Merida English Library Collection Development Policy
Goals - To guide acquisition and maintenance of the library collection to insure diverse materials for the community we serve.
Responsibility - Under the direction of the MEL library board and in conjunction with the library administrator, the Library Collections Committee (LCC) will work with our volunteers to carry out library policies.
General Principles -
Library Bill of Rights: Basic to this policy is the Library Bill of Rights, adopted by the American Library Association, which affirms that all libraries are repositories for information and ideas, and that all points of view on current and historical issues are presented within the limits of funding.
Collection criteria: To better serve our members, the following criteria are used for selection and maintenance of materials.
Popular and regional interest
Cost and availability
Compatibility with existing materials
Patron requests
Format and ease of use
Literary importance and recognition
Historical value
MEL Collection Includes:
Fiction and nonfiction English-language materials for adults, children and young adults
Latin American fiction and nonfiction materials (including travel, history, art, and archaeology), with an emphasis on Yucatecan and Maya topics
Spanish and English language learning materials
Non-circulating reference materials
DVDs and CD audio books
Magazines, games and puzzles
Material we do not collect:
Textbooks (except Spanish and English language learning materials)
Workbooks and other curricular materials
Encyclopedias
Music
VHS and cassette tapes
Religious materials, with the exception of key texts from major world religions
User manuals and instructional materials
Materials in poor condition, missing or torn pages and/or cover, odor, mold or mildew
Removing Materials from Circulation
Materials will be continuously re-evaluated to ensure usefulness and relevance. Withdrawn materials may be offered for sale, given to other libraries or non-profit organizations or the public. Evaluation criteria for removal from circulation include:
Obsolescence
Damage or poor condition
Material that has not been checked out in five years
Duplicates
Space limitations
Responsibility for Children’s Access to Library Materials
Children have access to all materials in the library. Parents and legal guardians are responsible for monitoring their children while on the premises.