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Collection Development and Materials Selection Policy
Periodicals The Periodicals collection consists of approximately 350 titles, including approximately 40 titles in the Children's Department, and approximately 50 reference serials. The collection includes popular titles in a broad range of subject areas. Influencing Factors
The Library acquires and maintains a periodical collection to serve the informational, educational, and recreational needs of the community. Patrons' demands for current information are frequently met by the periodical holdings. Additionally, the needs of the community's diverse ethnic component are addressed by the inclusion of foreign titles in the collection. Because annual subscription costs for periodicals have greatly surpassed increases in book prices and the general rate of inflation, consideration is given to dropping a subscription when a new one is added to contain annual expenditures for periodicals. The Library's objective is to have a well-balanced general periodical collection that includes titles in all subject areas appropriate to a medium-sized public library serving a diverse suburban clientele. Patron and staff suggestions for addition to the collection are evaluated by such standard selection tools as Ulrich's International Periodical Directory, Magazines for Libraries, ads and sample issues. A primary consideration for addition to the collection, in addition to cost, is whether the title is indexed in one of the Library's periodical databases on Infotrac's SearchBank.
Because of current space limitations, the size of the periodicals collection must remain stable. Titles are kept for varying lengths of time, though the majority are retained for five years. Usage is continually evaluated, and titles not used are weeded so that new periodicals can be acquired. The microfilm collection, as well, must be contained to current space parameters since it grows steadily due to current subscriptions. The primary objective for the present is to keep the collection current to satisfy patrons' needs and interests, so titles are added and weeded as necessary. Rising periodical prices and space limitations will necessitate a fairly stable collection. Consideration may be given to cancellation of more marginal, little-used titles to make room for titles which would add more depth to the collection. Microfilms of psychology journals that were part of the now-ended special psychology collection of the Library will be weeded to make room for current microfilm subscriptions as needed. While the Library's current periodical collection meets the "Minimum" standard of the Illinois Library Association's Serving Our Public standards for public libraries serving a population the size of Morton Grove, the ultimate goal for the collection is to reach the "Established" standard. This will necessitate major additions of funding and of space for the collection. Therefore, any steps toward this goal must await future budget and space allocations. |
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