Standards for the Management of Stock
- The purpose of this document is to provide standards both for the provision of stock and it’s management at all libraries within Leicestershire.
- The standards, where stipulated, provide for minimum requirements and represent an average for each library banding.
- Specific needs of local communities as defined by their community profile and stock development plan may mean that there could be some variation between the accepted standard and local holdings.
- At the end of each chapter, a series of discussion points is listed to provide some guidance for staff in considering the content and issues raised.
- All libraries will provide a book lending service of both fiction and non-fiction for both adults and children.
- This includes the provision of collections of large print and talking books. Each library will also provide materials for reference and information in both printed and other formats.
- The depth and range of collections will vary according to the banding.
- Collections of sound recordings will be held in Market town libraries and Urban Fringe libraries serving a population of over 20000. They will be provided in compact disc format,. Whilst it is accepted that sound recordings remain important as a source of income, it should also be noted that they provide a cultural value as a service and this should be reflected in the make up of collections especially in Market town libraries.
- Special interest videos will be held in Market town and Shopping centre libraries and Urban Fringe libraries serving a population of over 10000 if commercially viable. They should be seen primarily as a supplement to existing bookstock albeit in a different format.
- Collections of family feature film videos are held specifically to generate and maximise income and are targeted at libraries where it is felt this will best be achieved, irrespective of library banding.
- Lending collections of local history material will be held in all libraries with the Market town libraries providing the major reference sources for more in depth research and study purposes.
- Apart from the County Reserve, reserve stocks will be held at Market town libraries only and Urban Fringe libraries serving a population of over 20000. The exception to this will be a limited range of seasonal stock and some local history reference materials at Shopping centre libraries and Urban Fringe libraries serving a population of over 10000.
- The fundamental principle with regard to the management of library stocks is that they are viewed as a total county resource and are offered to the people of Leicestershire through the complete network of public library service points.
The full document is available for download in the following formats:
Page Last Updated: 3 August 2006
