Because libraries collect materials over time, frequently they must decide whether to collect older materials. For example, public libraries often collect fiction that is written in series. Readers who have read some of the series may want to read other books in the series. If the library has collected a number of newer titles in a series, should it try to collect the older titles as well?

Age of materials is even more of an issue with academic libraries, since their users may be interested in the historical aspects of a subject for the purposes of research. How will the library balance the need for newer materials against the need for "historical" materials?

This should be covered in the collection development policy.

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