Collection Development Policy

The Adult Services Department of the Glen Ellyn Public Library primarily serves patrons from 9th grade through adulthood. The Department focuses on providing popular and informational materials in a variety of formats. The library collection offers a full range of popular materials to satisfy all recreational reading tastes as well as up-to-date informational materials to enable the citizens of Glen Ellyn to understand their world and make informed decisions. Funds are allocated for various areas of the collection based on demand demonstrated by circulation history and the need to develop new subject or format areas. 

A. Selection Tools

The following selection tools are used to determine purchases in the Adult Services Department:

• Booklist
• Chicago Tribune Books
• Fiction Catalog
• Library Journal
• Magazines for Libraries
• New York Times Book Review
• Public Library Catalog
• Publishers Weekly
• Science Books & Films
• Voice of Youth Advocates
• USA Today Best Seller List

Additionally, the Adult Services Department uses the monthly product announcements from Ingram and Baker & Taylor, the summer reading lists from the high schools, and occasionally specialized catalogs on specific topics such as collectibles, test preparation guidebooks, and some AV products.

B. Weeding Criteria

General weeding criteria include poor condition, dated illustrations or content, or general lack of circulation within a given time period. Titles for which multiple copies were purchased will be periodically reviewed and weeded dependent upon continued demand. Specific criteria are listed below in each section. Titles that are listed in the current edition of Public Library Catalog and its supplements and Fiction Catalog are core collection titles and will be withdrawn only if they can be replaced or are beyond repair. Special attention should be given by selectors to the withdrawn and missing/damaged reports so that the library does not lose the last copy of a core collection title inadvertently. Hardbacks may be replaced by paperback format if the hardback is no longer available. Paperbacks in poor condition are replaced or withdrawn, not repaired.

C. Added Copies

The library purchases one additional copy for every two reserves on a title. By keeping the ratio of two requests per copy the library is able to keep the reserve lists short and minimize the amount of time that a patron is waiting for a copy of a popular title. Daily reserve reports keep the department head aware of demand. The library has a standing order with Ingram to supply copies of popular fiction authors. This standing order program is reviewed annually to adjust the number of copies purchased.

The library participates in LINC, an automation consortium of 8 public libraries in the DuPage Library System. Reserves for the first available copy of the title regardless of which library owns the copy will fill titles placed into the LINC system. This gives the patrons of Glen Ellyn Public Library quicker access to titles that the library owns that are currently checked out but available at another LINC library. It also provides patrons with direct access to titles that the Glen Ellyn Public Library does not own but that are owned by another LINC Library. Patrons are able to place their own reserves directly without contacting a staff member.

Titles that are not available through LINC will be obtained from other libraries within the DuPage Library System, the state of Illinois or out-of-state by the staff. Recently published titles that are requested and are unavailable through LINC will be considered for purchase. All titles considered for purchase must be of interest to the general high school or adult reader. Specific technical titles, textbooks (with some exceptions), and workbooks are generally not considered for purchase. The Adult Department does currently purchase a few titles in foreign languages.

Attention is given to having the same classification for a title regardless of format e.g., a book that the library owns in the nonfiction collection, the large print collection and the book on tape collection should have the same call number in all three collections. The library does not usually purchase spiral bound titles, and hardback binding is generally preferred if available.

D. Fiction Collection

The fiction collection is a predominantly hardback print collection. It is the second largest collection in the library. Both hardback and paperback fiction titles are classified by genres and are assigned Library of Congress Subject Headings. Genres used for hardback fiction are Mystery, Science Fiction and Western. The New Fiction collection accounts for almost half of the circulation of Fiction titles. The library keeps titles as New Fiction for 1 year. They are available for loan to other libraries after 6 months unless there is continued local demand. The library purchases popular, genre and literary fiction to meet the patrons' interests. 

Previous circulation history of well-known authors is reviewed, and the number of copies purchased is based on previous demand. Well-reviewed titles are given a priority, but the library does purchase titles that are not well reviewed but are popular with our patrons.

