This is an interesting question! Can't
help as I'm about to start relooking at our stock policy but haven't yet
started. We've never had a specific section on donations from religious
- and perhaps other special interest groups such as political groupings
- but I think a good place to start would be CILIP's advice on controversial
material.
http://www.cilip.org.uk/get-involved/policy/responses/past-consultations/consultations2008/Pages/mla_controversial_material2008.aspx
We've had problems in the past where
groups have simply delivered large boxes of books to every branch in our
system, and I know I had one conversation with a representative of one
such group where I was able to explain why this was not a good idea,
which certainly helped next time they wanted to donate something! We've
tended to keep one set of material and disposed of the rest in accordance
with our existing policy on donations, which is basically 'thank you -
our librarians will decide if we wish to stock it and sell the rest'. This
certainly works with individual donors who then have the choice whether
to give to us or send elsewhere.
We also have the problem, which I imagine
is common to many authorities with shrinking Bib Services, increased automation,
joint working etc that we just never get to donations and to cataloguing
stock from scratch. We have to prioritise those areas of our own stock
that have never been catalogued in their entirety eg local studies and
printed music.
Folks may be interested (or it may come
as no suprise) that this isn't a new problem. Back in the early 20C Middlesbrough
Libraries were donated a magnificent personal library of mainly but not
entirely theological works by a member of the Plymouth Brethren. At that
time Middlesbrough Library (I think there was just the one) was housed
in the Town Hall. As a result of the donation, Middlesbrough sought and
got funding from Andrew Carnegie and built our Central Library - which
will be 100 next year. However this still did not completely
solve the problem of how to manage the Kelly Collection - and we're still
working on it!
Go figure.
I'll be interested to hear how others
tackle this - and wish Graham all the best with his situation.
Alyson Hogarth
Stock Manager
Middlesbrough Libraries and Information
01642 729420
'Literacy is not a luxury, it is a right and a responsibility.'
Bill Clinton
Is anyone able to provide an example of library
policy relating to the donation of books from religious or other similar
groups please? One or two aren’t a problem, but we’ve recently been offered
a large number (c.150) titles and wish to know how other libraries would
handle this situation.
Thanks
Graham
Graham Dash, MCLIP, Library
Services Manager (Systems & Development)
Environment & Leisure Group, Leisure & Libraries
London Borough of Sutton, Central Library, St Nicholas Way, SUTTON, Surrey
SM1 1EA .
Tel.: 020 8770 4763, Mobile:
07515137830, Fax: 020 8770 4777
Borough web site:
www.sutton.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=907
Library Catalogue web site:
www.sutton-libraries.gov.uk
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