9.1 Content - access to information and intellectual freedom
9.1.1 LIANZA Statement on Access to Information
9.1.2 LIANZA Statement on Intellectual Freedom
9.1.3 Prohibited, restricted or classified material
9.1.4 Youth access
9.2 Content - reflecting the community
9.2.1 Language of collections
9.2.2 Life-long learning/study support
9.2.3 Children and young people
9.3 Content - breadth and depth
9.3.1 Core and niche current use collections
9.3.2 Heritage resources
9.3.3 New Zealand resources
9.3.4 Auckland focus
9.3.5 Maori resources
9.3.6 Collection level
9.4 Community demand
9.4.1 Duplication
9.4.2 Waiting lists
9.4.3 Customer suggestions for purchase
9.4.4 Customer inter-library loan requests
9.5 Strengths/Gaps in collection
9.6 Quality of content
9.7 Quality of physical item/format
9.7.1 Quality of books
9.7.2 Formats
9.8 Document supply
9.9 Price
ACL/TPK bases its selection criteria for current use collections on the
LIANZA Standards for Public Libraries xviii
- Resources should be provided to cover the widest possible range of subjects to meet the community's information, educational, recreational and cultural needs.
- Resources may be provided in any medium appropriate to the community being served. Print, audiovisual, and electronic formats should be represented. The focus should be on providing the best possible information in the most appropriate format.
- Resources should provide appropriate breadth and depth of coverage, include standard works and recent publications, and represent divergent viewpoints on all issues.
In addition to this, ACL/TPK has internationally recognized and significant heritage collections, and acknowledged centres of excellence in family history, international documents and current business information. These collections have their own selection criteria, based on the expert knowledge of staff of current and future customer needs, and building on existing collection strengths.
Selection refers to any decision to retain material, as well as to add new material to the collection. It is based upon awareness of the diverse needs and interests of the individuals who use ACL/TPK, balanced with evaluation of the material and knowledge of the collections' strengths and weaknesses. Selection decisions are also influenced by budget and space considerations and by the availability and accessibility of alternative information resources.
Criteria for selection fall into these areas, which are described further below:
- Content – access to information and intellectual freedom.
- Content – reflecting the community.
- Content – breadth and depth.
- Community demand – expressed or anticipated interest, need, or demand by library users or potential users.
- Enhancing strengths/addressing gaps in collection.
- Quality of content – subject/ author/reviews/currency.
- Quality of physical item/format.
- Availability through document supply.
- Price.
These policies on selection are high level principles. Each collection will also have an individual collection management policy, using the template in appendix one.
9.1 Content - access to information and intellectual freedom
The library will endeavor to make available to its users a balanced presentation of all sides of any controversial issues. Materials are acquired that represent varying points of view so that members of the community may be informed and make individual judgements. In upholding these principles it is accepted that while people have the right to reject for themselves material of which they do not approve, they do not have the right to restrict the freedom of others.
The presence of an item in the collection does not indicate an endorsement of its contents by Auckland City Libraries, but rather is an affirmation of the principle of intellectual freedom as embodied in the statements reproduced below.
The UNESCO Public Library Manifesto states that:
Collections and services should not be subject to any form of ideological, political or religious censorship, nor commercial pressures. xix
In implementing this principle, ACL/TPK endorses and applies the LIANZA statements on Access to Information, Intellectual Freedom, and Displays in Public Libraries as reproduced below. In particular, ACL/TPK believes that:
- All citizens of Auckland city have the right to seek, access, and receive information.
- ACL/TPK will provide equitable access to lifelong learning, discovery and recreation.
- The right to access to certain materials and information may be governed by Article Two of the Treaty of Waitangi.
- Materials will not be marked or identified by ACL/TPK to show approval or disapproval of contents.
The customer Have Your Say form provides an avenue for customers to express their views on the content of resources or materials. ACL/TPK responds to all forms received.
ACL/TPK also works within national legislation relating to the restriction of publications.
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9.1.1 LIANZA statement on access to information
ACL/TPK endorses and applies the LIANZA Statement on Access to Information adopted by the Council of the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa November 17, 2002.
