Collection Development
1. Purpose of the Policy
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:01am.
Purpose of Collection Development Policy: The collection development policy aids library staff in selecting and acquiring a useful, well-rounded collection of books and other materials to meet the needs of the community.

A policy statement helps answer questions by the public regarding the presence or absence of certain materials in the collection and helps explain the basis on which materials have been selected.

The Library Board, recognizing the pluralistic nature of the community and the varied backgrounds and needs of all citizens, declare that:

1. Selection of books and other library materials is delegated to the director and to those members of the staff who are qualified by reason of education and experience;

2. Selection and retention of books and other library materials shall be made on the basis of value of interest, information and enlightenment for all people of the community. No book or other library material shall be excluded or removed because of the race, nationality, sex or political, social or religious views of the author; neither can the collection reflect inordinate responsiveness to any single individual.

3. Choice or library materials for personal use is purely an individual matter and although anyone is free to reject for themselves materials of which they do not approve, they may not restrict the freedom of use and access for others. Freedom of access for a minor is the responsibility of parents or legal guardians; it is not the responsibility of the library.

4. Authorized employees, according to the policies in this manual, review suggestions from the public regarding selection or retention of books and other library materials.

5. The principles of the freedom to read are reaffirmed.

The Board of Trustees further declare that it adopts the Library Bill of Rights and supports the Freedom to Read Statement. Both are included as Appendices to this Manual, and interpreted to include all library materials regardless of format.

2. Purpose of the Library
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:03am.
Purpose Of Library: The Robert J. Kleberg Public Library has served the recreational, educational, and informational needs of the Kleberg County residence since 1917. During its history the library has grown with its community, adding services and materials in response to user needs. The primary purpose of the library is to serve as a communication center to satisfy the diverse reading needs and interest of the residents of the community by providing free and open access to the ideas and information available on all subjects and media formats through the selection, acquisition, organization and preservation of library’s collection and to provide skilled guidance in their use.

3. Library Mission Statement
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:04am.
Statement: The mission of the Robert J. Kleberg Public Library is to serve as a center of reliable information and materials to enhance the knowledge of its residents. Funded equally by City of Kingsville and the Kleberg County, the library selects, acquires, organizes, and preserves books and other materials of contemporary interest for the education, intellectual stimulation and pleasure of the entire community. In a democratic society the public library constitutes a resource where the individuals are free to learn about controversial issues, to consider them from all sides, and to arrive at their own decisions. Therefore facts and opinions on important, complex, and controversial subjects about which there is general concern must be freely available. The library designs and provides its services and facilities to satisfy the varied informational needs of the community. It upholds the principles of intellectual freedom and the public's right to know by providing people of all ages with access and guidance to information, which reflect all points of view. (See appendices 1, 2, 3 & 4). More specifically, it is the purpose of this library to:

1. To build the best possible collection of materials and to organize it for ease of access.

2. To encourage the public to use the library and to recognize its importance in their lives.

3. To provide the community with individualized planned learning experience.

4. To support the educational, civic and cultural activities of groups and organizations.

5. To provide local government officials with information and perform research as needed.

6. To provide materials beyond the library's collection through interlibrary loan.

7. To provide access to information via electronic databases, programs, and the Internet.

8. To play an initiatory role, with other agencies and institutions, in identifying community needs and provide programs and services as needed.

4. Library Goals
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:06am.
The goals of this library are:

1. To meet the intellectual, cultural, business, leisure, educational, professional and everyday informational needs of all residents by providing access to information in a variety of forms and through links with the other library resources of the region, state, nation, and world.

2. To maintain a well-balanced and broad collection of materials for information, reference and research and to make the community aware of available resources.

3. To organize and house library materials for easy use and to offer guidance and encouragement in their use.

4. To select materials and plan services that will satisfy residents both as individuals and as members of groups.

5. To offer materials and services in sufficient supply to make the library a dependable resource for most of the residents of Kleberg County most of the time.

6. To provide physical facilities with adequate space and appropriate atmosphere to support individual and group study, interaction and meeting.

