Material Deselection

APPROVED BY:

Senior Staff

APPROVAL DATE:

May 15, 2019

EFFECTIVE DATE: 

May 15, 2019

Purpose

Libraries maintain dynamic collections through systematic evaluation of resources. Professional expertise combined with analytical data informs decisions about material retention and removal. Regular assessment ensures collections remain valuable assets serving community needs effectively.

Procedure EVALUATION FOR DESELECTION

1. Staff employ various resources to determine which materials require review. These tools complement professional expertise while highlighting items maintaining enduring significance and accessibility.

2. Librarians receive guidance supporting identification of appropriate candidates for removal while exercising independent professional decision-making.

3. Key evaluation criteria include:

   1. Access to updated information via digital platforms

   2. Availability through interlibrary loan networks

   3. Obsolete content or superseded editions

   4. Outdated information or obsolete formats

   5. Low circulation rates or internal usage patterns

   6. Physical deterioration affecting usability

   7. Content requiring modernization through refreshed titles

   8. Time-sensitive materials reflecting changing community interests

   9. Copies needing replacement due to condition concerns

Handling Deselected Items

BRANCH LOCATIONS

1. Circulation - Discarding Items Protocol removes items from catalog systems.

2. Stickers applied covering existing identifiers on both barcode areas and covers.

3. Stickers enable potential donation opportunities while retaining items for local supporters

MAIN LIBRARY

1. Designated collection points store items awaiting formal disposition.

2. Materials undergo scheduled collection by specialized teams for processing.

3. Standardized removal procedures apply across all locations.

Distribution Options

Processed materials follow three primary pathways:

1. Friends of Library program offers resale opportunities for quality items.

2. Internet Archive partnerships provide digitization options for acceptable materials.

3. Final disposition involves recycling of items no longer viable.

Additional display elements excluded from current process.