Statement adopted by the Council of the New Zealand Library Association, May 11, 1978. Revised statement adopted by the Council of the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa November 17, 2002.
The Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa asserts that:
Free circulation of information safeguards our democratic society.
The members of our society have a fundamental right of access to information.
A basic right of citizens in a democratic society is access to information on matters which affect their lives. At times the interests of the individual have to be subordinated to the interests of the community in such matters as development of energy and mineral resources, industry, town planning, transportation etc. Citizens have a right to be informed of the facts involved and to participate in the decision-making process, e.g. when activities such as massive alterations to the landscape and its use are proposed. The right to be informed, to be consulted, and to intervene is essential and fundamental to the democratic process.
The Association recommends that web based information should comply with W3C guidelines (1). http://www.w3.org/TR/WAI-WEBCONTENT
Equally, members of our society have a right to privacy and to protection from misuse and exploitation of information.
A balancing right to that of access to information is that of the community as a whole, and of its members, not to suffer from the misuse and exploitation of the freedom of access to information. There is a growing trend to store information relating to individuals in centralised computer databases. This undoubtedly facilitates the activities of administration, law enforcement, commerce, and industry, but citizens must be assured that information relating to them is not detrimental to their interests through inaccuracy or through exposure to the scrutiny of those who have no proper interest in it.
It is a basic function of democratic government to ensure and balance these at times contradictory rights: that citizens are not denied access to information and that their privacy is protected.
Those who govern must ensure that citizens are not impeded in access to information touching themselves as individuals or as members of the community, and that they are protected from inaccuracy and improper exploitation of information.
Information providers should demonstrate a commitment to responsibilities under the Treaty of Waitangi. Staff providing information should be familiar with basic protocol and tikanga and have some understanding of te reo Maori.
Libraries, and particularly public libraries, are prime agencies for the dissemination of information. Librarians have a duty to acquire, organise, and provide access to information freely to the communities they serve.
The basic aim of library services is the acquisition, organisation, and circulation of information. Librarians have a duty to fulfil this aim, particularly as it relates to the collection, organisation, and circulation of information on matters which affect individual members of the community or the community as a whole. The Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa supports all measures which will improve the ability of libraries to serve as public access points for information.
Funders of information providers should provide adequate financial support to ensure that the special needs of disabled people, when accessing information, are met.
Government agencies - national and local, Parliament, State Departments, public corporations, and other authorities - have a duty to make reports and other documents widely available for consideration by all citizens free of charge. The key way of doing this is to use the existing nation wide network of public libraries, which are open for all to use.
It is not enough to send a selection of government publications to some libraries weeks after they have been released. If the public is to participate meaningfully and effectively, there must be quick and complete supply of new laws, reports and documents to public libraries as soon as they become available. Citizens requiring this type of information should not have to rely solely on news media reports, especially if they live outside Wellington.
The Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa recognizes that it may be difficult at times to reconcile these principles of access to information and protection against the misuse of that access, but it insists that the right to be informed should be the chief consideration.
This statement should be read in combination with other Statements of the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa on Intellectual Freedom, Confidentiality of Library Records, and Displays in Public Libraries.
Footnote 1. The guidelines discuss accessibility issues and provide accessible design solutions. They address typical scenarios that may pose problems for users with disabilities such as vision, hearing, physical disability, etc.
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9.1.2 LIANZA Statement on Intellectual Freedom
ACL/TPK endorses the LIANZA
Statement on Intellectual Freedom as reproduced below.
Statement adopted by the Council of the Library and Information Association New Zealand, March 21, 2002 (replaces the LIANZA Statement on Censorship)
- Society creates libraries as institutions to store and make available knowledge, information, and opinions and to facilitate the enjoyment of learning and creativity in every field. Every library has a responsibility to provide its users with the widest range of information materials possible, which are within the constraints of its budget, relevant to its users' requirements, and which represent the spectrum of points of view on the topic held in the community.
- Librarians have a responsibility to ensure that the selection and availability of information materials is governed solely by professional considerations. In so doing, they should neither promote nor suppress opinions and beliefs expressed in the materials with which they deal. These professional considerations include the use of knowledge, skills, collection management experience, and collection development policies to make decisions on what is selected for the library collection.
