Collection policy, donations and more

Frequently asked questions listed below. If you have any questions please call 9392 5588 or email Library@innerwest.nsw.gov.au.

Does Inner West Library have a Collection Development Policy?

Yes, the Inner West Library Collection Management Protocol (PDF 508KB) provides a framework for the selection, evaluation and maintenance of the library collections.

I’m a local author. How can I have my books included in the collection?

The library is keen to support local authors and we will assess the purchase of works against our Collection Development Protocol.

All types of works will be considered for purchase: books, DVDs, eBooks, graphic novels; for any age group: Junior, Youth and Adult.

Local author works are assessed against the Inner West Library Collection Development Protocol and deselection criteria, noting that the Library withdraws materials from its collections on an ongoing basis to maintain currency.

How to have works assessed for inclusion in the collection:

Submit a request for purchase via the Request an Item form on the library website with details of your work OR
Email the library with details of your work Library@innerwest.nsw.gov.au and a library staff member will get back to you OR
Contact the library to make a time to discuss with the Library Collections Coordinator.

I’ve got some great books and DVDs I’d like to donate, will you take them?

Donations are generally not accepted or encouraged. Please check with library staff before bringing donations to the library, especially in large quantities.

Donations can be accepted in special circumstances if approved by the Library Collections Coordinator.

Acceptance of donations is dependent on their suitability to meet the selection criteria as stated in the Collection Development Protocol. Donated material that does not meet these criteria may be declined or recycled.

Donated items suitable for inclusion in the library collections must:

Be in an appropriate format for public library usage
Be in robust, as-new condition and published in the last twelve months
Be published material in demand
Meet basic selection guidelines.

Also considered:

Items in high demand are accepted to assist in fulfilling holds queues
Items assessed as fitting the criteria for inclusion in special library collections eg Art books, musical instruments
Local authors donating their works.

I have concerns about some of the content in the library. How can I communicate these concerns?

The library seeks to provide the community with a balanced library collection while responding to a range of community needs. The Australian Library and Information Association’s (ALIA) Free access to information statement serves as a guideline for public attitudes to censorship.

Complaints about Library resources are managed by the Library Collections Coordinator and referred to the Library Content and Community Manager and Senior Manager Library and Community Venues if required. Assessment of complaints about library resources is based on ALIA’s Free access to information statement (2015) and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Statement on Libraries and Intellectual Freedom (1999).

The critical elements considered in assessment include:

Material cannot be selected or rejected on moral, political, racial, religious, sexist or other sensitive grounds alone;
Material cannot be rejected on the grounds that its content may offend some section of the community whatever pressure may be brought to bear by individuals and groups;
Material for adult collections should not be limited because of the possibility that materials may inadvertently fall into the hands of children. Monitoring the reading, listening and viewing of persons under the age of 18 years rests with parents and guardians;
Library regulations state that a parent or guardian is required to take responsibility for a person under 18 years borrowing.

I’ve got a book club. Do you have multiple copies of books I can borrow?

Our book club collection includes book sets with 10 copies of the same book in each set. For more information on how you can borrow these sets email Library@innerwest.nsw.gov.au.

The Street Library

The Street Library is an independent initiative and is not part of the Inner West Library Service.

Information about this enterprise can be found online at Street Library - https://streetlibrary.org.au/ - including how to register your Street Library and where to find them.