5. Clientele to be Served
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:07am.
Clientele: The library serves residents of Kleberg County. They include casual readers, K-12 and college students, military residents, retirees, Spanish speaking patrons, and a significant number of non-resident patrons. Particular attention is given to the unique history, characteristics, activities, and needs of the community.

6. Intellectual Freedom Statements
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:08am.
The library adheres to the democratic principle of free access to library materials for all people in the community – regardless of race, age, sexual orientation or social-economic status – outlined in the documents developed and approved by the American Library Association. The following American Library Association documents are included as appendices at the end of this manual:

Appendix 1 – The Library Bill of Rights
Appendix 2 – Freedom to Read Statement
Appendix 3 – Freedom to View Statement
Appendix 4 – Free Access to Materials for Minors

7. The Selection Process
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:09am.
The purpose of the selection process is to obtain materials, which will assist patrons to:

1. Educate themselves to contribute to the growth of knowledge.

2. Keep pace with the progress in all fields of knowledge.

3. Become better members of home and community.

4. Be more capable in their daily occupations.

8. Selection Guides
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:11am.
Since it is impossible for the library staff to read and review personally the large number of print and non-print materials, reviews found in professional, literary, and general periodicals are used to facilitate the selection process. The following are some guides used in the selection of materials:

1. Basic Reference Sources

2. Children's Catalog

3. EBSCO Librarians' Handbook

4. Fiction Catalog

5. Junior High School Catalog

6. Library Journal

7. Public Library Catalog

8. Publishers Weekly

9. Format of Materials
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:18am.
The library collection includes informational, educational and leisure materials for adults and juveniles. The library will collect and maintain materials dependent on user demand, budget constraints, space considerations and suitability. Older formats (e.g., phonograph records, and filmstrips) will be phased out as user demand lessens. Formats for library materials include:

1. Hardback and Paperback Books

2. Periodicals and Newspapers

3. Microforms

4. Audiocassettes and Videocassettes

5. Electronic Resources

6. DVDs, CDs and CD-ROMs

10. Criteria for Selection
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:19am.
Criteria: General selection criteria for print and non-print materials include:

1. Appropriateness of the subject matter

2. Purpose of the resource

3. Scope of the resource

4. Intended audience

5. Accuracy

6. Impartiality

7. Depth and breadth of coverage

8. Authority/credibility of the author

9. Authority/credibility of the publisher

10. Currency and timeliness of the material, if applicable

11. Format, including style, aesthetic qualities, technical aspects, physical characteristics and special features

12. Comparison to other resource(s) available for purchase or already in the collection

13. Price

14. User demand

Web sites and other Internet resources that are bookmarked on library computers will be selected based on the following criteria:

1. Accuracy of the content

2. Authority of the author

3. Objectivity

4. Currency of the material, if applicable

5. Depth and breadth of coverage

6. Software or plug-ins needed to view the Web site

11. Special Collections
1. Adult Collection
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:21am.
Adult Collection

The purpose of the library is to provide the mature adult public with the materials needed for general reading, reference and recreation. All backgrounds, abilities and levels of education identifiable in the adult community served by the library will be taken into consideration as materials are selected.

Using book reviews, patron requests, and the judgement of the librarians, titles are recommended for inclusion on the basis of content, style, and intended audience. An attempt is made to satisfy a public varying greatly in education, interest, taste and reading skills.

2. Young Adult Collection
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:23am.
Young Adult Collection

The library recognizes that the needs of Young Adults are different in kind and intensity from those of other library users. YA collections function as a transition between the Juvenile and the Adult collections, and must provide materials which particularly relate to the current information needs, interests and personal growth of adolescents: Educational, recreational reading, social and career aspirations.

The Young Adult collection will be fluid, flexible, current and attractive, containing materials which are: A) in demand, B) of special quality which will help young adults understand themselves and others, broaden their curiosity and expand both their reading ability and reading enjoyment. Emphasis will be on popular browsing materials and periodicals.