- No information resources should be excluded from libraries because of the opinions they express; nor because of who the author is; nor on the grounds of the political, social, moral or other views of their author.
- No library materials should be censored, restricted, removed from libraries, or have access denied to them because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval or pressure. This includes access to web-based information resources.
- Librarians should resist all attempts at censorship, except where that censorship is required by law. Librarians are free to request, and to lobby for, the repeal of laws, which compromise the principles set out in this statement.
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9.1.3 Prohibited, Restricted or Classified Material
Works prohibited by law under the Films, Videos and Publications Classification Act 1993 will not be purchased by ACL/TPK. This Act invests in the Office of Film and Literature Classification the authority to restrict or ban publications that:
describe, depict, express or otherwise deal with matters such as sex, horror, crime, cruelty or violence in such a manner that availability of the publication is likely to be injurious to the public good.
ACL/TPK is required to adhere to the decisions of the classification office, that is, to remove banned material, or to ensure restricted material is not issued to those under the specified age.
Some publications acquired by ACL/TPK will have age restrictions imposed by the Department of Internal Affairs Office of Film and Literature Classification.
Where books are classified and restricted to certain age groups the items will be stored away from public access, and age identification may be asked for before customers are handed the item. The items will be labeled clearly with the restriction, and the catalogue entry will also note the restriction.
Where audiovisual materials e.g. videos, DVDs, CDs and CDROMS are classified and restricted to certain age groups age identification may be asked for before customers can listen to or view in the library or borrow the item. The items will be labeled clearly with the restriction, and the catalogue entry will also note the restriction.
Any films, videos or DVDs with a rating must have a rating label attached to it. ACL/TPK will not purchase items without these labels.
ACL/TPK does not purchase works with loan restrictions in their licensing agreements e.g. videos and CD-ROMs, which can not be lent out, or not lent out for a fee.
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9.1.4 Youth Access
ACL/TPK respects the rights of children and teenagers to select their own materials. It is the responsibility of parents to monitor the materials their children borrow. If a parent/guardian requires a restriction then a ‘No Self Check Out’ block is added with a message to the child’s membership record. This ensures the child has items issued by staff who can then follow the parent’s imposed restrictions set out in the message.
Selection of resources will not be inhibited by the possibility that they may inadvertently come into the possession or view of children.
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9.2 Content - reflecting the community
Selection must ensure that the collections have relevance to the experiences and contributions of the diverse populations of Auckland City, and offer present and potential relevance to the community.
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9.2.1 Language of collections
ACL/TPK seeks to serve and reflect a culturally diverse community in the development of its collections. While most materials acquired therefore are in English, ACL/TPK also actively acquires significant and diverse collections of materials in many other languages.
In acknowledgement of Maori being an official language of New Zealand ACL/TPK comprehensively collects material in Te Reo.
ACL/TPK actively seeks and purchases Pacific language material, although it is difficult to source. ACL/TPK endorses the LIANZA Statement on Library and Information Services to Pacific peoples. (See appendix two)
ACL/TPK aims to provide for the needs of English as a second language (ESOL) speakers in the community according to the size of that group, the demand for material and the availability of such material.
The World Languages collections offer materials published in other languages, with the Chinese language materials collection being the largest in order to meet the needs of the approximately 30,000 Chinese speakers in Auckland city. ACL/TPK also has large collections in Japanese and Korean, and collections in German, Russian, Vietnamese, Spanish, French, Italian, Croatian, Bengali, Hindi, Serbian, Tamil, Arabic, Thai and Bulgarian. Other languages are also represented.
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9.2.2 Life-long learning/study support
ACL/TPK provides collections to support the independent study and life-long learning needs of the community. The depth and uniqueness of elements of the collections supports both general and specialist research.
ACL/TPK recognizes its role as a supplementary resource for students, but does not routinely duplicate specialist educational resources provided by educational institutions, unless these are of general interest or strengthen existing heritage or research level collections.
