Collection Development Policy

Related Links

Introduction

State Library of Western Australia (State Library) has responsibility for managing the selection, acquisition, processing and distribution of library resources in a range of categories and formats, including digital, which are made available through:

• the State Library in Perth; and
• all public libraries in Western Australia.

Purpose

This policy gives focus and guides selecting and collecting practices and ensures that collections are developed in line with the State Library’s key purpose and directions.

Rationale

The basis for State Library collecting is:

• To preserve documentary resources associated with Western Australia to provide Western Australians with perpetual access to their documentary heritage
• To enable access to Western Australia’s documentary heritage to tell Western Australians’ stories to all
• To provide Western Australians with free and equitable access to documentary resources in response to their immediate needs for learning, growth and enjoyment

Documentation outlining the development of State Library collections is vital to:

• support collection decisions;
• focus collection decisions and resources;
• ensure that collecting is aligned to the State Library’s Strategic Directions;
• provide a foundation for funding submissions and allocations; and
• communicate the focus of State Library collecting.

Relevant Legislation/Regulation

The State Library of Western Australia is the organisation established under the Library Board of Western Australia Act to manage the collection activities and the provision of library materials for the free public library system across the State. Collections under this governance arrangement are owned by the Library Board of Western Australia.

Policy Application

A policy framework - Developing Our Collections – forms the basis of this policy.

Review

This policy and the framework that guides it will be formally reviewed every 2 years at the initiation of the Manager Collection Development however, may be updated at any time to reflect changes in strategic direction or agreed policy changes.

References

• Developing Our Collections – a Collection Development Policy framework
• State Library of Western Australia - Strategic Directions 2009-2011
• Creating and Keeping Your Digital Treasures: a guide

Related Policies

• Deselection Policy
• Reformatting Policy
• Access Policy (TBD)
• Collection Management Policy (TBD)

Forms

• Nil

Issued: April 2009
Revised:
Responsibility: Manager: Collection Development
Reference #:08/08