3. Juvenile Collection
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:24am.
Juvenile Collection

In selecting books for Juveniles, the library's objective is to make available a collection which satisfies the informational, recreational and cultural reading needs and potentials of children with diversified taste, backgrounds, hobbies, and interests, and to suit their mental capacities at various age levels from preschool age through middle school. Physically, collections are to be fresh, lively and attractive. Maintenance of the collection is a continuous process, with worn and obsolete materials being discarded. Materials may be replaced due to loss, or poor condition. Multiple copies of high demand titles will be purchased. Juvenile books are collected in the following categories:

A. Newberry, Caldecott and Texas Bluebonnet award winners. Generally two copies will be ordered of these titles. Runner-up titles for these awards may be selected if sufficient funds are available.

B. ALA (American Library Association) Notable books.

C. Seasonal subjects (e.g., Christmas, Easter, and Washington’s Birthday) may be selected.

D. Non-fiction (animals, poetry, biography, science, etc.)

E. Books which reflect trends (death, divorce, adoption, etc.)

F. Titles that a staff member has determined will support the children’s collection.

4. Best Sellers
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:26am.
Best Sellers

The Acquisitions’ Department through a major on-line jobber orders best selling books. Titles are selected each month from a list of bestsellers. Selections are carefully made based on their potential appeal and demand. Suggestions are welcome but are subject to the library's selection criteria and the limitations of the budget.
5. Large Print Collection
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:27am.
Large Print Collection

Large print materials are purchased primarily to meet the needs of the visually impaired community. Large print titles are selected according to the library's selection criteria and the limitation of the budget.

6. Paperback Collection
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:29am.
Paperback Collection

The paperback collection is small and books are selected at the discretion of the professional librarians and library director. The selection covers a variety of subjects and include mysteries, westerns, gothic tales, love stories, biographies, historical novels, animal tales, travel, history, and sports. Books available only in paper and meeting the general selection criteria will be purchased and sent to the bindery to be bound in hardback format and added to the collection.

7. Periodical and Newspaper Collection
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:30am.
Periodical and Newspaper Collection

The library currently uses a subscription agency, which specializes in magazine and newspaper distribution. By using a subscription agency, the library is able to centralize orders and invoices for serial subscriptions. This service has proven to be a cost-effective and time saving method.

A well-balanced subject collection of periodicals is maintained as a current and in-depth supplement to the book collection. Selection is based on appeal and demand, the accessibility of a title's content through indices, the accuracy and objectivity of the editor and authors, its contributions to trends in the field covered, and the preservation of a balanced viewpoint within the collection. Various newspapers, journals, and periodicals that are not part of the library’s collection can be accessed over the Internet for the most current information available.

Requests for periodical articles, which fall outside the scope of the collection, may be filled through the STLS Interlibrary Loan Network.

Newspapers are selected to meet the reference and research needs of patrons, and to provide current and local information not available in books. The library's aim is inclusiveness in the case of local papers. State and national newspapers are purchased upon sufficient demand and within budget and space limitations.

8. Audio-Visual Collection
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:31am.
Audio-Visual Collection

Due to budget and space limitations, filmstrips, 16mm & 8mm films, records, and reel-to-reel tapes will not be purchased. Audiocassettes and videocassettes of intrinsic value and interest will be purchased, but infrequently. The library's Audio System for in-house use will be provided to library users upon request, but will require the assistance of Reference Librarian or designee. The library will evaluate new developments in the field of audio-visual formats if needed. Audio-visual materials are selected and withdrawn from the collection following the same principles that apply to print and non-print materials.

9. Texas Collection
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:32am.
Texas Collection

A circulating collection of books, maps, periodicals, videocassettes and audiocassettes on the topic of Texas. Materials are added to this collection selectively, based on availability and relevance to the community.

10. Local History/Genealogy Collection
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:33am.
Local History/Genealogy Collection

A non-circulating collection of books, newspapers, microforms, maps, cemetery records, periodicals and reference materials relating to local history and genealogy. This collection is used primarily by local and out-of-state lay researchers, as well as by library staff. Many of the materials in this collection are “one-of-a-kind” and cannot be replaced; therefore, they are available for use in the library only. Books and other materials are added to this collection as they become available for purchase, and through donations of materials in good physical condition that meet the library’s criteria for relevance.

