Description of Bettendorf, Iowa

Bettendorf is part of the Quad City Metropolitan Statistical Area. The current population is 31,275. Settled predominately by people of German descent, it was incorporated in 1903, with a population of 440. At the time of World War II, it still had less than 4,000. It began to grow during the fifties and sixties, with an increase in manufacturing and other business, and between 1960 and 1980 more than doubled in population.

Bettendorf's population is 49% male and 51% female. The median age is 38.7 years. The age group from 35 to 54 accounts for 33% of the population compared to 30% for Scott County and 28.6% for the state. Bettendorf's over-75 population is 5.9% of the total, compared to 5.7% in the county and 7.7% in the state. Bettendorf's elementary school population is 15% of the population compared to 14.9% in Scott County and 14% in Iowa.

Bettendorf residents are employed mainly in professional, managerial, technical and sales occupations. Their educational level is high: residents with 4 or more years of college represent 38.8% of the population, compared to 24.9% in Scott County and 21.2% in the State of Iowa.

Mission Statement

The Bettendorf Public Library Information Center is committed to providing access to information and ideas for all.

Vision Statement

The Bettendorf Public Library Information Center will be the recognized source of knowledge and information, the place to gather and discuss, the encourager of reading, and the leader in cooperation with the city, schools and organizations. We will be the gateway to life-long learning, offering a full spectrum of services, materials and programming.

Value Statements

The Bettendorf Public Library Information Center – its Board of Trustees, staff and volunteers – is committed to the following values:

• We value the library as a public forum: it is a community facility for open communication of ideas and information; its collection, displays, programs and services reflect an array of opinions and viewpoints.
• We value the community by actively participating in it and endeavoring to enhance the quality of its life.
• We value full and equal access to information, the building, its services and its programs.
• We value the collection of and accessibility to information in all formats: print, electronic, audio and video.
• We value our customers by responding to them with equal, respectful, accurate and friendly service to all.
• We value reading and learning and promote both for all ages.
• We value the privacy of our users by keeping their transactions strictly confidential.

The Bettendorf Public Library provides library materials for the information, entertainment, intellectual development, and enrichment of the people of Bettendorf. Library materials are chosen according to this Collection Development Policy which has been approved by the Board of Trustees.

Purpose of the Collection Development Policy

• To further the Mission of the Bettendorf Public Library Information Center.
• To guide librarians in the selection of materials.
• To inform the public about the principles upon which selections are made.

The Bettendorf Public Library Information Center is a public forum; a place where ideas and information are freely communicated, where a broad spectrum of opinion and a variety of viewpoints is presented in its collection, displays, programs and services and where all of these reflect both majority and minority cultures, the work of men and women, respect for young and old and the various lifestyles and abilities and diverse aspects of our society. The library strives to present materials representing all sides of an issue in a neutral, unbiased manner. The existence of a particular viewpoint in the collection is an expression of the library's policy of intellectual freedom, not an endorsement of the particular point of view.

The Bettendorf Public Library Information Center endorses the Library Bill of Rights of the American Library Association as stated below:

1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
5. A person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
6. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

Responsibility for Selection

Library material selection is vested in the Library Director and such members of the professional staff who are qualified by reason of education and training. Any library material so selected shall be held to be selected by the Board of Trustees. Patrons are also an important part of the selection process. Forms by which Bettendorf residents can request material are available at the public service desks. Patrons holding a valid Bettendorf library card may also request purchase of items by telephone or via the library's website.

General Selection Criteria

These general criteria are taken into account for all materials selected for the Bettendorf Public Library Information Center. Additional specific criteria are listed when appropriate for different types of materials. All items selected will meet several of the general or specific criteria.

• Current and anticipated needs and interests of the public
• Accuracy of content
• Timeliness of information
• Author's, artist's or publisher's qualifications and/or reputation
• Evaluations in review media
• Contribution to diversity or breadth of collections
• Inclusion of title in standard bibliographies or indexes
• Receipt of or nomination for major awards or prizes
• Quality of production
• Affordability
• Support of library's mission and roles

The library subscribes to several periodicals which are used as review and evaluation sources for material selection. Among these are:

• Library Journal
• Booklist
• Kirkus Reviews
• Publisher's Weekly
• New York Times Book Review
• School Library Journal
• VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates)
• Billboard
• Rolling Stone
• www.allmusic.com
• Horn Book

  Adult Fiction

The library provides a collection of standard and contemporary fiction titles as well as genre fiction for the intellectual enrichment, information, and entertainment needs and interests of the adult population of Bettendorf. Multiple copies of frequently requested titles are provided. Large print, audio cassette and compact disc copies of some popular titles are also available.