ACL/TPK does not specifically purchase course materials or multiple copies of resources to meet course requirements. The Digital Library aims to meet some of these needs, for example study guides in e-book or database format, and electronic copies of primary source resources. Textbooks are sometimes purchased when their addition to the collection is deemed to be useful, such as when a textbook is the best source for an overview of a subject, or when the text has become a classic.
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9.2.3 Children and young people
ACL/TPK endorses the LIANZA Policy on Library Services to Children and Young People which refers to collections provided for these groups. (See appendix three)
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9.3 Content - breadth and depth
9.3.1 Core and niche current use collections
ACL/TPK aims to provide a broad range of material, giving customers access to a variety of viewpoints and formats.
ACL/TPK provides core collections of popular contemporary novels and non-fiction of a readable and accessible nature though the community library network and the Central City Library.
In addition, niche collections of works of more specialist interest are provided, primarily at the Central City Library, but also at community libraries where the community demand justifies it.
The Central City Library also stores back catalogue collections of works no longer at their peak of popularity but of enduring interest which are requested by customers.
The Digital Library also provides for current reference information, journals, study guides etc at a greater depth, and is accessible through all physical sites as well as remotely to our customers.
Each collection has collection level(s) associated with it, from the table below. Heritage, New Zealand, Auckland and Maori collections are collected to a greater breadth and depth, as outlined below.
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9.3.2 Heritage resources
The collections of ACL/TPK build on its origins in the library founded in 1880, and that library’s enrichment by the invaluable donation of Governor George Grey’s library, as well as additional bequests and gifts and continued professional collection development by library staff. The collections reflect ACL/TPK’s status as the largest public library collection in New Zealand and include a range of specialist collections of national and international value and repute. Special Collections and the Auckland Research Centre provide a significant focus for the heritage resources held by ACL/TPK.
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9.3.3 New Zealand resources
ACL/TPK’s collection gives prominence to New Zealand culture and heritage. This is reflected in lending collections that include and identify New Zealand material of interest to the general public, and the collections of Special Collections and the Auckland Research Centre that provide a research level focus for New Zealand resources. New Zealand newspapers, magazines and audio-visual materials are also collected.
In order to meet current and future customer needs for New Zealand resources:
- New Zealand material is often duplicated.
- New Zealand material is often replaced when it is worn out.
- New Zealand material is often maintained beyond normal weeding criteria if it cannot be easily replaced.
- ACL/TPK will establish standing orders for key New Zealand publications and authors.
- Material from smaller local publishers is actively sought.
- New Zealand books in general collections are identified by a New Zealand label.
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9.3.4 Auckland focus
The ACL/TPK collection is as comprehensive as possible in resources relating to Auckland city and the Auckland region, with the collections of the Auckland Research Centre providing a key focus. Local history and genealogical materials relating to Auckland are particularly sought for the collection. Histories, local newspapers, newsletters and publications of local clubs and societies, vital records, town reports, pamphlets about Auckland, books by local authors, and books about the Auckland area are collected. Local newspapers are bound or microfilmed for permanent preservation. Every attempt is made to acquire titles by local authors (Auckland region and the north of Auckland) that are published by mainstream publishers. Titles that are self-published are not added to the collection unless there is a compelling reason to do so (valuable local content, high local interest). Specialist local government information and Auckland City publications are sometimes held only in the Local Government Information Service collection.
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9.3.5 Maori resources
Maori resources may be purchased for any collection, but particular focus is given to titles published in both Te Reo and English by providing separate collections. The reference non-fiction collection on the Heritage floor of the Central City Library called Te Kohinga Matua, and the lending collections in Central and at community libraries called Nga Matauranga Maori are the most accessible collections.
These collections include both historic and contemporary items. Items for the collection are selected on the basis of their content and subject matter, and whether the item adds to the existing pool of knowledge relevant to current issues facing Maori.
Material on general subjects is limited to those featuring a predominately Maori (50% or more) content and/or approach. Te Kohinga Matua collection includes reference and non-fiction books, videos, CDs, CD-ROMs, DVDs and cassettes. Te Kohinga Matua collection provides a research level focus for, and acts as a link into, the Grey Maori Manuscripts Collection.
Special collections of historical published resources, manuscripts, letters and newspapers also support research into Maori history and issues.
