials that are no longer required may be:
    • given to the local community libraries
    • given to other libraries including school libraries
    • donated to institutions such as rest homes, hospitals, and prisons
    • sold to the public at book sales
    • recycled or otherwise disposed of
  • Local history collections are an appreciating asset and are valued on a regular basis. Local history collections are not deselected or disposed of except in exceptional circumstances.

5.6 Preservation

  • The library management is committed to the long-term preservation of the local history collections.
  • The need for community access will be balanced with the responsibility to preserve the local history collections for posterity.

5.7 Processing

  • Current use items will be processed as per the guidelines set with the FNDC outsourcing agency.
  • Any identifying labels on library collections will be consistent and designed for ease of customer understanding and use.

 

Far North District Libraries 
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