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Collection Development and Materials Selection Policy
Social Sciences (300-399)
The Social sciences collection covers a vast array of topics dealing with society and its issues: adolescence, retirement, motherhood, step-parenting, sex roles, relationships, characteristics of society, relationship with the environment, and ethnic groups.
320-329
Books in this section are intended to help nonprofessionals understand and participate in the political process of this country. Among the topics covered are basic political issues, special interest groups, and histories of political parties. Titles dealing with the political science of foreign countries are added if patron interest is evident (i.e. Korea, Israel, India)
370-379
The education collection covers all levels from kindergarten through college. Within that range it presents a retrospective look at the history and philosophy of education as well as issues, theory and methodology prevalent in the field today. The collection also includes an extensive selection of career materials as well as books of practice admission tests. Materials are geared toward students, career seekers, parents, and, to a lesser extent, teachers.
Influencing Factors
A diverse service population influences the selection of materials. The community's professional, intellectual and recreational pursuits and its diversity present a challenge to the Library in keeping the collection current with a rapidly changing world. Generally, the media are strong influences on patron interests and, consequently, on our selection of materials. Important also is the growing number of immigrants in the community who need citizenship and educational materials.
340-349
Patrons generally demand resources that allow them to be "at-home attorneys." They want to be informed of the laws that govern our society. There is great interest in such topics as living wills and probate.
370-379
The collection is used primarily by students seeking college, test, or career information and by parents seeking to help their children in various aspects of school curricula. These are the areas that will continue to be emphasized. However, with the large number of schools in and around this area, professional usage can be increased if the collection is augmented with materials for teachers and educators.
390-399
There is a continuing need for titles on historical costumes. Etiquette books are always popular, particularly business etiquette in the growing world market in which practical knowledge of other cultures is essential. The folklore books will always be in demand to answer the questions "Why do we do and say and believe...?"
Selection Plan
Besides the standard selection tools, newspapers, such as the Wall Street Journal, the Chicago Tribune, and the New York Times, are consulted for their book reviews. Publisher's catalogs are also used extensively in obtaining high-demand materials in areas such as career books, test guides, business books, tax guides, etc. Concentration should be on popularly written titles and materials of interest to the informed lay-person.
370-379
Library and education journals, and publishers catalogs such as ARCO, Barron's, or Petersons are the primary selection tools. There is a standing order for VGM career materials. If a gap needs to be filled in a certain area due to weeding or a need to update, the Books in Print is consulted under that subject area
Retention & Weeding
The social science collection needs aggresive weeding on an annual basis of duplicate copies, out-of-date materials, and books that are damaged or are in poor condition. Primary consideration is given to keeping the collection current, but classic titles and historical studies should be retained. Many areas, such as crime, personal finance, political science, some areas of law and legal issues, tax materials, real estate, etc., can be weeded heavily each year because the materials date rapidly. New titles are preferred rather than replacement copies.
340-349
Because law materials date rapidly, retrospective development is not feasible. Weeding must be done on a continual basis with updates and new editions purchased to replace the old titles.
360-369
This area can be problematical as even old titles on such subjects as adoption, personal narratives on mental illness, addiction and other personal problems still circulate heavily. The most popular segment of the 360s is the true crime narratives of which there is prolific publication. They circulate heavily when first published but don't have the lasting circulation potential of mystery fiction. These should generally be retained no more than five years. The currency and relevancy of insurance materials should be carefully monitored.
370-379
The collection has been thoroughly weeded and now needs to be kept up on a regular basis. More of the standardized tests should be put on standing order, with more than one publisher represented for the major tests. Care should be taken to withdraw older copies of tests due to Dewey number changes. Dates of career materials should be checked on a yearly basis. Condition of books and frequency of use are other factors to take into consideration.
Development Plan
Collection emphasis should be on keeping the collection current and relevant to the interests and needs of the community in areas such as investments, citizenship, and curriculum needs. Occasionally duplicate copies are needed to satisfy patron demand, but, in general, single copies are sufficient.
360-369
Currency is the key concern in developing the 360's. Another area to which particular attention should be paid is augmenting "pro and con" materials for the college, high school and junior high patrons whose studies frequently take them to the 360s. Here careful examination of publishers' catalogs is of great importance.
370-379
There is no need for retrospective development because historical educational issues are covered. Heavy weeding was recently done in this area so gaps do exist that may need to be filled to meet patron needs. The emphasis should be on keeping the collection current and augmenting the collection in areas that are weak or limited in scope, such as adult education, special education and materials for teachers.
390-399
Careful scrutiny is needed to obtain materials helpful to Morton Grove's immigrant population in their quest to understand American life and customs. Likewise, those doing business overseas need whatever assistance is available in understanding non-American cultures.
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