Screenshot from Meaford Library Facebook Video
The Meaford library is focusing on updating its catalogue of books and DVDs during the municipality’s 2023 budget process.
The Meaford 2023 budget report says the library is looking for $29,500 to replace its book collection, $5,000 for DVDs and $5,500 for processing.
The collection is reviewed every three years and items which have not circulated for over two years and flagged for withdrawal.
Books including classics, high interest, local history, and out-of-print are part of the library’s core collection and are not replaced.
“A collection should not be older than seven to 10 years,” says the report.
The items replaced fall within a number of categories, including if they are moldy, musty, have misleading facts, are ugly, have been unused for two years, are stained, are superseded by a newer edition, are torn beyond repair, have no literary or scientific merit, irrelevant to the needs and interests of the library community, or if they are easily obtainable from another library.
“The library’s collection must be diverse and include up-to-date materials that continue to promote literacy, reading readiness, and life-long learning and requires annual investment,” says the report.
The library is expecting to spend $40,000 to update its catalogue.
Meaford council will be resuming its budget discussion Feb. 24 after receiving a budget with a proposed 7.1 per cent tax rate increase.