Montana State Library

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Collection Evaluation

Introduction

This standard covers evaluating the library's collection.

Standards

I. Standard A
"The library's collection is continually evaluated based on the library's collection management policy. The entire collection is evaluated within each three year period."

If you analyze your collection, review what areas may need more materials, or assess the use of your collection you will meet this standard. Regular selection and weeding can also help you meet the standard. The Montana State Library's Collection Development Class can be a helpful resource.

The Montana State Library recognizes that some of the new standards require public libraries to have in place practices which formerly were not required and may take significant time and effort on the part of the library to put in place. Thus, it would unfair to expect your library to complete everything that is required by the end of June 2007. In light of that, we are interpreting this standard's three year cycle to begin July 1, 2007. You may check that your library is in compliance if you plan on meeting the standard and recognize that you must begin the process of meeting it in July 2007.