Purpose
The goal of the Indiana Digital Library’s (IDL) consortial collection is to address patron demand, especially demand that is technically complex (e.g. discovery, analysis, or ticketing), insufficiently met, or unmet, across all member libraries as expressed by available metrics. This policy applies only to the consortial collection; members’ Advantage Plus collections are governed by local policies.
Selection
Popular demand takes precedence before overall collection composition. Member libraries are responsible for curating local collections that will serve their specific goals and community needs.
The following criteria will be used for selection within the consortial collection:
- Patron interest
- Availability
- Suitability and effectiveness of available lending models
- Pricing and budget constraints
- Publishing and licensing conditions
- Date of publication
Material selection does not indicate endorsement of the contents or views expressed in those materials. Expired metered access titles will be removed from circulation.
Intellectual Freedom
IDL affirms the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and acknowledges it as a foundation for library collections. The choice of library materials belongs to individuals, who may reject certain items for themselves but may not restrict access for others. Parents and guardians alone are responsible for the oversight of their child’s use of the collection.
Materials Reconsideration
Inquiries regarding member libraries’ materials, including shared materials, may be directed to the library owning the material. Member libraries control the availability of only their own titles, and not the titles of other member libraries. Individual shared titles, including both consortial titles or Advantage Plus titles, will not be suppressed for select participants. Accessing the consortium consequently entails access to all of its content.
Requests for reconsideration of consortial items shall be directed to the IDL advisory committee, which will ask 3-5 directors of member libraries to serve on an ad hoc committee to review the reconsideration request and make recommendations. The advisory committee will review the recommendations to inform a decision and any action taken on the material in question.
To download a copy of the IDL Collection Development Policy, please click here.