In order to achieve an informed citizenry, the Estes Valley Public Library District (Library) has a responsibility to include materials on all subjects of interest to its readers, and on multiple sides of an issue. Inclusion does not constitute endorsement of any particular viewpoint. Further, a work will not be excluded from the Library’s collection solely because it represents a particular aspect of life, because of frankness of expression, or because it is controversial. Selection of materials is to be flexible and responsive to the changing needs and interests of the Estes Valley community. We will use data, community feedback, and our expertise in order to create the best collection of materials possible for the residents of the Estes Valley.

Materials Selection
Authority for selection of materials is delegated by the Board of Trustees to the Library Director.

Patron use and circulation data are the most powerful influence on what we select and retain in our collection.  This data, combined with general collection criteria outlined below, guide our selection and de-selection decisions. The Library will make every effort in selection of materials to provide a balanced collection representing diverse viewpoints and interests.

Following are general criteria for evaluating prospective acquisitions. An item need not meet all of the criteria to be acceptable, nor will any single criterion be decisive:

• Contemporary significance, i.e. positive review by critics, staff members, patrons or in one or more appropriate professional journals;
• Popularity with patrons represented by requests, circulation statistics and/or observed use even if not enduring in value, interest, or accuracy;
• Publication Date; Currency;
• Appropriateness and effectiveness of the format (book, CD, downloadable) for Library circulation;
• Within limits of the budget for materials;
• Insufficient materials available on the same subject;
• Enhances a specific collection within the Library;
• Literary and artistic merit;
• Local author, producer, illustrator or subject;
• Accuracy of content.

New formats will be considered for the collection when by national and community trends and by evidence from local requests, a significant portion of the community population has the necessary technology to make use of the format (e.g. eBooks and downloadable materials, DVDs, MP3 players, mobile devices, etc.).

Purchase Suggestions
We encourage Estes Valley residents to participate in the collection development process so we can build a collection that accurately reflects the needs and interests of the community.  The library provides a venue for residents to suggest titles for purchase.  All suggestions will be reviewed using the criteria outlined above.

For items not purchased, residents will have the option to request them through the Library’s Interlibrary Loan service.

Excluded from the collection:

• Textbooks.
• Scholarly and/or technical materials suitable for academic and/or special libraries.
• Puzzle, pop-up, workbooks, items with dangling pieces, etc.
• Materials publicized exclusively through infomercials and personal websites.
• Self-published materials that do not fit the library’s collection or selection criteria.

Collection Maintenance / Materials De-Selection
Systematic weeding of materials is required to keep the collection responsive to patrons’ needs, to insure its vitality and usefulness to the community and to make room for newer material. Weeding identifies damaged items, out of date material and duplicate copies that are in excess of current needs. To determine retention or withdrawal, staff uses the following criteria based on standard library weeding philosophy:

• Circulation Statistics
• Current demand and frequency of use
• Condition: worn, water damaged, ripped, mildewed, defaced, etc.
• Information: up-to-date, timely, accurate
• Number of copies in the collection
• Availability of item and/or information in other libraries or online

Withdrawn material in good condition may be put in the Library Friends & Foundation book sale, or offered to other libraries or non-profit agencies. Withdrawn material in poor condition and back issues of periodicals will be removed from the collection according to an established retention schedule and recycled.

Material Donations and Memorials
Donations shall be added to the collection under the same selection criteria as purchased materials. Donations are accepted subject to: (1) the Library retains unconditional ownership; and (2) the Library makes the final decision on acceptance, use, or disposition.

Any author or publisher that contacts the Library directly to promote their material for inclusion in our collection will be directed to the Purchasing Guidelines for Authors

When the Library receives a cash gift for the purchase of materials, whether as a Memorial or for any other purpose, the general nature of subject area of the materials to be purchased will be based upon the wishes of the donor. Selection of specific titles will be made by the staff in accordance with the needs and selection policy of the Library.

Groups or individuals may work with the Library Development Director to set up Memorial Funds for larger or long-term purchases of materials or to set up standing arrangements for purchases of Memorials. The Library reserves the right to accept or reject any such proposed fund, standing arrangement or donation of funds. Proceeds from investments for these funds and additional contributions to them will be used to purchase materials for memorials.

Local History and Rare Book Collection
As part of its mission, the Library will preserve the institutional memory of the Library. The Library’s local history focus is on digital access, rather than preservation.

On those occasions when materials are donated to and accepted by the Library, these must be formally deeded through the Library Deed of Donation form, which will serve as their receipt.  Archival materials, special collections, village collections and materials that require special handling will not be purchased to be part of the collection. Any individual or group that would like to donate special, archival or historical material to the Library will be referred to the Estes Park Museum.

The Library will provide government documents for our residents that contain information concerning upcoming projects such as highway construction, environmental impact studies, special community meetings, and those required by statute. These types of materials will be held locally for the specified duration of the project and/or evaluation period.  Government documents of lasting value, such as flood plain information, will be cataloged.

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Please refer to the Collection Policy set for more information.

The Estes Valley Library Collection Development Policy was adopted and approved by the Estes Valley Public Library District Board of Trustees on December 10, 2007 and revised on June 18, 2012, October 19, 2015, August 20, 2018 and April 19, 2021.

 John Krueger, President                                 Peter Johnson, Secretary