12. Limits of the Collection
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:38am.
In consideration of user demand, appropriateness for the collection, budget and space constraints, and other information sources available in the community (e.g., school and college libraries, and the Internet), the following types of materials will not be collected or maintained by the library. The library will operate within the framework of the selection policies with the ultimate goal of providing quality services to the total community.

1. Textbooks

2. Government publications

3. Technical manuals

4. Scholarly or professional journals

5. Subjects for which there is limited demand

13. Inter-Library Loan (I.L.L.) Policies and Procedures
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:39am.
Inter-library Loan: The Robert J. Kleberg Public Library is a member of the South Texas Library System Inter-library Loan Program. The I.L.L. program administered through the Reference Department provides access to materials not available in the library's collection. Interlibrary loan requests are limited to three in-process for an individual at a time. A valid borrower's card from the R. J. Kleberg Public Library is needed to borrower materials through Interlibrary Loan. The length of the loan period for an I.L.L. item depends upon the policies of the library lending the material. The user will be informed on the length of the loan, when the material is checked out. All I.L.L. items received and processed are assessed a nominal return postage fee. Postal insurance is also assessed if lending library requires it. Some individual libraries may also charge for photocopying of I.L.L. materials. The user will be responsible for such charges upon receipt of the material. The user will be advised of this fact prior to the use of the material. BORROWER MUST COMPLY WITH ANY STLS POLICIES REGARDING STLS INTERLIBRARY LOAN. (See appendix 19)

14. Gifts, Donations, and Memorials
1. Gifts and Donations
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 10:58am.
Gifts and Donations: The Robert J. Kleberg Public Library accepts gifts and donations with an understanding that everything donated to the library becomes library property, to be used as the library deems appropriate. Gifts of money for the purchase of books are always welcomed. Such books will have a "presented to" bookplate acknowledging the donor. The Library appreciates the gifts of donors and attempts to recognize donors appropriately in order to both demonstrate appreciation and to encourage donations of other potential donors. Such gifts will be kept on record alphabetically by donor's name. Those gifts and donations which will not be retained by the library will be disposed of in an appropriate manner - by giving them to other institutions or by selling them at the Friends of the Library book sales. The right of the final disposition of such gifts and donations is reserved for the library. The same selection criteria for inclusion in the collection that are used for purchase decisions shall be applied to gifts and donations. Out-of-date material, duplicate items for which additional copies are not needed, and material in poor physical condition will not be added to the collection. The Library does not appraise gifts or donations or provide evaluations for tax deductions or other purposes but will acknowledge receipt of gifts and donations or other materials in writing if requested by the donor (See appendix 21). The following enumerated statements will be adhered by the library when accepting gifts and donations:

A. The Robert J. Kleberg Public Library accepts gifts of money, books, films, pamphlets, periodicals, phonographic records and the like with the understanding that the library may do with them as it sees fit.

B. Gifts of materials may be added to the library collection subject to the same principles and standards of selection as are applied to all materials added to the library's collection.

C. All materials in the library's collection will be displayed, circulated, or made available for use in a manner consistent with its facilities, good library practice, and the needs of the public.

D. It is to be understood that the Robert J. Kleberg Public Library is to have full authority as to when, where, and how any gifts of materials are displayed or used.

E. The library will, of course, try to comply with the wishes of the donor of a gift, but it reserves the rights as conditions change to assign any of its materials wherever the need is greatest.

F. A library that is used extensively by its public sustains losses through theft, mutilation, and ordinary wear. The library cannot guarantee that any gift or donation will be part of the collection permanently.

G. All gifts of materials must be in a usable physical condition. The library will not accept materials, which are not outright gifts.

H. Because of limitations of space, budget, and staff, the library reserves the right to accept or discard, at its discretion, any unsolicited material sent to the library.

I. The library encourages and welcomes cash gifts, endowment funds and donations for purchasing books (in general or specified areas), other library materials and equipment, for improving the library facilities, or for the benefit of the library staff. This money may be used for Memorial purpose.

