The library provides the use of material in a variety of media formats to serve the general informational, educational, and recreational needs within its diverse community. Media formats may include videocassettes, audiocassettes, recordings, cassette/book combinations, books-on-tape, compact discs, CD-ROMs, and DVDs. The type of media provided will depend on the popularity and availability of the media, availability of equipment, and technological changes. Meeting these needs in a variety of media formats is also supportive of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Titles are chosen for a wide, general audience and not to support any specific educational curriculum or for the exclusive use of any one group. This policy is designed to conform to the library's existing collection management policy #D032.

Material is selected to serve the broad, general interest ranges of the St. Charles City-County Library District. The library is a medium-sized district with a fast-growing population and a commitment to expand its services continually to meet the changing needs of the community. There will be media collections of general interest at all branches of the library district. Regional branches will have larger collections and will include material in the subject specialties of business, local history, genealogy, nonprofit, and government.

The library district has designated employees to coordinate the selection, acquisition, and withdrawal of materials within the media collection. The collection will include material for children, young adults, and adults. The purchase of multiple copies of any title shall be based upon public demand, budgetary factors, and representation of similar subject matter already in the collection. This collection is not intended to compete with local rental stores and therefore offers a different selection focus.

Popular demand for subjects, authors, and/or specific titles

Local interest of subject, author, and/or producer

Recognized author, performer, composer, director, and/or artist

The current content of the collection and its relationship to other materials in the system

Critical reviews, when available

Unbiased and objective treatment of subject

Quality of the production

Inclusion in standard lists of recommended titles

Cost of the item in relation to the budget as a whole

Awards and recommendations

Large continuous series or sets will be considered on an individual basis taking physical storage space and cataloging into account

Lost or damaged media titles shall not be replaced or repaired automatically. Replacements of high demand titles shall be made when budgetary constraints allow, the titles are still available, and the titles meet current selection criteria. Staff and customer input may be used to help determine which titles will be retained or replaced, and in what quantities.

Media shall be checked or cleaned on a periodic basis to maintain the condition of each and to determine if the quality has deteriorated. Items that have been identified by patrons or staff as having defects shall be examined by the selector(s) to determine if the item can or should be repaired. Consideration will be given to the number of times the item has already been sent out for repair, whether the cost of repair is more than the current worth of the item, the availability of a replacement, whether the title is still in demand, and whether the title meets the current selection criteria as set forth in this policy.

The media collection(s) shall be periodically examined to determine continued relevance to patron needs and selection criteria. Factors such as usage, physical condition, and the accuracy and timeliness of the information presented shall also be considered.

Gift selections shall be accepted by the media selector(s) according to the library’s gift policy #D064.

(Revised 3/8/04)