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Specific
Selection Policy by Collection
Adult
Spanish | Audio/Visual |
Children's | Fiction
| Genealogy | Government Documents |
Graphic Novels | McNaughton |
Non-Fiction | Paperbacks
| Periodicals | Reference Materials | Vertical File Materials
| Young Adult
| Selection Tools
Genealogy / Local History
The genealogy and local history collections
are non-circulating monographic and serial
works that support genealogical and local
history research. Local history refers
to non-fiction works about Longview, Gregg
County and the surrounding counties, and Texas
in general. Genealogy materials include
basic genealogy research tools and sources in
print, electronic, and microform formats with
emphasis on the Southern Confederate States.
Genealogical materials are working copies for
the genealogy researcher. No effort is
made to collect rare, archival materials for
the purpose of preservation. Specific
selection criteria for these materials
include:
- Suitability for research in the defined areas
- Authority
- Scope
- Qualifications of the author on the subject
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Government Documents
As a Federal Depository, the Longview Public
Library collects approximately 28% of the
documents available through the Federal
Depository Library Program. Selection of
these materials is the responsibility of the
Adult Services Supervisor. Materials are
selected to extend and compliment other
Library collections and to fill public demand.
Selection criteria are the same as all other
library materials.
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Reference
The reference collection is a non-circulating collection of
materials designed to provide access to
factual information in authoritative forms.
It includes, but is not limited to, standard
reference tools such as encyclopedias,
dictionaries, almanacs, handbooks,
directories, and biographical materials. Items
are selected to satisfy the research and
reference needs of the Library’s clients.
In general, hard cover copies are preferred
for these items. Paperback is accepted when it
is the only available format and when the item
will be superseded within two years. Specific
selection criteria for these materials
include:
- Usefulness to quality reference service
- Accuracy
- Authority
- Currency
- Scope and depth of coverage
- Format (arrangement, indexing)
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Vertical File Materials
The vertical
file collection consists of non-circulating
folders of pamphlets and articles cut from
newspapers and magazines. These
items are selected for their content,
timeliness, local interest, and as a
supplement to the book and periodical
collections. The reference staff
maintains this collection. Selection
criteria is the same as for other reference
and local history items with the following
addition:
- Materials are not readily available in other sources
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Periodicals
The periodical collection is a non-circulating collection of
magazines and newspapers selected for current
local and regional news, local history
information, recreational pursuits, research
purposes, book selection, and professional
reading. Back files of these items are
maintained for research purposes.
The length of the back file is determined by
the availability of the item in electronic
format, the usefulness of the item for
research purposes, available indexing, and
public demand for the item. Specific
selection criteria for these materials
include:
- Available indexing
- Authority
- Objectivity
- Local Interest
- Available formats
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Non-fiction
The non-fiction collection is a circulating collection of
non-fiction popular and scholarly works for
the general public. Textbooks are not
selected to support local curriculums, but
when it is the only, or best, format available
for the topic. Preference is given to
hard cover copies. Exceptions are made
for titles only available in paperback format
and for works that are likely to be outdated
within a two-year period. Specific
selection criteria for these materials
include:
- Qualifications of the author on the subject
- Scope
- Accuracy
- Quality of writing
- Appeal
- Date of publication
- Organization of content (indexing,
bibliographies, illustrations)
- Relationship to the existing collection
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Adult Spanish Collection
Composed of both fiction and non-fiction titles written in
Spanish, this collection contains new and
classic works for the purposes of recreation,
education, and research. Preference is
given to hard cover copies. The Spanish
collection also includes audio-visual titles
in audiocassette and videocassette formats.
Specific selection criteria for these
materials are the same as for comparable
English language materials but also includes:
- Appeal to Spanish-speaking persons
- Quality of writing
- Date of Publication
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Fiction
The fiction collection is a circulating collection of new
and classic works of fiction for the purposes
of recreation, education, and research.
Preference is given to hard cover copies due
to the popular nature of these materials.
Exception is made for those titles only
available in paperback. The number of
copies per title is generally limited to three
with the exception of currently popular
“best sellers.” Specific selection
criteria for these materials include:
- Quality of the writing
- Style
- Appeal
- Characterization
- Date of publication
- Literary merit
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McNaughton Collection
The McNaughton Collection consists of leased books selected
to help supplement the permanent collection.
These books are kept for two years then
returned to the leasing company.
Selection is based upon the expected
popularity of the books as determined by the
authors’ previous titles or upon the
reviewer’s expectation that the book will be
very popular. Many of these titles
become bestsellers shortly after their
publication. The McNaughton copy helps
to ensure that the library will have
sufficient copies on hand to meet the
temporary demand for the title.
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Graphic Novels
The graphic novel collection is made up of recreational
reading and informational titles in book form
for adult readers. These are books that
are primarily pictorial, with text and dialog
working together to propel the narrative.
Selection is based upon reviews in literary
and trade journals. Preference is given
to graphic novels in hardback though
paperbacks will be purchased when that is the
only available format. Specific
selection criteria for these materials are the
same as for works of fiction but also include:
- Quality of graphics
- Public demand
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Paperback Collection
The paperback collection is a separate circulating
collection of trade paperbacks donated to the
Library. Though trade paperbacks are not
purchased for the library because of their
poor quality, a large number of them are given
to the library as gifts. Because of the
popular nature of the format, these books are
cataloged and housed in a separate paperback
collection. Most any gift trade paperback in
reasonably good condition that meet the same
selection criteria used for adult fiction and
non-fiction will be added to the collection.
Books that are not added to this collection
include:
- Books in poor physical condition
- Dictionaries, thesauri, grammar guides, and
books of quotations
- Travel Guides more than two years old
- Non-fiction books more than five years old
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Audio / Visual Collection
The audio / visual collection is a circulating collection
of audio “books on tape” and
videorecordings. Only spoken word
cassettes and CD-ROMs are selected for the
collection at this time. Videos are on
VHS cassettes or DVD only. Selection for
“books on tape” follows the same selection
criteria for print books with the following
added criteria:
- Quality of packaging
- Quality of recording
- Replacement policy of publisher
Videocassettes are selected for educational and recreational
purposes. Specific selection criteria for
these materials include:
- Public demand
- Quality of recording
- Educational quality
Videocassettes selected for the Juvenile Videocassette
collection must be targeted for children in
elementary school or earlier.
Videos designed to appeal to a general
audience are kept in the adult video
collection.
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Children’s Collection
Materials for the children’s collection are selected for
their value in meeting the informational,
educational, recreational, and cultural needs
of children pre-school through age eleven.
Preference is given to hard cover copies due
to the popular nature of these materials.
Exception is made for those titles only
available in paperback and quality gift
paperbacks. The number of copies per
title is generally limited to three.
Selection criteria for children’s materials
are the same as the criteria for adult
materials with the following additions:
- Quality and appropriateness of the
illustrations
- Quality of the binding
- Vocabulary appropriate for the intended
audience
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Young Adult Collection
Materials for the young adult collection are selected to
meet the unique needs of the children ages
twelve to eighteen. It includes fiction
and general non-fiction works appropriate for
the reading and educational needs of this age
group, but no separate reference collection.
Selection criteria for young adult materials
are the same as for adult materials.
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Selection Tools
Contents:
Community Analysis
| Mission Statement & Role of the Library
| General Principles and Selection Policy
| Responsibility and Authority
| Specific Selection Policy by Collection
| Selection Tools
| Gifts, Duplication & InterLibrary Loan
| Replacements & Collection Maintenance
| Requests for Reconsideration of Library Materials
| Gift Receipt
| Freedom to Read
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