The selection of materials is driven by WCL’s mission “to enhance the knowledge, skills, enterprise, and enjoyment of the people of Wellington County through the provision of high-quality library service.” The Chief Librarian has overall responsibility for the collection, will seek the input of the Information Services Librarian - Collections, and may delegate responsibilities for selection. In selecting materials, staff will use professional resources, judgement, knowledge and experience.
What material is ordered and what remains in the collection is based on the following criteria:
- Recommendations by critics or reviewers
- Awards won or nominated for
- Authoritativeness of the creator and reputation of the publisher
- Relationship to existing collection and other material on the subject
- Artistic and literary merits
- Suitability for meeting the needs and interests of the community
- Accuracy of information
- Local content of a significant nature
- Public demand
- Canadian content/subject matter
- Suitability and quality of physical form, layout and construction
- Space requirements
- Purchase price and other budgetary requirements
WCL collects English materials for all ages and French materials for children. WCL collects material in languages other than English and French to meet the needs of our diverse population, provided that this represents a critical mass of new immigrants to the County who speak the language at home.
All patrons, including employees, are encouraged to place requests for the purchase of library materials. Suggestions for purchase of books or other materials will be considered in accordance with the criteria for selection of materials.