Collection Development & Management Policy
Collection Development & Management Policy
Approved by Whitefish Bay Public Library Board of Trustees August 13, 2025
Supersedes Collection Management Policy (2014), Collection Strategy Policy (2015), and Collection Operational Procedures (2015)
Purpose of the Policy
This policy provides guidance for the selection, management, and evaluation of library materials. It supports the Library’s mission and guiding principles, ensures that the collection remains relevant, and helps the public understand how materials are selected, maintained, and evaluated.
Mission
As a cornerstone of the community, the Whitefish Bay Public Library connects all people, inspires a love of learning, and provides access to ideas, information, and resources.
Guiding Principles
The Library is committed to providing high-quality services and resources that reflect the diverse needs of the community. We strive to:
- Provide a welcoming place for all who enter
- Interconnect and engage our community
- Be flexible, creative, and forward-looking
- Support an informed public
- Offer an exceptional workplace
- Follow a thoughtful and measurable approach
Collection Goals
The Whitefish Bay Public Library builds and maintains a collection to meet the educational, recreational, and informational needs of the community. The collection reflects a wide range of ages, backgrounds, interests, and reading abilities, and includes materials in various formats and levels of complexity.
Responsibility for the Collection
Ultimate responsibility for the collection rests with the Library Director, who delegates authority to librarians with a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science. These staff members apply professional knowledge, community awareness, and selection guidelines to build and maintain the collection.
Digital materials such as ebooks, audiobooks, and streaming media are often obtained through statewide consortia or vendor-curated platforms. These include services like Hoopla, Kanopy, and the Wisconsin Public Library Consortium’s OverDrive collection. In these cases, the Library provides access to a vendor-managed collection and does not select individual titles, similar to subscribing to a digital newspaper.
Selection Guidelines
Materials are chosen to serve the broad interests of the community and to support information access, creative exploration, and lifelong learning. The selection of a title does not imply endorsement of its content.
Staff consider a variety of factors when evaluating materials:
- Community needs and interests
- Relevance and significance of content
- Variety of viewpoints and experiences
- Educational and recreational value
- Artistic or literary merit
Other key points:
- The Library endorses the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights.
- Materials may be controversial and include content that challenges users; inclusion is based on overall merit.
- Items are not labeled or restricted based on content.
- Parents or guardians are responsible for children’s use of materials; the Library does not restrict access by age.
- Certain items, including local history materials, may be available for in-library use only. Access to these items may require a request to ensure their preservation and security.
Selection Criteria
Selectors use professional judgment and may consult published reviews, user requests, and community trends. Selected items do not need to meet every criterion. Considerations include:
- Accuracy and clarity of information
- Anticipated demand
- Attention of critics, reviewers, or the public
- Authority and credibility of the creator or publisher
- Connection to Whitefish Bay, Milwaukee County, or Wisconsin
- Cost and long-term value
- Depth and breadth of subject coverage
- Historical, cultural, or social importance
- Overall quality and integrity of the work
- Relevance to existing collection
- Suitability of format and intended audience
- Variety of perspectives
Collection Maintenance
To ensure the collection remains accurate, appealing, and useful, staff regularly review materials. Items may be repaired, replaced, or withdrawn based on condition and continued relevance.
Withdrawal of Materials
Materials are removed when they are outdated, no longer used, or in poor condition. Withdrawal decisions may be based on:
- Inaccuracy of content
- Lack of circulation or demand
- Physical wear and tear
- Replacement by a newer or better edition
- Space limitations
Removed materials may:
- Be donated to the Friends of the WFBPL
- Be recycled or discarded
- Not be held for individual requests
Items are replaced based on current need, demand, and availability through other libraries in the Milwaukee County Federated Library System.
Donations of Materials
Donated items are reviewed using the same selection criteria as materials purchased by the Library. Inclusion in the collection is rare and not guaranteed. Items not added are given to Friends of the Whitefish Bay Public Library to support Library services through resale. While donor preferences may be taken into account, the Library does not accept donations with conditions or restrictions.
System Participation
The Whitefish Bay Public Library is a member of the Milwaukee County Federated Library System (MCFLS). This partnership provides community members with access to a shared collection across the region. Availability of items at other libraries may influence the Library’s local purchasing decisions.