    Special Criteria (in addition to General Criteria)

• Collection's need to reflect minority as well as majority cultures
• Literary merit

  Adult Nonfiction

The library maintains a collection of general interest nonfiction titles to provide for the information needs and browsing interests of library patrons. Materials for which there is heavy, temporary demand may be selected with less emphasis on the general criteria listed above.

    Special Criteria (in addition to General Criteria)

• Suitability for intended audience (research-level books not purchased)
• Ease of use, including index, bibliography and illustrations

  Periodicals

The library maintains a collection of magazines for informational and recreational reading. Most periodicals are retained for three years.

    Special criteria (in addition to General Criteria)

• Available indexing (lack of indexing will not exclude a title if it meets patrons needs)
• Community interests as measured by surveys, purchase requests and interlibrary loan requests
• Availability of display shelving and storage space

  Newspapers

Newspapers are selected to provide local, state, regional and national coverage. Local newspapers plus a selection of regional and national titles are purchased. Issues are retained for four to six months. The Bettendorf News and Quad-City Times are purchased on microfilm. Library patrons have access to a large collection of full-text newspapers through online subscriptions.
  Reference Materials
Reference materials provide timely and accurate information on a wide variety of topics. Because of method of use, rarity, or cost, they are maintained for in-library use only.

    Special criteria (in addition to General Criteria)

• Currency of the material
• Thoroughness of coverage
• Importance of subject matter to the collection
• Ease of use (especially indexing)

  Reference Materials in Electronic Format

Some reference tools are purchased in electronic formats (CD-ROM, on-line, etc.).

    Special criteria (in addition to General Criteria)

• Ease of use
• Timeliness of updates
• Licensing restrictions and remote access
• Technical support
• Hardware and software requirements

  Pamphlet File

The pamphlet file is a collection of pamphlets, clippings from newspapers and magazines, pictures, maps and government documents that supplements both the circulating and reference collections.

    Special criteria (in addition to General Criteria)

• Format
• Currency
• Emphasis is placed on items of local interest

  Special Collections

   Iowa Collection

Nonfiction books about Bettendorf, Scott County and the State of Iowa are housed in a separate collection. These materials are selected and retained under the following criteria:

• The library attempts to be as inclusive as possible in obtaining books pertaining to the history, economic, social and cultural life of Bettendorf.
• The library makes no attempt to be inclusive in its collection of materials on Scott County or the State of Iowa.
• The library does not collect letters, papers, documents, photos, or other primary resource material of local interest other than books.

   Genealogical Materials

The Bettendorf Public Library Information Center does not collect specialized genealogical materials or purchase U.S. Census on microfilm. The library maintains a basic collection of local history and general "how to" genealogical materials as well as online genealogy databases.

The Bettendorf Public Library Information Center's young adult collection provides educational and recreational materials for young adults ages 12-18. Due to the wide range of tastes and abilities in this age group, there is some duplication between the young adult collection and both the adult and juvenile collections. Multiple copies of frequently requested titles, including series titles, are provided.

  Young Adult Fiction

    Special criteria (in addition to General Criteria)

• Reputation and popularity of author or title among young adults
• Presentation at a level and in a format that appeals to young adults
• Inclusion of material on recommended or curriculum-related reading lists
• Subject matter of special interest to young adults

  Young Adult Nonfiction

    Special criteria (in addition to General Criteria)

• Presentation at a level and in a format that appeals to young adults
• Usefulness of material for research
• Subject matter of special interest to young adults

Children's materials are selected to meet the recreational, educational and cultural needs of children from infancy through age 12. Additional materials are selected to assist adult caregivers with the changing needs of children. Multiple copies of frequently requested titles are provided.

  Juvenile Fiction

The library maintains a variety of children's fiction from the most distinguished in children's literature to popular titles and new, enticing titles that will attract readers of many tastes and abilities. Popular series titles are purchased in response to Bettendorf patron requests.

    Special criteria (in addition to General Criteria)

• Appropriate reading level and interest level
• Appeal of author, genre, series for children
• Inclusion of material on recommended reading lists

  Picture Books

These books, in which illustration is as important as text, serve to introduce children to the world of books. The library includes a wide variety for adults to read to toddlers and preschoolers and for children to look at and use as they begin to read. This collection includes beginning readers, concept books, wordless books and board books as well as picture books.

    Special criteria (in addition to General Criteria)

• Relationship of illustration to text
• Appeal of story and illustration to children
• Age appropriateness of art, text, topic
• Durability of format

  Juvenile Nonfiction

The juvenile nonfiction collection contains general informational works, browsing items and subject-oriented materials on topics of interest to children preschool age through sixth grade. The library does not provide basic texts or materials needed in quantity for schoolwork. It does, however, purchase supplementary materials to enrich the resources available at area schools.

