II. Description of the collection
As of July 2006, the Library's collection consisted of approximately 107,500 titles and 120,000 items. About 30% of Library books and audiovisual materials are in the Youth Services Collection. With the exception of reference materials, current periodicals, and the Local History Collection, customers may check out most materials.
The median publication dates of most areas of the collection range from 1995 to 2003 in 2007. In certain subject areas, such as literature and art, the age of the work is not critical and the Library holds titles in an extensive chronological range. In other areas, such as medicine and technology and many popular collections, publication date is a critically important criterion and the median publication date of the works is much more recent. The Library also maintains a historical record of Monterey and the Monterey Peninsula.
The collection consists primarily of hardcover and paperback books, magazines and newspapers in print, electronic, and microfilm formats, DVDs, audio compact discs, audio and VHS videocassettes, and online publications including electronic books, digital audiobooks, and subscription databases. Additional formats may be acquired for the Local History Collection as specified in section X.D.1.b.iv.
The Library Director may approve addition of new formats to the collection for evaluation based on customer requests or anticipated community interest without revision of this policy. If usage justifies continuation of these trial collections, a policy revision will be submitted for approval within one year.
Based on community demand, budget limitations, technical considerations, and/or availability the Library does not acquire phonograph albums, software (except when included with other material in a read-only format), non-VHS videocassettes, or art prints for circulation.
Multimedia works that combine materials in more than one format are increasingly popular. Attached materials such as audio CDs, CD-ROMs, and DVDs enhance the value and appeal of many books. Multiformat titles may be acquired after the selector has determined where the materials will be located based on this policy and consulted Technical Services staff if necessary about any special processing requirements. Attached materials cannot take the place of a separate format collection. When there is growing customer demand for an attached format that is not otherwise acquired, this format will be considered for addition as a separate collection.
Multiple copies of best sellers and other popular titles are purchased as promptly as possible to anticipate customer demand. Multiple copies are also acquired to anticipate demand resulting from community events and activities such as author visits, local promotion, seasonal celebrations, and media tie-ins, or to support Library programs. Selectors consider purchasing an additional copy whenever there are three or more holds on each copy currently in the collection. Multiple copies may also be acquired when use is anticipated in more than one area. For example, the same title may be purchased for both teen and adult collections or both reference and circulating collections. Works about the Monterey area may be selected for the Monterey Collection, the Local History Collection, and the general collection. Additional copies of local interest titles with limited printings may also be acquired to anticipate long-term demand. With these exceptions, one copy of most titles is acquired.
The Library often purchases representative titles in many series of related works, rather than every title in a limited number of series, particularly in smaller and more selective collections such as graphic novels, audiobooks, and DVDs.
The Library collection consists primarily of works in the English language. The City of Monterey is a center for international and language education, however, so language collections are a priority. The Library collects language instruction books and audiovisual materials, as well as dictionaries, phrase books, and bilingual works in requested languages. Limited collections of fiction, nonfiction, and audiovisual works for adults and children in the languages most read in the community and requested by Library customers are maintained. A small number of non-English titles for visitors are included in the Monterey Collection, and the Library subscribes to a small selection of popular magazines and newspapers in requested languages.
The City of Monterey General Fund supports the Library’s core collection and ongoing acquisition activities. Currently, about 6% of the Library General Fund budget is devoted to library materials. The Library gratefully accepts donations for purchase of Library materials, including memorial and honorary donations. Donations designated for collection development are deposited in and expended from the Library Trust Fund. Allocations from the Library Trust Fund are used to supplement or enhance the core collection in specific areas of community need. For additional information about donations to the library, refer to Policy 190: Gifts, Donations, Sponsorships, and Fundraising.