ACL/TPK aims to purchase all books published in the Maori language to support the Printed Maori Collection in Special Collections.
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9.3.6 Collection level
Individual collection management policies refer to a level of collecting that applies to that collection.
The levels are taken from the internationally recognized collection assessment tool Conspectus, and in particular from the Pacific Northwest collection assessment manual, 3rd ed., compiled and edited by Nancy Powell, Western Library Network, Washington, U.S.A.
| Level # |
Level |
Description |
| Level 0 |
Out of scope |
The Library does not actively collect in this area |
| Level 1 |
Minimal level |
Few selections are made - limited to basic authors, core works and some representation of differing viewpoints. Serves to introduce and define a subject and indicate the varieties of information available elsewhere. Little material is retained. The collection supports only basic or fundamental enquiries. |
| Level 2 |
Basic information level |
The collection includes up-to-date general materials serving to introduce and define the subject and indicate the range of information available. The collection may include some dictionaries, encyclopaedias, historical surveys and representative periodicals. The collection supports routine enquiries, but is not strong enough to fully support independent study or the full demands of an educated public |
| Level 3 |
Study level |
The collection includes important primary and secondary literature, together with reference tools and a range of periodical literature. The collection represents a range of reading levels. Classic works and authors are retained. The collection is adequate to support sustained independent study and the life-long learning needs of the public. |
| Level 4 |
Research level |
The collection includes primary and secondary literature, including the results of research and new developments. The collection includes most major reference works, significant periodical literature, indexing tools and bibliographies. All significant older material is consistently retained for future research purposes. |
| Level 5 |
Comprehensive level |
The collection is aimed at including all significant works of recorded knowledge, regardless of format or language. Usually the subject area collected is very strictly defined. The aim is to build a “special collection”. Copies of all older material are consistently retained. The collection supports original research, including post-graduate tertiary study. |
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9.4 Community demand
Items are selected to meet expressed or anticipated interest, need, or demand by current and potential users and future generations.
Titles in considerable demand because of extensive publicity, local interest, author popularity, or other factors are usually purchased, even if the title did not receive good reviews.
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9.4.1 Duplication
ACL/TPK aims to purchase sufficient duplicate copies to meet known demand.
The collections seek to provide a range of titles on a topic rather than over-emphasizing duplication of a limited number of titles. Single copies are purchased to maintain variety, except for standard works on particular subjects that may warrant additional holdings and subjects where demand is known to be heavy.
For works of fiction the aim is that there is at least one copy of currently requested fiction in each Community Library.
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9.4.2 Waiting lists
The number of reserves will be a trigger for considering the purchase of extra copies of a title. Where there are more than a specified number of reserves for each lending copy of a title, extra copies of that title are strongly considered for purchase.
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9.4.3 Customer Suggestions for Purchase
Items suggested for purchase by customers are given serious consideration, and purchased if they fall within the selection guidelines.
Items will not be purchased if they are out of print, very specialized or of interest to only a small number of people, unable to be supplied by standard library suppliers, or if there are sufficient copies of the titles or similar titles. Preference is given to suggestions for titles published in the last 12 months, and that are already published (i.e. not pre-publication).
Suggestions can be made via the website or in print on a Suggestion for Purchase form available from library staff. As part of the Digital Library customers can search Global Books in Print to check the details of their request, and get an indication if the item is still in print and available to purchase.
ACL/TPK informs customers when the decision made is not to purchase the suggestion.
In order that ACL/TPK can meet these requests in a timely manner, customers may be asked to limit the number of suggestions.
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9.4.4 Customer Inter-library loan requests
Records are kept of interloan (Inter-Library Loan) requests. Where ACL/TPK receives duplicate requests to interloan an item, or if an item is requested which meets a gap in the ACL/TPK collection, the Interloans Librarian will make recommendations for purchase.
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9.5 Strengths/Gaps in collection
Each title considered for purchase is evaluated in terms of ACL/TPK’s present holdings. For example, if ACL/TPK has sufficient titles in a certain subject area, the selector may choose not to add a new title, even though it has received good reviews. Also, the selector may choose to add additional titles of a better work, rather than buy another title in a certain subject.
