Collection Development Guidelines

Collection Development Guidelines

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    • Check Locations & Hours to find your community library's phone number and operating hours.
    • Questions? A member of our Administrative Center staff can also help direct your call. Call us at 360-651-7000 (local) or 877-766-4753 (toll-free), Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:30 pm.

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    • Text your questions to (360) 810-5188. Text assistance is available Monday - Saturday, 9 am - 6 pm. Please include your name and telephone number in your initial message. Standard text messaging rates apply.

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  • Sno-Isle Libraries provides access to its public records under the provisions of the Washington State Public Records Act RCW 42.56, the Public Records Policy, and the Public Records Request Administrative Policy.  

    The Library makes a variety of records available online, including, but not limited to: 

    Other records maintained by the Library are available for public inspection or copy, unless specifically exempted by law.  

    Use of the Library’s Public Records Request form is the most efficient way to make a request; however, its use isn’t required for a request to be processed. Requests may be submitted in person, via mail, email, or phone. To best assist you, include the following information: 

    • Contact information of requester 
    • Identification of the public records adequate to locate the records 
    • Whether you wish to inspect the records in person and/or purchase physical or digital copies 
    • The date and time of day of the request 

    Anyone wishing to inspect or receive a copy of the Library’s public records or seeking assistance in making such a request should contact the Library’s Public Records Officer: 

    Public Records Officer
    Sno-Isle Libraries
    7312 35th Ave NE
    Marysville, WA 98271-7417
    Phone: 360-651-7026/ Fax: 360-651-7151
    publicrecordsofficer@sno-isle.org 

    The more precisely you can identify the record(s) you seek, the more responsive the Library can be. You do not need to state the purpose of your request. However, in an effort to clarify or prioritize a request and provide responsive documents, the Public Records Officer may inquire about the nature or scope of the request. 

Collection Selection

The Collection Development Guidelines provide the framework for implementing the Sno-Isle Libraries (Library District) Board Collection Development Policy. The Library District is committed to supporting intellectual freedom by providing a popular materials collection that reflects a diversity of cultures, views, and opinions.

The Library District also recognizes that physical space, availability of material, and a finite budget impose limits to the amount of material in the collection. Collection Development staff use selection criteria to evaluate materials and decide what will be included in the collection. Selection criteria applies to all materials being considered for the collection, both purchased and donated. Selected items meet at least one collection selection criteria.

Selection Criteria

  • Alignment with the Library District’s collection priorities.
  • Data or evidence of on-going likely demand by the Sno-Isle community, such as number of customer requests, circulation of similar material, vendor sales data, and/or media promotion.
  • Support of the Library District's commitment to Intellectual Freedom and equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).
  • Reviews or critical acclaim.
  • Long-term or historical significance; replaced as needed based on customer demand and use.
  • Timeliness, accuracy, or relevance of information.
  • Cost, especially in light of anticipated long-term demand.
  • Availability of similar materials, both physical and digital.
  • Availability from the Library District’s vendors.
  • Format, including durability and suitability of the physical format for library shelving.

Digital Formats

Digital materials and resources are chosen using established selection criteria, with additional considerations unique to these formats.

  • User interface experience.
  • Format compatibility with common devices and operating systems.
  • Vendor privacy practices.
  • Vendor technical support.

World Languages

World languages materials and resources are chosen using established selection criteria, with additional considerations unique to these materials.

The Library District collects materials in languages other than English, including collections dedicated to a specific language and bilingual materials. World Language collections are identified by analyzing community data, community feedback, and guidance from staff in the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion department and multilingual staff.

Collection Maintenance

The collection is reviewed and evaluated on an ongoing basis to maintain relevancy, community interest, and physical condition. The Library District does not maintain an archival collection. Reviewed items may be kept in the collection, repurchased, moved to another area of the collection, or withdrawn.

Collection Maintenance Criteria

  • Timeliness, accuracy, or relevance of information.
  • Customer demand/usage.
  • Material type.
  • Format or physical condition.
  • Completeness of sets/series.
  • Number of copies in the collection.
  • Availability of similar materials.
  • Long-term or historical significance.
  • Availability of space for physical items.

Contact Us FAQs

  • Chat with us

    By email

    • Submit your questions, comments or suggestions by email and our librarians will assist you.

    By phone

    • Check Locations & Hours to find your community library's phone number and operating hours.
    • Questions? A member of our Administrative Center staff can also help direct your call. Call us at 360-651-7000 (local) or 877-766-4753 (toll-free), Monday - Friday, 7:30 am - 4:30 pm.

    Text us

    • Text your questions to (360) 810-5188. Text assistance is available Monday - Saturday, 9 am - 6 pm. Please include your name and telephone number in your initial message. Standard text messaging rates apply.

    Book a Librarian

    • Make an appointment for a virtual or in-person Book a Librarian session. These free sessions allow you to get one-on-one assistance with your research and technology questions. 
  • Contact us for assistance.

  • Sno-Isle Libraries provides access to its public records under the provisions of the Washington State Public Records Act RCW 42.56, the Public Records Policy, and the Public Records Request Administrative Policy.  

    The Library makes a variety of records available online, including, but not limited to: 

    Other records maintained by the Library are available for public inspection or copy, unless specifically exempted by law.  

    Use of the Library’s Public Records Request form is the most efficient way to make a request; however, its use isn’t required for a request to be processed. Requests may be submitted in person, via mail, email, or phone. To best assist you, include the following information: 

    • Contact information of requester 
    • Identification of the public records adequate to locate the records 
    • Whether you wish to inspect the records in person and/or purchase physical or digital copies 
    • The date and time of day of the request 

    Anyone wishing to inspect or receive a copy of the Library’s public records or seeking assistance in making such a request should contact the Library’s Public Records Officer: 

    Public Records Officer
    Sno-Isle Libraries
    7312 35th Ave NE
    Marysville, WA 98271-7417
    Phone: 360-651-7026/ Fax: 360-651-7151
    publicrecordsofficer@sno-isle.org 

    The more precisely you can identify the record(s) you seek, the more responsive the Library can be. You do not need to state the purpose of your request. However, in an effort to clarify or prioritize a request and provide responsive documents, the Public Records Officer may inquire about the nature or scope of the request. 

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