1. Introduction and Background Information

The purpose of this Collection Development Policy is to provide guidelines for acquisition and withdrawal decisions in accordance with the CATS mission.  The policy will assist in budgeting and purchasing, as well as define the scope of our collection.

CATS Mission Statement

We support rural and urban forests and promote knowledge and understanding of the value of trees for present and future generations.

2. Scope of Collection

Books and digital materials relevant to the CATS mission.

3. Responsibility for Collection Development

  Librarian and Communications Chair

4. Selection Tools and Criteria for New Purchases

Selection Tools

  • Authoritative print and web resources (e.g., Washington Post, Va. Dept. of Forestry).
  • Suggestions from Library staff and CATS members

Selection Criteria

  • Relevance to CATS mission and service
  • Library budget
  • Library space limitations
  • Informational needs and interests of CATS members
  • Reputation of the author or publisher
  • Authority, accuracy, and timeliness of information
  • Relevance to the existing collection’s strengths and weaknesses
  • Contemporary significance
  • Importance as a local or historical record

5. Withdrawal of Materials (Weeding) Criteria

  • Poor physical condition
  • Obsolete or superseded information
  • Library has more than two copies
  • Item no longer relevant to the needs and interests of our community

6. Replacement Policy

The Library will replace items lost, missing or in poor physical condition, if they meet the criteria
for new purchases. Before replacement purchases are made, an email will be sent to
CATS membership requesting donations of titles to be replaced.

7. Donations Policy

The library accepts donations from CATS members, but will accept or decline items with the following criteria in mind:

  • Scope of library collection (e.g., gardening books are outside the scope of our collection).
  • Library Space limitations
  • Physical condition of donated item
  • Authority, accuracy, and timeliness of information, e.g., items with outdated content will be declined,
    unless of special historical significance
  • Relevance to the existing collection’s strengths and weaknesses
  • Contemporary significance
  • Importance as a local or historical record