The Fiction category applies to titles that cover general themes, short story collections by a single author, legal thrillers, suspense, horror, techno-thrillers, historical and spy fiction. Titles are designated as mystery, which have a dead body and a detective. Every attempt is made to acquire and maintain books in a series written by a popular author. Science Fiction is the designation for titles that deal with time travel involving machines, most fiction set in the future, space travel, aliens, etc. It also includes most fantasy and alternate world fiction. Every attempt is made to acquire and maintain books in a series written by a popular author. Titles designated as Western are set in the “old west” and usually feature a lone hero. Modern novels with general themes set in the west are in Fiction. The separate Western genre designation may be phased out in the future. 

The fiction collection should be evaluated and weeded every 5 years. Once an individual title is no longer popular the library should not retain more than 3 copies of a specific title. Titles that are not listed in Fiction Catalog and have not circulated for 10 years will be considered for weeding.

E. Large Print Collection

Large Print titles are purchased for the vision impaired who are having difficulty reading regular print. Large Print titles are usually duplicates of titles held in the other collections, both fiction and non-fiction titles. Due to space considerations this is a collection that needs to be evaluated every year so that only titles that have a continuing interest with our large print patrons will be maintained.

F. Adult Paperback Collection

The adult paperback collection is made up principally of fiction titles and like the Fiction collection the adult paperback collection is divided into genres. Titles issued in large trade paperback format are shelved with the regular fiction collection. Due to space considerations the paperback collection contains multiple copies of classic literature titles that are in demand on school reading lists and that are only available in paperback editions. Popular authors are purchased as demand and space allows. Over half of the circulation of the paperback collection comes from the romance paperbacks. These titles are usually not available in any other format and are in high demand by our patrons. The paperback collection should be weeded every other year. Coordination between the fiction selectors and the paperback selector ensures that popular fiction is purchased in paperback binding when the last hardback copy is withdrawn.

G. Literacy Collection

The Literacy Collection is for new adult readers of English. This could be patrons who speak English as their native language but are developing their reading skills or patrons for whom English is not their native language even though they are literate but in their own language. Titles in the collection are designated by a symbol on the spine of the item. Both fiction and non-fiction titles are included in this collection in both print and non-print formats. This collection does include some textbooks and workbooks. This is a developing collection and should be evaluated every 5 years.

H. Non-Fiction Collection

The non-fiction collection is comprised of informational books that support the recreational and educational needs of 9th graders through adulthood. It is the largest collection in the library and accounts for over 30% of the adult circulation. The library does not normally purchase textbooks or workbooks. However materials are purchased to support recurrent junior high and high school assignments in such areas as medieval times, genetic diseases, the elements, biomes, etc.

The non-fiction collection of the Glen Ellyn Public Library is classified in the Dewey Decimal System and uses Library of Congress Subject Headings. The collection is predominantly a print collection although non-fiction videos, language audiocassettes, and some other kits are classified with Dewey numbers and shelved with the books. There is also an oversized book area. These items are shelved separately because of their size.

Once an individual title is no longer popular the library should not retain more than 1 copy of a specific title. With a few exceptions the library will retain only the current edition of a title. Titles that are not listed in the current edition of Public Library Catalog and its supplements will be considered for weeding. Even though we are in a new building, shelving space in the non-fiction collection is already a concern. Vigorous weeding is required in some areas of the collection.

The 10 most popular subject areas account for more than half of the circulation in the non-fiction collection. These areas are the 640’s – Cookery and Parenting; 910’s --Travel; 610’s – Health and Exercise; 740’s – Interior Design; Biography; 790’s – Sports and Performing Arts; 630’s – Gardening; 970’s – U.S. History; 650’s – Business Management; 330’s – Personal Finance. 

