Nonfiction - Adult

Revised August 2012

General Comments

This collection encompasses both adult and young adult titles. Balance in the collection is determined by use, statistics, and demand. The Library selects materials that meet the needs of a public diverse in age and educational background. This collection is heavily influenced by electronic sources.

Development Plan

The Library develops a collection that takes into consideration currency, content, scope, and popularity. Some areas have very little development due to low demand.

• 000 Generalities. A small collection encompassing library related sources for periodicals, government publications, computer science, encyclopedic works, and journalism is maintained. Rare books are not collected.
• 100 Philosophy, occultism and psychology. Maintained are wide-ranging selections pertaining to paranormal phenomena.
• 200 Religion. A small collection on world religions, denominations (Christian based), and mythology is maintained.
• 300 Social sciences. Directories, statistical factual information with a world emphasis, and encyclopedic sources are maintained. Also maintained is a small collection emphasizing the social service area, continuing education sources, and communication skills with minimal development in folklore and world customs.
• 400 Language. Dictionaries and structural systems for grammar usage with emphasis on the English language are maintained.
• 500 Natural sciences and mathematics. Calendar information, world atlas information, and selections pertaining to natural history, physical sciences, and mathematics are maintained.
• 600 Technology. Sources emphasizing contemporary issues in medicine are developed and maintained. A small collection of automotive, space flight, livestock industry, and computer science selections is maintained. Sources emphasizing cooking and the "how to" areas of building and construction are developed and maintained.
• 700 The arts. The arts and crafts section is developed and maintained. A small collection of photography and music sources are maintained. Antique price guides for collectibles, and selections for the numismatic (postage stamp) enthusiast are developed and maintained.
• 800 Literature. A small core collection of American and world literature criticism geared toward student assignments is maintained.
• 900 Geography, history, and biographies. Sources emphasizing geography and travel sources are maintained. A limited historical section with an emphasis on Wyoming history and Campbell County is maintained.

Influencing Factors

• Purchases and buying patterns are determined in large part by:
• budget constraints.
• shelf space.
• electronic/Internet sources availability.
• availability of a fully developed collection at the main library.
• interlibrary loan requests.
• patron requests.
• donations/gifts.

Retention/Weeding

• Dated materials are weeded, with consideration given for historical value.
• Physically worn materials are repaired, rebound, replaced, or updated.
• Low circulating items are weeded to provide shelf space for new materials.