Policy

The Transfer and Withdrawal of Materials Policy ensures that the Metropolitan Library System makes available the most reliable, up-to-date and useful materials to meet customer needs through the regular evaluation of the materials in each library’s collection.

Regulations

1. Ultimate responsibility for the evaluation, retention, transfer or withdrawal of library materials rests with the Executive Director. The Executive Director delegates to staff members the authority to interpret and apply policies in maintaining the library collection.
2. All staff members assigned responsibility for evaluating materials for retention or withdrawal are expected to keep the stated policy in mind and to apply their professional knowledge and experience in making decisions.
3. The Deputy Executive Director/Materials & Outreach oversees a yearly evaluation schedule established for each system library. Managers of Library Operation are responsible for implementing this schedule for their agency.
4. Each work or piece of material is evaluated on its own merits and in relation to other items in the collection.
5. Worn, damaged or outdated items are withdrawn and replaced by new, updated materials.
6. Infrequently used materials may be withdrawn to make space for new additions to meet current customer needs.
7. All withdrawn materials are reviewed by the Deputy Executive Director/Materials & Outreach or designee who makes final decision.
8. Materials in good condition that continue to meet the system’s criteria for selection but are no longer needed by a particular agency may be transferred to another agency by the Deputy Executive Director/Materials & Outreach or designee.
9. All withdrawn materials are given to the Friends of the Metropolitan Library System for their annual book sale. Proceeds of the sale are used to benefit the library system.