1. 000-099 Generalities
   Popular subject areas in the 000’s include computers, circulating encyclopedias and books about the media. 3% of the total circulation of non-fiction titles comes from this area and over 85 % of the circulation in this area is the computer books. This is a high interest area that needs to be kept up-to-date. Some titles on older software applications are kept, but the bulk of the collection is devoted to newer software titles that are currently in widespread use. Publisher’s Weekly computer bestseller list is a useful selection tool for this area. The computer collection should be evaluated and weeded every two years. The library retains a circulating set of the next most recent edition of the World Book Encyclopedia. Other titles in the area should be evaluated every 5 years. Titles that have not circulated in 5 years will be considered for weeding.
2. 100-199 Philosophy and Psychology
   Popular subject areas in the 100’s include self-help books and the occult. 5% of the total circulation of non-fiction titles comes from this area. 60% of the circulation in the 100’s is in the 150’s that are the self-help or applied psychology titles. 25% of the circulation in this area is in the occult area. This is a high loss area and should be evaluated every two years to maintain adequate coverage. With the exception of the 130’s (the occult), this area should be evaluated and weeded every 5 years. Titles that have not circulated in 5 years will be considered for weeding.
3. 200-299 Religion
   New Age and Eastern Religions, Christian moral theology and classical mythology (a recurrent school assignment) are the areas of highest interest in the 200’s. The Religion area is 4% of the circulation in the non-fiction area. In addition to popular titles in this area, we maintain the basic theological texts for all major religions both western and eastern. The Religion Best Sellers List in Publishers Weekly is a useful selection tool. Patron interest in this area is growing. Information in this area is usually not time sensitive. Evaluation and weeding of this area should be every 5 years. Titles that have not circulated in 5 years will be considered for weeding.
4. 300-399 Social Sciences
   Popular subjects in this area are Personal Finance and Careers; True Crime; Sociology and Culture; Education and Test Preparation Books; and the Costumes, Holidays and Etiquette area. The broad ranges of subjects in this area account for 12% of the non-fiction circulation. The area of Personal Finance, which includes investing, wills, mortgages and taxes, is a large and well-developed collection. Current information is crucial in this area. Tax guides are kept for 7 years. Multiple copies are weeded out after the current tax year. Titles in the 330’s will be considered for weeding if they have not circulated in 5 years. The college guides and test preparation books are heavily used. This is an area that needs to be kept up-to date. Titles in this area will be considered for weeding if they have not circulated in 3 years. True crime and legal books are increasing in popularity. We have an adequate collection of current titles in this area. The library is developing a historical collection of almanacs. Another area that needs some evaluation and development is the costume and holiday area. Titles in the legal, personal investment, colleges guide and test preparation areas need to be evaluated every 2 years. All other areas should be weeded every 5 years. Titles with the exceptions noted above will be considered for weeding if they have not circulated for 5 years.
5. 400-499 Languages
   Popular subjects in the 400’s include foreign language instruction materials, dictionaries for English and English/Foreign Language dictionaries, sign language information and thesauri. Circulation in the 400’s accounts for slightly less than 1% of the circulation of non-fiction titles. This is a high loss area and funds are frequently needed to fill collection gaps that are the result of loss. It is important to maintain a good selection of English/Foreign Language dictionaries. This collection should be weeded every 10 years. Titles that have not circulated for 5 years will be considered for weeding.
6. 500-599 Natural Sciences and Mathematics
   Popular subjects in this area include animal books and videos, which are heavily used for school assignments, astronomy and weather. 3% of the non-fiction circulation comes from this area. Although the 500’s are the most popular non-fiction area with youth, adults are more interested in the applied sciences. This is an area where the library does purchase some textbooks, since they are frequently the best source for well-written overviews on physics, mathematics, astronomy, etc. This area needs to be weeded and updated frequently. This area should be weeded every 3 years. Titles that have not circulated in 5 years will be considered for weeding.
7. 600-699 Applied Science and Technology
   This area accounts for 25% of the circulation in non-fiction. Four of the top 10 subject areas are in the 600’s. One third of the circulation in this area is from the Home Economics number, the 640’s. This Dewey number contains cooking, parenting and household management information. The library spends heavily in this area and this is an area that generates many requests from patrons for specific titles. The medical and health area is also very well used. The library has good coverage in this collection. This area needs to be evaluated and weeded every two years. Most medical books should be weeded if they are more than 5 years old. Other areas of interest are the management and resume books, gardening, and pets. The library has good coverage in the management and resume area, within this area job guides for other cities need to be kept updated. The pets area is popular. This is another area that needs to be evaluated and expanded. The library subscribes to a series of car repair manuals published by Chilton’s for specific automobiles. Requests for technical manuals are referred for interlibrary loan. Because of the size of this area, different sections need to be evaluated and weeded every year on a 5-year cycle. Titles that have not circulated in 5 years will be considered for weeding.
8.  700-799 The Arts
   19% of the non-fiction circulation comes from this area and over 40% of the circulation in this area come from the Drawing and Decorative Arts numbers, the 740’s. This high-interest area includes Interior Design, Furniture and Cartoon Books. Another 24% of the circulation come from the sports and performing arts area. It is the practice of the library to put biographies that deal with the careers of sports personalities in this area. Other areas of strong interest in the 700’s include music and musical groups, painters and painting techniques and pottery. For several years the library participated in a cooperative collectibles collection development agreement with several area libraries. As the result of this cooperation the library developed a strong collection of books on dinnerware and art pottery. The department also collects the catalogs of shows at the Art Institute of Chicago and books on the permanent Art Institute collections. Attention needs to be given to keeping price guides in the 700’s current. Most of the oversized books are 700’s. The 700’s are due for a major weeding. This collection should be weeded every 5 years. Titles that have not circulated in 5 years will be considered for weeding.
9. 800-899 Literature
   The 800’s support students seeking information and critical analysis of writers and their works. 5 % of the non-fiction circulation is the 800’s. Popular subject areas include American and English literature, particularly critical analyses and humorous writing. We also have a good collection of modern American plays. Short stories by more than one author are part of this collection. The library purchases copies of prize-winning collections of poetry and plays. The library purchases copies of plays that are playing at the Goodman Theatre and the Village Theater Guild. This collection should be weeded every 10 years. Titles that have not circulated for 5 years will be considered for weeding.
10. 900-999 Geography and History
    Two of the most popular nonfiction areas are in the 900s, travel and U.S. History. Travel alone is 10% of the total non-fiction circulation. We have recently been able to expand and update the travel collection. We are continuing to develop the travel video collection. A maximum of 3 editions of popular travel titles is kept. Our adult patrons and students continue to be interested in United States history. Student assignments frequently require information about daily life in other times and places, so this is an area that will continue to be developed. The travel books should be weeded every 5 years. Any title that has not circulated in 5 years will be considered for weeding. The rest of the 900’s should be weeded every 10 years. Titles that have not circulated in 5 years will be considered for weeding.
11. Biography
12. Biographies and autobiographies of single individuals are in the biography section, with the current exception of sports celebrities. The titles are classified by the name of the subject of the book. 5% of the non-fiction circulation is biography. This is an area that has many requests for specific titles. Biographies about more than one person are classified in the most appropriate Dewey area. This area should be weeded every 5 years. Titles that have not circulated in 5 years will be considered for weeding.