2. Memorials
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 11:00am.
Memorials: Gifts and donations of books or other library materials, or donations of money for the purchase of Memorial materials are welcomed. Books purchased in memory of a deceased individual are called Memorial Books. When a person donates a book or monies for a book in memory of a friend or loved one, an acknowledgement is sent to the family of the deceased informing them of the Memorial, and another card is sent to the donor thanking and acknowledging the donation. Memorial book(s) are identified by placing a bookplate in the front of the book noting the name of the deceased along with the name of the donor. Both families will be notified of the availability of the book. If they wish to examine it, it will be set aside.

A complete record will be kept in alphabetical order by the name of the deceased (last name first). All entries will include the donor's name, and the title and author of the designated book.

In choosing books for such Memorials, the librarian should consider the interests of the deceased, or inquire if the donor would prefer to have a particular subject matter chosen, but the final decision, based on the library's selection criteria, rests with the Library Director or designated librarian(s).

The library will display new acquisitions of Memorial Books for one year on a special shelve located at "Best Sellers" area. After the one-year period, memorial books will be moved and shelved in the library's Genealogy Room. All Memorial Books will have "MEM" as part of their call number.

The de-selection of Memorial Books or materials from the collection will be made in each case by the librarian(s) in consultation with the Library Director. The library shall take every reasonable measure to notify the family of the deceased or organization so designated on the bookplate when a Memorial Book or material is removed from the library's collection. However, if the library is unable to locate such family or organization within sixty days from the first attempted notification, or such family or organization does not respond to notification within sixty days after receipt of such, the library may dispose of the Memorial Book or material in the same manner it would dispose of materials removed from any other part of the permanent collection.

The library does not appraise Memorial gifts or donations or provide evaluations for tax deductions or other purposes but will acknowledge receipt of Memorial gifts and donations or other materials in writing if requested by donor. (See appendix 21)

3. Appraisal of Gifts and Donations or Other Items of Value
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 11:01am.
Appraisal of Gifts and Donations or Other Items of Value:
The Library cannot evaluate books, periodicals, or other items of value for estates, private individuals or businesses. A professional appraiser should be hired to make such an appraisal. Furthermore, the Library cannot evaluate materials for tax deductions or other purposes. IRS regulations do not permit this. If a donor requires an official tax statement, the donor must make arrangements with a professional appraiser to evaluate the gift or donation. (See appendix 21) The Library however, will give the donor a receipt stating the description of the material or the number of items donated including the value the donor has placed on the donated material(s).

A. The appraising of a gift to the Library for income tax purposes is the responsibility of the donor since it is the donor who requires an appraisal, not the Library.

B. The Library should at all times protect the interests of its donors as best it can and should suggest the desirability of appraisals whenever such a suggestion would be in order.

C. The Library as an interested party, to protect both its donors and itself, should not appraise gifts made to it.

D. The donor is at liberty to make his own arrangements for an appraisal.

E. The acceptance of a gift, which has been appraised by a third and presumably disinterested party, does not in any way imply an endorsement of the appraisal by the Library.

F. The cost of the appraisal should ordinarily be borne by the donor, and is in itself a tax- deductible item.

G. The Library should not appraise items for a private owner. It should limit its assistance to referring the individual to such sources as auction records and dealer's catalogues and to suggesting the names of appropriate experts who might be consulted.

H. If requested, the Library will provide the donor with a receipt for the monetary value of any gift/donation on which the donor has placed a specific value on the donated material(s).

15. Maintenance and Evaluation
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 11:03am.
Maintenance and Evaluation: Maintenance of materials will also consist of shelving, reading shelves, straightening shelves, and dusting. The Robert J. Kleberg Public Library recognizes the need to continuously evaluate its collections in response to the changing nature and needs of its community through the weeding, replacement, and duplication of its titles. Decisions must be made continuously on how to handle worn books -- whether to mend, bind, replace or discard them. Collection maintenance will encompass all of the following process. (See appendix 9)


1. Shelving: With most material, care should be taken to put each item where it can be readily located according to the call numbers and/or letters.

2. Reading Shelves: Periodically, the books on the shelves are to be checked to ensure that they are in the proper section and in the proper sequence, and make necessary corrections.

3. Straightening Shelves: This should be done daily. Books should be shelved neatly, flush with the front of the shelf for ease of reading the spines for librarians and patrons.

