Collection Management Policy

Collection Management Policy

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REDDICK PUBLIC LIBRARY DISTRICT COLLECTION MANAGEMENT POLICY

Purpose

The purpose of the Collection Management Policy of the Reddick Public Library District is to guide the library staff in their assigned areas of collection management and to inform the public of the principles which govern the management of the Library’s collection.

Authority

The responsibility for the policy governing the management of the Library’s collections rests with the Board of Trustees. Responsibility for managing the collections is delegated to the Library Director and her/his designees. However, all members of the staff and patrons may recommend titles for consideration. Recommendations for materials from citizens of the community should be encouraged. Individuals can complete a Purchase Request form at the service desk. All requests are given consideration, and patrons will be informed of the Library’s decision. Interlibrary loan may be utilized for out of print items and for items that do not meet the criteria for purchase.

Criteria for Selection

Through careful selection, the Library strives to maintain a diverse collection of quality materials, including items of contemporary significance and permanent value, as well as a selection of materials concerning social issues and ephemeral items. Circulating materials are supplemented by a number of reference materials for both in-house and virtual use.
  1. Materials are selected to fulfill the roles established by the Reddick Public Library District Board of Trustees. The following criteria serve as guidelines:
    1. Literary quality
    2. Popular demand
    3. Value of information
    4. Current or historical interest
    5. Relevance to community interests and needs.
  2. Selection of materials is made on the basis of the values and interests of all the people in the community. No material will be excluded because of the race, nationality, religion, or political or social views of the author.
  3. Because it is impossible for selectors to examine all items being considered for purchase, they depend on reliable selection aids, which include reviews found in standard sources. Other selection aids include, but are not limited to, ALA Notable Books lists, Pulitzer Prize lists, and published lists of bestsellers.
  4. Because the Library serves a public that includes a wide range of ages, educational backgrounds, and reading skills, it will seek to select materials of varying complexity. No titles are excluded from the collection solely because the frankness of presentation might be offensive to some nor because the material might not be suitable for all levels. High interest materials of questionable long-term value are included in the collection and may be withdrawn once they have served their purpose. Literary merit is not a nessary criterion for high interest materials.
  5. When available, materials that contain a significant amount of information about Ottawa and the district or are written by a resident of the library district, will be acquired.

Censorship
  1. The Board of Trustees believes that censorship in an individual matter and declares that, while anyone is free to reject for themselves materials of which they do not approve, they cannot exercise this right of censorship to restrict the freedom of others.
  2. The Library purchases material for collections for each of the following general age groups: adults, preschool-age children, elementary-age children, and junior high-age children. Library selectors choose relevant materials for each of these collections. However, there are no age restrictions on the borrowing of library materials. Selection of materials for the adult collection will not be limited by the fact that this collection is widely used by high school and junior high students, and increasingly by elementary school students. The responsibility for monitoring library material used by minors rests with the parent or guardian.
  3. The Library Board of Trustees defends the principle of Freedom to Read and declares that whenever censorship is involved, no material will be removed from the library except under the orders of a court of competent jurisdiction. The principles of which this policy is based are expressed in the Library Bill of Rights, adopted by the American Library Association (ALA), and as amended by the ALA Council, and the following interpretations by the ALA Council: Challenged materials, Evaluating Library Collections, Exhibit Spaces and Meeting Rooms, Expurgation of Library Materials, Free Access to Libraries for Minors, Restricted Access to Library Materials, and Statement on Labeling, copies of which are attached hereto and incorporated herein.
  4. The Library Board of Trustees adopts and declares that it will adhere to and support:
    1. The Library Bill of Rights adopted by the American Library Association.
    2. The Freedom to Read statement adopted by the American Library Association.
    3. The Freedom to View statement adopted by the American Library Association.
      (These documents are appended to this policy.)
  5. Patrons with complaints concerning specific library materials will be referred to the Director. It is the responsibility of the Director to discuss the complaint with the patron and attempt to clarify any questions regarding the materials. The patron will be provided with a copy of the Collection Management Policy of the Reddick Library.
  6. If the patron decides to pursue their complaint, the patron will complete a copy of the Citizen’s Request for Reconsideration of Materials form and return it to the Director. Upon receipt, the Director will review the form and make an appointment with the patron for a consultation regarding the material. Should the consultation not rectify the problem, the Director will bring the matter to the attention of the Library Board of Trustees for their consideration.