I. Young Adult Paperback and Non-fiction

The young adult paperback collection was developed in 1995 and has continued to attract an increasing audience. This is a transitional collection for youth that have outgrown books in the juvenile collection but are not ready to read only adult materials. Circulation has gradually increased to 3% of the total adult collection. The YA paperback collection includes series that are popular with young adults. There is limited space so the collection is evaluated and weeded once a year. In 1997 a nonfiction collection specifically for young adults was introduced. This collection consists primarily of books on subjects of high interest among young adults: relationships, movie stars, and rock and roll. Circulation is high for this small collection.

J. Audio Books

The Books-on-Tape circulation has started to decline. Currently over 6% of the adult circulation come from Books-on-Tape. The department purchases fiction and non-fiction titles unabridged formats. Purchase of requested unabridged versions are evaluated in terms of perceived general interest and budget considerations. The library has begun purchasing audio books on CD. Books-on-CD is a developing collection. It does not need weeding. In general, multiple copies of titles are not purchased (unless there is demand) A needs analysis of classic literary titles in unabridged format will be conducted. Another area of this collection that needs analysis and development is the area of motivational tapes. The Books-On-Tape collection needs to be weeded every 5 years or when shelving space becomes tight. Replacement tapes for unabridged titles are considered on a title by title basis. Any title that has not circulated in 2 years should be considered for weeding.

K. CD-ROM’s

This is a new collection begun in 1997. This new format is for patrons with personal computers who are comfortable accessing information in this format. This collection accounts for less than 1% of the total circulation. Demand for materials in this format is limited. Weeding for the collection should be done every 5 years.