4. Dusting: The entire book collection should be dusted as needed. The librarian will determine when this is to be done.

5. Evaluation: The entire book collection will be periodically evaluated for weeding, replacement or updating.

16. Weeding
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 11:21am.
1. General Collection: Weeding is the withdrawing of damaged or obsolete materials from the library's collection, a process that is an integral part of collection development and maintenance. Weeding is a necessary adjunct of selection since it systematically eliminates unnecessary items, outdated or superseded materials, titles no longer of interest or in demand, unnecessary duplicates, and worn or mutilated copies.

The librarians are responsible for weeding the entire collection at least every two years. It takes skill, care, time, and knowledge of the collection to do a competent job of weeding. In general, the same criteria apply to weeding as apply to the selection of new materials.

The library's selection of circulating materials for discarding is determined by the method called CREW (Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding). The de-selection guidelines set forth by the CREW manual should be followed by the librarians during the weeding process.

2. Reference Collection: There will be periodic review every two-year of the Reference Collection to insure the quality and relevance of the materials. The library's selection of reference materials for weeding is determined by the method called CREW (Continuous, Review, Education, and Weeding). The de-selection guidelines set forth by the CREW manual should be followed by the Reference Librarian and assisting staff during the weeding process. (See: Crew Manual at the end of this manual)

A. Periodic evaluation of the works already in the reference collection is as important as acquisition of new materials, since the reference collection is a working collection of important, frequently consulted publications. Careful, regular, and systematic weeding removes older, less desirable works from the reference collection. Weeding consists of discarding materials from the collection or transferring materials to the circulating collection.

B. The Reference Librarian follows the same principles and guidelines in weeding as in acquisition of new materials. Since each discipline covered by the reference collection requires different types of materials, it is impossible to establish absolute standards to be followed in weeding. For some disciplines, the reference collection should provide current material only, for others it must also provide retrospective and historical works.

17. Replacement and Duplication
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 11:25am.
The library WILL NOT automatically replace all materials withdrawn from the collections because of loss, damage, or wear. Decisions to replace an item will be based on the following considerations:

1. Demand for the specific titles

2. Number of copies held

3. Existing coverage of the subject within the collection

4. Availability of newer and better materials on the subject

5. Price of the replacement copy

Inherent in the selection process is the problem of evaluating the demand and need for duplication of materials. A book in heavy demand should be duplicated if long use is anticipated, however, the Robert J. Kleberg Public Library will not duplicate heavily at the expense of a first copy of important but lesser demand materials needed for the permanent collection. A separate collection is maintained exclusively for bookmobile use.

18. Mending, Binding, and Discarding
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 11:26am.
Mending, Binding, and Discarding: Decisions will be made continuously on how to handle worn books – whether to mend, bind or discard them. Each decision is based on the actual condition of the book, the number of duplicate copies in the collection, the current validity of its contents, availability of the title for reorder, and the cost of binding or mending versus the cost of replacement. In making such decisions, these guidelines should be followed by the librarians.

1. Mending:

A. Mending will be done only when the need is detected early.

B. Damaged non-print materials, such as microforms, videocassettes, etc., should be mended on the premises if at all possible.

C. Materials, which are beyond repair, will be discarded.

2. Binding:

A. Assuming the title is still Available, replacement with a new copy is preferable to rebinding if cost is comparable.

B. In cases where rebinding will not restore the book to a condition suitable for normal library use, the book should be replaced.

C. Books with very narrow inside margins should NOT be sent to the Bindery.

D. Binding is preferable to mending if existing copy is expected to have long-term usefulness.

E. New paperback titles expected to have extensive use should be bound to withstand long term circulation.

Steps for Processing Books for Bindery:

A. Pull the original "Shelf List" and "Master" card from their Card Catalog File for damaged or worn out books needing to be rebound and delete its MARC record from the Circulation system.

