- Collection Development: Resources, Weeding, Inventory
- Funding
- Grants
- Policies
Collection Development
The purpose of collection development is to identify, evaluate, select, organize and maintain high-quality information resources, in a wide variety of formats, to meet the needs of our diverse communities for life-long learning, cultural enrichment, intellectual stimulation and recreation in support of the missions of our libraries. Libraries strive to create a body of readers, where all citizens are literate, techno-literate, productive and contribute to and enjoy a high quality of life.
Resources
The following resources are available to help libraries with planning strategies for funding, selecting, evaluating, preserving and sharing an outstanding collection.
- Wisconsin Public Library Standards – see information about Collections and Resources
- Collection Development Policies
- Collaborative Collection Development – A guide to facilitating collaborative initiatives (available through American Library Association)
- Wisconsin Valley Library Service Collaborative Collection Development Plan (A sample plan)
Weeding
CREW: A Weeding Manual for Modern Libraries
Weeding Library Collections: A Selected Annotated Bibliography for Library Collection Evaluation – several sources about weeding collections, some with links, provided by the American Library Association.
Inventory
- Inventory Procedures
Funding
Wisconsin Library Legislation and Funding, Law, Standards, Policies and Planning are resources and links to information on library legislation and funding issues, including the state budget. This page also includes library law, standards, polices and planning.
Grants
Grants help libraries provide valuable resources to support the changing needs in their communities. The library grants blog lists many wonderful grant opportunities for libraries. Some of the more common grant providers include:
Better World Books – Better World Books is providing grant opportunities to libraries to significantly impact literacy locally.
IMLS – The Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) works at the national level and in coordination with state and local organizations to sustain heritage, culture, and knowledge; enhance learning and innovation; and support professional development for libraries and museums across the country.
Kresge Foundation – Grant programs are designed to support an organization’s immediate capital needs and to build its capacity to raise private support for the future.
The Pilcrow Foundation – The Pilcrow Foundation is a nationwide non-profit organization which donates new, quality, hardcover children’s books to small, rural public libraries in the United States. They provide a 2-for-1 match of funds; for example, the foundation will match $400 in local money with $800 of foundation money, for a $1,200 combined total.
LSTA – The Library Services Technology Act (LSTA) consists of a state grants program with funds distributed to states on a formula basis, and programs administered directly from the federal level by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS).
NEH – The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) offers several grants, some of which can help with historical item preservation, traveling exhibits and humanities programming.
USDA Rural Development – Financial programs supporting library development fees (land, plans, construction, remodeling, legal, etc.) equipment, and furniture. Program assistance is provided in many ways, including direct or guaranteed loans, grants, technical assistance, research and educational materials.
Policies
Wisconsin Public Library Policy Resources links to a sample policy manual for small libraries and the policies of more than 20 public libraries across Wisconsin as well as other useful information.
The Wisconsin Public Library Standards are a helpful tool provided by the Department of Public Instruction for planning and evaluating library services. In addition, a related checklist can help libraries and trustees evaluate their services and set goals for improvement – click here for the checklist.
Library Policy Resources – WebJunction – Examples of a variety of policies successfully implemented at libraries across the nation.
Tools and Resources for Public Library Directors and Board Members – further links and resources to help libraries and trustees.