Young Adults Collection Policy

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This policy is primarily concerned with the young adults collection in the City library but its principles are also expected to cover the development of the young adults collections of the Mosgiel, Port Chalmers, Blueskin Bay, and Waikouaiti Libraries, McNab, and Book Bus collections. 

1.  Collection Scope

The collection provides for the recreational and personal needs of young adults.  In June 2008, 6,801 young adults were registered as borrowers, with approximately 46% being boys and approximately 4,300 items are issued each month.

The collection does not aim to provide school textbooks or materials designed especially for classroom use.

2.  Collection Purpose

Dunedin Public Libraries endorses the Library and Information Association of New Zealand Aotearoa’s Policy on Library Services to Children and Young People.

The collection aims to provide the widest possible selection of high quality resources to assist the development and recreation of young adults. 

It seeks to assist young readers to develop mature reading skills, to foster a love of literature and learning, and to stimulate the imagination, the creative use of language, and the critical faculties.

The collection supports NZCEA curriculum requirements as stated in Dunedin Public Libraries’ Learning Support Policy and is used by young adults, secondary school teachers, and other youth providers.  The needs of young people are paramount in making collection decisions.

Titles from around the world are chosen on the basis of literary quality and their appeal to young adults. 

3.  History

Specialised services for young people aged 13-18 have been provided by Dunedin Public Libraries since the 1940s.

4.  Description of Collection

Materials are purchased to provide for diverse interests, tastes, reading abilities, and information needs.  The collection focuses on young people's recreational and personal needs, since the children’s and adult non-fiction sections provide materials for school projects and other educational needs.

The greater part of the collection consists of fiction, mostly in paperback and distinguished by genre labels where appropriate.  New Zealand fiction and short stories are chosen, as well as true-to-life, historical, romantic, mystery, horror, humour, and fantasy and science fiction titles.

The non-fiction section provides a full range of subjects, including perennial issues such as drugs and alcohol, relationships and sexual issues, and includes some reference materials related to life skills and careers.  It is expected that, for other curriculum based information requirements, young adults will consult adult and children’s materials.

Magazines are chosen on the basis of general appeal to young people and of recreational interest.  A few specialised titles provide for particular interests, eg gaming.

While the collection is primarily in the English language some provision is made for selecting materials in Te Reo, Pacific and other languages as deemed appropriate.

5.  Housing

Young adults’ books, magazines and audio visual materials are primarily displayed in the Teen Space on the 2nd Floor of the City Library with smaller collections in the Community Libraries and Book buses.

A small stack containing older young adult books is kept in the City Library’s Upper Basement. 

6.  Valuation

Young adults’ materials form part of the total valuation of lending materials carried out approximately every two years for insurance purposes.

Lending collections are depreciated at the rate of 20% of the purchase price over five years.

7.  Collection Management

Responsibility for selection rests with the Collection Specialists chosen for their understanding of young adults and their needs, and a knowledge of the broad field of children’s literature.

The Teen Librarian, as Advocate, is charged with providing a supporting role.

7.1  Selection Tools

Selection tools include School Library Journal, Kliatt, Horn Book, and Australian Book Review, Magpies.

Awareness is enhanced through media scanning, local buying, suggestions from teens and special interest groups.

7.2  Selection Guidelines

Special consideration is given to:

  • The requirements of young people from the early teens to adulthood, with varying levels of reading and comprehension skills
  • Currency of materials
  • New Zealand content, particularly of local interest
  • Classic titles republished recently with contemporary covers
  • Suggestions from young people
  • Use of explicit sexual language or content with regard to what is generally considered appropriate for this age group
  • Visual appeal

7.3  Deselection

In order to keep the collections looking current and inviting, materials which appear worn or dated or attract low use are withdrawn regularly and an optimum collection size is aimed for.

Classic works attracting low use but of a ‘perennial’ nature or works by very well regarded authors and/or medal winners are retained in a small stack for use upon request.

Some of these latter works are regularly purchased in new editions to attract greater interest in the works.

8.  Formats

Materials are provided in the following formats:

  • Books (paperbacks are usually selected but hardback versions are purchased if published prior to hardbacks and if long-term durability is desired)
  • Magazines
  • Audio Visual formats such as DVDs, compact discs
  • Selected electronic resources designed for young people are accessible through the ‘Dunedin Public Libraries Teen Pages’ links on the Library’s Internet site

9.  Standing Orders

A small number of fiction authors are received on Standing Order.

10.  Donations

Donations are gratefully received by the Library, and may on some occasions be actively sought.  Their retention, however, is subject to the judgment of relevant Collection Specialists.

The Library reserves the right to make decisions concerning suitability for the collections, and acceptance will be guided by the relevant selection guidelines. 

11.  Preservation and Repair

Collection items will be repaired and rebound appropriate to their age, condition and expected future use.  Items will be replaced wherever possible, by new or second hand copies. 

12.  Review

This policy will be reviewed within five years.

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