Answers to Go

SAN MARCOS PUBLIC LIBRARY

625 E. HOPKINS ST.

512-393-8200

Q. How does the library decide what to buy?

A. The library has various ways of determining what books, DVDs and recorded books to buy. Because the library cannot purchase everything published, there is a defined collection policy which can be found at http://www.sanmarcostx.gov/598/Library-Policies

The library has must have a solid foundation for considering everything purchased. The collection policy outlines the collection priorities as the following:

1) to develop a wellrounded collection of current, high-demand, high-interest materials in a variety of formats for persons of all ages;

2) to make available timely, accurate, and useful information through our reference services department;

3) to encourage children to develop an interest in reading and learning by providing them with an outstanding collection of library materials and by promoting use of the collection through programs and services aimed at children, parents, and teachers;

4) to encourage lifelong learning by providing independent adult learners with resources to assist them in achieving their educational goals;

5) to take a leadership role in collecting, preserving, and disseminating information of both current and historical interest on the San Marcos/Hays County area.

One way the library chooses books is by reviews. A review source is a professional journal or a website where people who have read books submit their reviews of the books. Often the reviewers are librarians or other information professionals. For example, Booklist is a publication from the American Library Association and a well-respected review source. It certainly is one of the more popular sources for reviews. One of the ways it is useful is in how it divides up the types of reviews. There are reviews of non-fiction adult (and for children’s books) and the various genres in fiction, such as mystery, science-fiction/ fantasy/horror, romance and historical fiction. This allows the library to assign librarians to specific areas of collection. Children’s books are also reviewed and selected by librarians trained in collection development. As outlined in the library’s collection policy, “When selecting individual items for inclusion in the library collection, the staff will consider such factors as: Popular demand; Contemporary significance; Local significance; Literary quality; Authority and reputation of author, publisher or producer; Evaluation in reputable review sources; Accuracy and currency of information; Lack of other available material on the subject; Price, format, ease of use.”

The San Marcos Public Library does not just use book reviews to select materials for our patrons. We have a simple yet effective way of gathering information about what our patrons want — we ask them! We have a purchase suggestion card that any library card holder can fill out and request that we purchase something. If we believe it will be of use to multiple patrons, is affordable, is in print and is in a format that is sturdy enough for public use, we are likely to purchase the item. This process is very successful with books and especially with movies, documentaries, TV series and recorded books. It generally takes up to three weeks for the library to get something someone has requested, but once it is received, it is “fast-tracked” in order to get it processed and into the hands of the person who suggested its purchase.

There are other means by which the library collects materials. One of the most obvious is by donation. Donations are important, especially for the San Marcos and Hays County Local History Collection. Because the library is not able to support the curriculum needs of some members of our community, like Texas State University students (this is left to the University library) we offer Interlibrary loan services to patrons who need more specialized materials than are available through our collection.

Suzanne Sanders is the new columnist for the library. She is the Community Services Manager for the San Marcos Public Library and came from the Austin Public Library in 2015 after having served there as a librarian for over 20 years. She gratefully accepts your questions for this column.