A. Purpose of Policy
1. Because of the volume of publishing, as well as the limitations of budget and space, the Library must have a selection policy with which to meet community interests and needs
2. The materials selection/collection development policy is used by the library staff in the selection of materials and also serves to acquaint the general public with the principles of selection.
B. Objectives
1. The purpose of the Library is to provide all individuals in the community with carefully selected books and other materials to aid the individual in the pursuit of education, information, research, pleasure, and the creative use of leisure time.
2. The Library will not attempt to furnish materials needed for formal courses of study offered by schools and institutes of higher learning. The Library has materials for self-study, but is not designed to furnish reading required for academic study.
3. The Library subscribes to the following basis policies contained in the Library Bill of Rights of the American Library Association and The Freedom of Read Statement which affirms its belief in the following basic policies:
a. As a responsibility of library service, books and other reading materials should be chosen for values of interest, information and enlightenment of all the people of the community. In no case should any book be excluded because of the race, nationality, or political or religious views of the author.
b. The Library should contain material presenting all points of view concerning the problems and issues of our times including international, national and local. Books and other reading material should not be removed from library shelves because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
4. The materials selection/collection development policy, like all other policies, will be reviewed and/or revised as the need arises.
C. Responsibility for Selection
The responsibility for selection lies with the professional staff of the Library operating within the areas of service to children, young adults, and adults. The general public and staff members may recommend materials for consideration.
The ultimate responsibility for selection of library materials rests with the Director who operates within the framework of the policies determined by the Board and the City. Since the Director must be available to answer to the Board and the City and the general public for actual selections made, the Director has the authority to reject or select any item contrary to the recommendations of the staff.
D. General Principle of Selection
1. Selection of library materials is based on the merits of a work in relation to the needs, interests, and demands of the community. Basic to this policy is the Library Bill of Rights, as adopted by the American Library Association and discussed in the preceding section.
2. The Library is responsible for providing circulating, reference, and research materials for the general public and students to the graduate level. Special in-depth collections (local history, genealogy, etc.) shall also be maintained when indicated by community interest.
3. The Library recognizes that some materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Selection of materials will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the basis of the principles stated in this policy.
4. As a policy, the Library does not purchase materials written simply for sensationalism or which are purely pornographic. On the other hand, serious works which present honest aspects of some problems, or of life, are not necessarily excluded because of coarse language or frankness.
5. Responsibility for children’s reading material rests with the child’s parents or legal guardians. Selection of library materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may come into the possession of children.
6. Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their contents, and no library material will be sequestered except to protect it from damage or theft.
