GOALS

• Keep both the print and electronic collections (databases, web pages, audiobooks) up-to-date

• Enhance areas that are related to the curriculum

• Keep at least skeletal holdings for less used subjects

• Keep the collection in attractive shape

• Make sure the collection reflects diversity of experience, opinions, social and cultural perspective

• Encourage use of the New York Public Library to fulfill requests that go beyond the reasonable ability of Collegiate School's library to meet

• Be thoughtful about the changes in information delivery systems and strive to find the appropriate print or electronic media for each subject

• The librarians will have final say over which materials will be included in the collection based on usefulness and appropriateness including gifts (including money) and sensitive subjects

• Online databases are chosen with respect to appropriateness, ease of use, curriculum ties, and cost

• Each resource is judged on its merits without an automatic price ceiling

• Replace books which are still appropriate but in bad repair

• Videos are evaluated for the same criteria that books are, but since they are only available to faculty members, and on occasion students, the choice of videos will rely heavily on faculty requests and curriculum needs.

• Web pages will be evaluated for age appropriateness, authority, accuracy, relationship to the course, value added, and ease of use

• Periodicals are chosen to provide curricular needs, a wide range of opinions, news, and recreational reading for adults and children.

• Avoid duplicate copies of books except in specific situations

• Avoid purchasing used books unless the need cannot be satisfied any other way and then only buy books in very good to excellent condition

• Choose materials based on reviews from library, scientific, and literary journals plus suggestions from the faculty or students

• Suggestions made by faculty members of materials related to the curriculum or for recreational reading receive serious considerations

• Criteria for acquisition stress authority, accuracy, literary merit, and curriculum relevance of the materials as well as the intellectual, social, psychological, and emotional development of the students.

• Online databases are reviewed once a year before they are renewed; if a database is deemed no longer useful, the subscription is canceled

• Videos are periodically evaluated to make sure they satisfy the mission of the collection and are in good shape. If not they are replaced with DVD's where possible or with DVD's of similar subjects

• Books are frequently assessed for outdated information, poor physical condition, unneeded duplicates, newer editions, and subjects which are no longer needed or which are better accessed online. If a book is deemed no longer appropriate for the collection it is either donated or discarded.

• Periodicals are assessed at the time of renewal.

• Although suggestions from members of the community are welcome, as with selection, the librarians will make the final decision as to what materials will be deaccessioned.

• Web sites which are recommended for student research projects will be evaluated just before each project to make sure they remain appropriate, with some removed and others added as necessary

1. Read the entire book. Use the form below to write a summary of your concerns.

2. Meet with a librarian. She will take what you say into consideration, use her judgment as to whether the resource is suitable, and give you an explanation.

3. If you have more questions, you will then be invited to a meeting with the librarians and a faculty member from the proper department. The resource will be further discussed and your arguments will be heard.

4. After the meeting, in consultation with the faculty member, the librarians will make a decision as to whether the resource either enters or remains in the collection. The Head Librarian's decision is final.