B. Attach the original "Shelf List" to Temporary Card for re-cataloging purposes. Note: The "Master" card does not need to be retained, it can be discarded. Place appropriate Plastic Sleeve on Temporary Card. (Yellow Edged Sleeve = Pending Bindery, Orange Edged Sleeve = At Bindery)

C. Books pending Bindery shipment will have a Temporary Card in a plastic YELLOW EDGED SLEEVE filed in Master Card Catalog file. These Pending Bindery books will be kept in Acquisitions Department until pick-up date. Books at the Bindery will have a Temporary Card in a plastic ORANGE EDGED SLEEVE filed in Master Card Catalog file.

D. Prepare "Master Title List" of all books that are being sent to the Bindery. Note any special rebinding request or instructions on "Master Title List."

E. When rebound books are received from the Bindery, match book title with the library's "Master Title List" Double check that the total number of rebound books received agree with the grand total listed on the library's "Master Title List".

F. Inspect rebound books for any mistakes such as: incorrect spelling, upside down pages, wording of title, etc. Any rebound books found to have mistakes must be returned to the Bindery for corrections.

G. Once the rebound books have been checked, place inside each book its "old" original "Shelflist" card and give books to the Cataloging Department. The information from the old original "Shelflist" card will be used for re-cataloging rebound book and creating a new "Shelf List" and "Master" card.

3. Discarding:

A. Discard only those books that cannot be rebound. Follow the guidelines outlined in the CREW manual when discarding any library books or materials.

B. In some instances, an irreplaceable title of importance that cannot be rebound must be retained regardless of condition. Special handling or housing will be given to such a title

C. The final decision to discard books and other library materials from the collection will be made in each case by the librarians in consultation with the Library Director.

19. Public Requests
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 11:31am.
REQUESTS: The library welcomes public interest in the collection and will seriously consider all requests to acquire specific titles or subjects. The library is under no obligation to fill any particular request if the item is deemed unsuitable for the collection. All items are evaluated using guidelines outlined in the library’s Collection Development policies, which is available to the public upon request.


PATRON'S SUGGESTION BOX: Any patron who would like the request a specific item for purchase should fill out a Suggested for Purchase form. A Suggestion Box will be prominently displayed at the Circulation Department for the use of patrons who wish to write complaints, identify problems, leave suggestions, and make recommendations or requests. The Library Director will sort and distribute deposited suggestions to appropriated departments for action and response. Recurring suggestions, recommendations or complaints will be brought to the attention of the Department Head(s) or discussed at staff meetings for plausible response or action. The Library Director, during regular scheduled Board meetings will make recommendations to the Library Board of Trustees regarding valid complaints or any situation needing Board response or action.

20. Reconsideration of Library Material(s)
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 11:33am.
Policy: The Robert J. Kleberg Public Library recognizes that many books, magazines and newspapers are controversial and that any given item may offend someone. In no case should any material be excluded because of race, nationality, and political or religious views of the writer. Selection of materials is not made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the basis of the principles stated in the library's selection policy. (See appendices 11, 12 & 13) Books and other materials will not be removed from the library’s collection simply at the request of a library user, individual or group. If a patron objects to any library material, listen calmly and courteously to the complaint, advise the patron of the library's "Reconsideration of Library Material(s) Form." Library users and community members requesting that library materials be removed or reclassified must completely fill out the “Reconsideration of Library Material(s) Form” and submit it to the library director. Handle the complaint according to established rules and treat the patron with courtesy.

Request for Reconsideration of Library Material(s) Form: The "Request for Reconsideration of Library Material(s) Form" will be reviewed by the Library Director first and then referred to the Adult Services Librarian for adult materials or the Children's Services Librarian for juvenile materials for appropriate action within 30 days after receiving the request. Patrons submitting "Request for Reconsideration of Library Material(s) Form" for Library Director action will receive an oral or written response. If patron is not satisfied with the Director's decision, patron may appeal to the Library's Board of Trustees for further recourse.

21. Reevaluation of Collection Policy
Submitted by KPL on Wed, 12/21/2005 - 11:35am.
Reevaluation: The library’s collection development policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure that the library’s goals and mission are being met. Part or all of the policy may be amended during these reviews. The policy will be reviewed by the Library Director, in cooperation with the Library Board. Any modifications to the collection development policy will be approved by designated agents of the library’s governing entity.