What is a key function of a collection development policy?

A collection development policy serves as a foundational document that outlines the principles and guidelines for selecting, acquiring, and managing library materials. This comprehensive framework ensures that the resources collected are aligned with the library's mission and the needs of its community.

By defining what types of materials to acquire and the criteria for their selection, the policy helps ensure that the collection remains relevant, diverse, and reflective of the interests and needs of its users. Elements often covered in such a policy include considerations of age appropriateness, currency, diversity in perspectives, and support for various curricular needs.

Other options focus on unrelated aspects of library management. For example, dictating pricing structures pertains to financial management rather than the guiding principles for material selection. Similarly, staff hiring practices and operating hours are operational details that do not directly influence how a library's collection is developed or managed. This makes the option about outlining the principles for managing library materials the most aligned with the core purpose of a collection development policy.