Libraries stock management policy - Introduction

This policy explains the basic principles and practices governing the selection, purchase, management, promotion and disposal of stock within Cumberland and Westmorland and Furness (CWF) libraries.

Stock is defined as books, newspapers, periodicals and magazines in physical and digital formats, as well as maps, printed music and spoken word recordings, electronic information resources, and any other print, non-print or digital formats.

The aim of this Stock Policy is to explain:

• how we choose library stock
• how we maintain and promote it
• how we circulate stock to ensure the widest choice of reading
• why and how we decide to keep some items and remove others 
• our position on censorship
• wow we measure the performance of our stock

The objectives of the Stock Policy are to:

• promote a unified approach to stock selection and management
• improve and develop our stock, and ensure effective use
• optimise value and minimise waste in stock purchase
• enable increased efficiency and effective management of the Information Investment Fund (our “bookfund”)
• present, provide and improve stock which is relevant and attractive to library users, and to the communities we serve
• increase the use of our stock
• promote literacy and reading