L. Audio Music

The department purchases and maintains a music collection in two formats, cassette and compact disc. Cassette circulation has declined slightly over the years to under 1% of the total adult circulation. Compact disc circulation has gradually increased to 8%. The library purchases both classical and popular music. Titles are chosen by the selector who reviews the collection for gaps in the classical music repertoire and keeps abreast of current lists of top selling popular music. The library does not remove manufacturers listening warnings but does not create additional advisory labels. The library purchases CD’s of operas performed at the Lyric Opera. The library annually purchases the cassette commentaries from the Lyric Opera. This is a developing collection. Weeding should be done every 5 years. Titles that have not circulated for 5 years will be considered for weeding. Areas that need to be evaluated and upgraded include movie sound tracks, musicals and sound effects.

M. Entertainment Videos/DVD’s

For several years the library has been developing a collection of feature films on video. These titles are available for rental for $1 for 1 week. All feature length films with a rated of PG or higher are shelved in the Adult Services. The Adult Services Department purchases current films that are well reviewed or popular, “classic” films of continuing popularity and prominence, foreign language films that have commercial releases in the Chicago area and dramatic programs broadcast on public or cable television. Videos that have circulated more than 200 x are replaced if possible. This collection should be weeded every 5 years. Titles that have not circulated in the last year will be considered for weeding.

N. Reference, Periodicals and Online Collections

The Reference and Periodicals collections are undergoing a period of change. Ongoing analysis of the best and most efficient way for patrons to access these collections is needed. As more and more information is available on the Internet and other electronic formats, attention must constantly be given to the best format available for Glen Ellyn patrons given our budget.

1. Periodicals
   The periodicals budget is spent on titles to which the library subscribes in paper format and microfilm and/or microfiche subscriptions for popular periodicals that the library wants to retain. Since moving into the new building the circulation of periodicals has gradually increased to 5% of the total circulation. 
   
   Newspapers, newsletters and weekly newsmagazines do not circulate. The most popular circulating periodical titles are home decoration and home improvement titles. Travel, personal investment, sports, and celebrity magazines are also very popular. All requests for subscriptions to a particular title are evaluated in terms of general interest to the young adult and adult populations of Glen Ellyn. Titles that are indexed in our major periodical index are given more consideration. Students and those seeking consumer information heavily use the collection. In general, periodicals are kept for 5 years plus the current year. The collection is evaluated annually in terms of new requests for titles and use of the current collection.
2. Reference Collection
   The largest budget item in Adult Services is the reference collection. Titles are included in the reference collection because of demand and utility. It is important that the titles in this collection be as up-to-date as possible. Areas of the collection that are used heavily by patrons and reference staff are business directories, investment sources, medical information, literary criticism, statistics, country and historical time period information. The reference collection serves the general patron thus we do not have an extensive legal or tax collection or medical information appropriate for practicing medical personnel. The Reference Collection is constantly updated. A general weeding and evaluation of the collection should be done every three years. Every effort is made to obtain and retain local information of historical importance. The reference staff has been indexing the local newspaper since 1995. The pamphlet file holds the current annual reports from all local governmental agencies. Older editions are given to the Glen Ellyn Historical Society Archives. In addition, the pamphlet file contains the current edition of annual reports for Fortune 500 and large local corporations and travel information from State Tourism Departments. The availability of information on the Internet has increased our library’s access to timely information. As the Internet becomes less of a freeway and more of a toll road attention to electronic access will continue to be a concern.
3. Online Collections
   The library is committed to providing information to patrons in all formats. To meet demand and to provide access to collections when the library is closed we subscribe to various online databases and to a growing collection of online books. Interest in the online databases has always been high. Patrons made a smooth transition from information available on a CD-Rom format to information available through the Internet. The library subscribes to a full-text periodicals database that covers general, business and medical topics; a general encyclopedia; a business and residential telephone resource; the Chicago Tribune; a reader’s advisory database; a world and state geography database and a full-text student resource center. Considerations for purchase of additional subscriptions should include cost, broad patron appeal and availability of remote access.
   
   The library has also purchased two collections of online monographic nonfiction titles. The use of the first collection has been disappointing but careful evaluation of continued usage will determine the purchase of additional titles in the format.

O. Weeding Schedule