    Special criteria (in addition to General Criteria)

• Suitability for intended audience
• Ease of use, including index, bibliography and illustrations
• Quality of illustrations, maps, graphics and photographs
• Usefulness of material for research

  Parents' Shelf

Many of the materials in the Parents' Shelf collection are chosen for their usefulness in helping parents and other caregivers help their children understand and deal with the problems and situations of everyday life. These include both juvenile and adult titles. Additional materials are chosen to meet the needs of adults providing educational and recreational opportunities to groups of young children. Some duplication exists between this collection and the adult nonfiction materials.

    Special criteria (in addition to General Criteria)

• Suitability for intended audience

  Realia

The realia collection enables children to have hands-on experiences through the use of puppets, Healthy Kids Kits and Learning-To-Go Kits. Puppets are selected as companions to children's literature rather than as toys. The Learning-To-Go Kits have topics that are mutually agreed upon by the staff of Youth Services and the Family Museum of Arts & Science. The kits have been designed to bring the resources and materials from each facility out into the community and into the hands of children. Some duplication of materials does exist within the general collection of library materials.

    Special criteria (in addition to General Criteria)

• Durability of materials
• Ability to clean and disinfect
• Pieces large enough to avoid injury
• Relationship to other material in a kit

Multimedia

  Computer Software

The library provides word processing, spreadsheet and educational software for use in the building on the public personal computers. Additional software is purchased based on the General Criteria.

  CD-ROM

The library maintains a circulating collection of educational, reference and entertainment titles on CD-ROM.

    Special criteria (in addition to General Criteria)

• Ease of use and installation
• Availability of technical support
• Popularity of platform (IBM, Windows, DOS, etc.)
• Proper licensing for circulation

  Video Cassettes/DVD

The video/DVD collection informs and entertains library users of all ages. The library purchases informational and instructional videos and DVDs as well as titles for general entertainment.

    Special criteria (in addition to General Criteria)

• Award winners
• Production quality
• Technical quality (audio and video integrity etc.)

  Audio/Music

The library actively collects and maintains a compact disc music collection in a broad range of styles and eras for both recreational and educational use.

    Special criteria (in addition to General Criteria)

• Excellence of interpretation and technique
• Technical quality

  Audio/Spoken

The spoken audio collection, in cassette and compact disc formats, is intended to fill the recreational and informational needs of adults, young adults and children. Both abridged and unabridged formats are included but no attempt is made to provide a comprehensive or in-depth collection.

    Special criteria (in addition to General Criteria)

• Availability of replacement tapes
• Quality of production (especially of the reader)

Gifts are accepted but must undergo the same scrutiny and meet the same standards as the materials purchased for the collection. Donated periodical subscriptions for which there is no indexing and which have limited appeal are marked "Complimentary" and no back files are kept. The library reserves the right to refuse any donations of materials. Donations not added to the collection are given to the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library for their sales. (For further information see the library's Gift Policy.)

The Board of the Bettendorf Public Library Information Center endorses the FREEDOM TO READ STATEMENT and its interpretations. Materials selected under the Collection Development Policy are considered protected under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.

Public libraries preserve and enhance the people's right to a broader range of ideas than those held by any one librarian, publisher or government. On occasion, there can be diverse opinions by individuals or groups as to what is acceptable or appropriate for the collection. Library collections are not limited to only those ideas and information one person or group believes to be true, good and proper.

The Board of Trustees believes that anyone is free to reject for himself/herself library materials of which he or she does not approve. However, the individual cannot restrict the freedom of others to read, view or hear.

Parents or legal guardians have the responsibility to guide and direct the reading, viewing or listening of their own minor children. The library does not take the place of the parent or guardian.

Resident patrons who initiate comments or complaints will receive copies of the Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read, and the Collection Development Policy and the form, Statement of Concern about Bettendorf Public Library Materials. The Library Director will go over these materials with the patron. It is important to understand that concerns call into question selection decisions that have been made according to policy. The process of registering complaints is designed to make sure the selection was appropriate and results in informing the patron about the philosophy and criteria used. Resident patrons whose concerns are not satisfied by staff are invited to the next meeting of the Board of Trustees. Their decision will be final.

The collection is maintained and weeded through an ongoing process of collection analysis. Older items are repaired, withdrawn, or replaced based on the following:

• The needs and interests of the community
• Number of circulations, requests and reserves
• Availability of similar materials in the collection
• Affordability
• Physical condition and age of the item
• In-print status
• Appearance in standard lists
• Available space
• Availability at other local libraries

Items discarded are given to the Friends of the Bettendorf Public Library for their book sales.

The library will not withdraw an item simply because a patron wishes to purchase it.

Since libraries cannot meet all of the possible needs of their patrons with in-house materials, they belong to networks which give them access to collections of other libraries.

Approved by the Library Board of Trustees
revised 4/99, 4/03, 8/06