Selection should focus on the enhancement of existing collections to reflect:
- importance of the title when compared with other works on the subject
- importance of the subject matter or point of view to the collection
- adequate retrospective and current subject coverage as stated in the appropriate collection development policy
- adequate coverage when little material is published on the subject
- membership in a series already held
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9.6 Quality of content
In assessing individual titles selectors will take into account:
- Clarity, usability, readability.
- Timeliness and currency – (less so for recreational reading and titles of literary merit and wide audience appeal, but informational publications must be timely)
- Effectiveness and suitability of the format in communicating content.
- Author – significance, authority, previous publications and reputation or qualifications of author, artist, publisher or producer (all formats, including websites).
- Critics' reviews.
- Appeal of a book for a specific audience.
- Originality in content or approach.
- Accuracy.
- Material not defamatory or illegal by New Zealand laws
- Publishers’ expertise in certain fields, especially where reviews are not available.
ACL/TPK generally avoids vanity presses, where the authors pay publication costs and do their own distribution as works can be of varying quality and are seldom reviewed. These items are generally not purchased, unless the subject is in high demand, and the book is examined or found to be of merit for specialist collections, e.g., local history.
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9.7 Quality of physical item/format
Items selected must be in an appropriate format, durable and easy to use.
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9.7.1 Quality of books
Books should have durable bindings, clear print and good paper, and be attractively presented. Where several imprints are available, selectors may choose the one with the most attractive and appropriate for New Zealand dust jacket or cover.
The library will not purchase publications in a format not suitable for library use or lending, such as those with accompanying game pieces and card sets, or workbooks intended to be written in by users, or with perforated pages. Spiral bindings are avoided, except where the content can not be covered by other sources.
Purchase decisions are based on the type and quality of the edition. Where possible, the library will choose a trade edition, which is an edition printed for and supplied to the book trade, as these have better quality paper and binding than mass market editions. Abridged works, where some part of the book has been deleted to lower costs, censor material, or simplify the text for a different audience, are generally avoided. An exception to this "rule" is audio books and adult literacy readers.
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9.7.2 Formats
ACL/TPK continuously reviews and revises the mix of formats it acquires in response to the development of new media and to the demonstrated and perceived needs of its users.
ACL/TPK selects materials in the media most appropriate to their efficient use. For example, indices and bibliographies in electronic format are often preferred to those in print, while treatises and novels in print format are in most cases preferred to those on microfilm or CD-ROM.
In certain circumstances the same work may be acquired in more than one format, e.g. a popular novel may be acquired in print, large print and sound recording, or a non-fiction work in print form and also in digital form for ease of searching and access. Some works are used in such a way that on-line access to them via a computer network may be preferable to ownership of them.
Microform or digital issues of serials may be held instead of, or as well as, paper issues.
VHS (videocassette) and DVD formats are both collected, but the VHS format will be phased out as items become scarce and DVD becomes customers’ first choice. VHS resources will be purchased if only available in this format.
Music sound recordings are acquired primarily in compact disc format. ACL/TPK no longer buys long-playing records, but retains a back catalogue collection in the Central City Library. Cassette tapes are purchased if they are the only format available for New Zealand or children’s music.
Spoken sound recordings are acquired in compact disc and cassette tape format.
Audiovisual items should be tough enough to stand up to the heavy demands of library circulation.
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9.8 Document supply
In instances where the text and electronic collections of ACL/TPK do not meet specific needs, document supply services (including Inter-library Loan and referral services) provide customers with options for accessing information not included in the collections.
The ability to receive copies of documents through document delivery services may influence decisions about which items will be purchased and which will be easily acquired or accessed as needed from electronic sources or other organisations' collections. In this way ACL/TPK can balance a just-in-case collection with just-in-time access.
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9.9 Price
ACL/TPK may choose not to purchase publications for lending if they are very expensive. Selectors must judge the value of a resource in relation to its cost.
To protect the customer, who is required to pay the cost of lost items, items for loan that cost over $150 are generally avoided.
Selection of items with a purchase price greater than a specified amount for that collection are approved by the Collection Development Team Leader before purchase.
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