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Collection Development Manual > Libraries & Collections > Central Library > Fiction

Fiction

The Fiction collection includes general fiction as well as science fiction, graphic novels, westerns, short stories and mysteries. In general, this collection is heavily used, and it is always changing. Newly published materials and replacement books are constantly added, and older items that are worn or that are not being used are weeded from the collection on a regular basis.

There is heavy demand for current books, especially "genre" books (like science fiction or romance), as well as current well-respected literary writers. Classics are also heavily used. The library strives to anticipate the needs of the reading public, and is always loo king for areas in which the collection should be augmented. For example, as immigrants become a larger percentage of the population in Multnomah County, the library is purchasing more fiction (in translation) from immigrant communities' homelands. This is partly to meet the needs of new residents, but also as a response to interest from the community at large.

Fiction materials of local interest and books by local authors, as well as new experimental fiction are an important part of the Fiction collection. Mass market paperbacks are being added to the Fiction collection on a limited basis, abridged editions or synopses of books are not purchased.

The library has recently been focusing on increasing its collection of graphic novels (comic books). The graphic novels portion of the Fiction collection include comic book serial re-issues, literary adaptations, manga serials, new serials and stand-alone fiction. All genres are represented, including science fiction, fantasy, horror, mystery, romance, biography, general fiction, and humor.

Genre fiction, including fantasy, westerns, science fiction, romance, historical fiction and mysteries are a popular part of the fiction collection as well. The library seeks to retain classic titles and representative works by major authors of all eras, as well as continuing to purchase new genre fiction as it becomes available.

Reference materials to support readers' advisory, book club guides, and other materials to help patrons find leisure reading that interests them are part of the Fiction collection as well.

The Fiction collection is used by a varied group of readers from all age groups, including students and independent learners, leisure readers, teachers, and writers.

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Collections of comic strips (such as one- to four-panel newspaper strips) are part of the Art and Architecture collection, as are materials about how to draw comics and about the comics industry. Although some reference works regarding readers' advisory are kept in the Popular Library room at Central Library, for the most part, literature reference materials are part of the Literature and Writing collection. Literary criticism and critical editions of some classic or well-known works of fiction are also part of the Literature and Writing collection.

At Central Library, the Art and Architecture and Literature and Writing collections are kept in the Humanities rooms.