Subject: Controversial Collections, Theft and Replacement: REPONSES
From: Lora-Lynn Stevens <lstevens_at_yorklibraries.org>
Hello:
Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to my query on
controversial materials, theft and replacement. Libraries of all
sizes representing the full gamut of potential responses are represented.
Below are the collected responses to my query from both this list and
my state's public library list. No individual libraries are
mentioned. I will be discussing this issue with our Operations Team
next week.
When we work out what we will be doing and how, I'll share the details
with you all.
Emailed Library Responses on Controversial Topics and Theft Replacement
LL specifically explored the following subject matter: Wicca, sex
“how tos”, sexual dysfunction, homosexual/bisexual “how tos”
I asked these questions:
- What does your library do about frequently stolen items?
- Do you continually replace them?
- If not what limits do you put on replacements?
- What constitutes a great review vs.. a good review in the
above subject areas?
- Are the selection criteria for these subjects different
from other areas?
Library Responses to Controversial Materials
- Do not buy sex guides or materials on alternate lifestyles
(claim of no demand)
- Do not purchase or accept donations of books on mentioned
subjects (claim community indicated they do not wish these items in
their library)
- Do not make an effort to keep these subjects up to date
- Do not buy in (Library 1: Wicca) (Library 2: Wicca and New
Age) as they “never come back” (2 libraries)
- Glue a copy of a strong review from a respected source onto
the fly leaf and cover it with laminate. That way there’s always
handy at least one documented reason for spending library resources
- Reserve/Reference Use Only (3 libraries)
- Reduce loan periods and increase fines for these items
- Consider electronic books in these areas (3 libraries)
[netlibrary has books that walk collections]
- Reluctance to place in more secure locations as customers may
be reluctant to ask
Library Responses to Theft
- Become aware of theft-prone titles
- Check the stock physically—do not depend on sales/ILS data to
gauge popularity
- Double securing books
- For long overdue items, make use of severe collection
practices (3 libraries)
- Placing dummy books on the shelves of frequently stolen
titles, [Title] isn’t here because it gets stolen more often
than we can afford, but we are committed to keeping it in stock.
Bring this block to the counter and we’ll give you a copy to browse.”
- Communicate your losses to the public
- We have little theft
- Frequently stolen materials are replaced it titles are
donated (2 libraries)
- Stolen materials are replaced only if a customer pays for the
full replacement costs
- Committed to replacing titles, set up a collection
discretionary fund and a replacement fund to do so
- Order a couple of books on a topic each year
- No hard and fast rule on the number times an item will be replaced
- Will replace at a customer’s request (proves a demand of the item)
- Rule of thumb, reorder a title two times
- Replace titles as long as they continue to be a “best source”
- Update with more current or popular titles
- Put all items into reference section (2 libraries)
- Purchase 2 copies and place one in deposit collection
- Shelf them at the check out desk (Ask At Desk Collection)
- Deposit Collection for study guides
- Once a title is repeatedly stolen (no absolute threshold
established) it goes on reserve 2 hour in-library use only
- Placed into deposit collections based on other libraries
theft experiences
Library Responses to Selection
- Many good bibliographic guides exist on the Internet ex: for
Wicca: Witchvox
- Recommendations from gay friends.
- Folks who have a vested interest usually make the best
selectors
- Seek several positive reviews from quality sources before ordering
~LL
Lora-Lynn Stevens
Director Of Information Services & Collections
Martin Library 159 E. Market St., York PA 17401
lstevens_at_yorklibraries.org www.yorklibraries.org
717.846.5300x258 F: 717.848.2330
York County Libraries. Answers for Living. Knowledge for Life.
Received on Fri Jul 09 2004 - 15:56:33 EDT