Donations
  1. Gifts of books and other materials will be accepted by the Library with the understanding that these articles are given unconditionally and become the property of the library. The library reserves the right to add the item to its collection, donate it to another institution, or dispose of it in any other manner.
  2. Gifts of money, real property, and stocks and bonds are encouraged and are most useful to the library in unrestricted form. Any restrictions or conditions attached to such gifts must apply to the mission and roles of the library and be acceptable to the Board of Trustees.
  3. Personal property, art objects, memorial, or commemorative objects, displays or plaques, portraits, artifacts, antiques, museum objects, and similar materials are generally not accepted as gifts by the library. Under certain circumstances the library may accept such a gift if all conditions are approved by the Board of Trustees.
  4. The library will not accept any materials which are not outright gifts, nor will the library accept any materials that attach the condition of periodic or permanent display.
  5. No valuations or appraisals shall be made by the library staff on any potential or actual gifts to the library.

Withdrawal of Material

Materials, which no longer meet the stated objectives of the Library, will be discarded according to the accepted professional practices as described in the publication, the CREW Manual. Disposition of all library materials will be at the discretion of the Library Director.

COLLECTION CRITERIA FOR SPECIFIC LIBRARY COLLECTIONS

Sub-sections of the collection are listed in alphabetical order.
 
Abridgements
In order to preserve the original integrity of the text, as well as the author's intent, print and audio abridgements are rarely considered for the inclusion. Abridgements or reworking of a plot or character by the original author, or abridgements of classic works intended for children may be considered.
 
Blind and Physically Handicapped Talking Book Service
Talking book service to patrons with disabilities is provided by the State Library through a system of regional offices. The library will provide referral to the appropriate agency.
 
Databases, Online
The library purchases online subscriptions items that reflect the reference needs of the general public and the academic needs of students from elementary school through high school. Selection factors include reference value, availability of print equivalent, cost, availability of remote access, and patron demand. Priority will be given to those products that provide a unique service, provide added value to their print equivalents, and which are the equivalent of large paper collections.
 
E-books
The library purchases a collection of e-books and e-audiobooks through the consortium to which the Library belongs as well as a supplemental program for the Library’s own patrons.
 
Foreign Language Materials
The library collects a variety of basic foreign language materials, including print and recordings for children and adults that reflect the ethnicity of the community. The library will also provide access to materials at other libraries through interlibrary loan.
 
Genealogy
The library purchases a variety of general guides to help patrons learn how to trace their ancestry. Genealogies of specific families are considered only if the family is of local interest. Staff will provide referral to other libraries and agencies for specific genealogy questions that are beyond the scope of the collection.
 
Non-book materials
The library purchases non-book materials for in-house use or for circulation, which include audiobooks, magazines, newspapers, microfilm, DVDs, and music CDs. Selectors utilize the criteria for and methods of selection listed above. Non-book materials are under constant evaluation and are subject to change. Cost of items, budget, patron use, and improved technologies are determining factors in selection.
 
Textbooks
The Library does not purchase textbooks, but a collection of some textbooks have been donated to the Library by local school districts for in-house use. The library policy is to purchase materials to supplement and complement the curriculum offerings of the schools within the library district.
 
Review of Policy
Because the needs of the community change, the Collection Management Policy is revised as needed and/or reviewed by the Board of Trustees at least every five years.
 
THE LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS
THE AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
  1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people in the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
  2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
  3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
  4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
  5. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
  6. Libraries should make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

ALA FREEDOM TO READ STATEMENT
  1. It is in the public interest for publishers and librarians to make available the widest diversity of views and expressions, including those that are unorthodox, unpopular, or considered dangerous by the majority.
  2. Publishers, librarians, and booksellers do not need to endorse every idea or presentation they make available. It would conflict with the public interest for them to establish their own political, moral, or aesthetic views as a standard for determining what should be published or circulated.
  3. It is contrary to the public interest for publishers or librarians to bar access to writings on the basis of the personal history or political affiliations of the author.
  4. There is no place in our society for efforts to coerce the taste of others, to confine adults to the reading matter deemed suitable for adolescents, or to inhibit the efforts of writers to achieve artistic expression.
  5. It is not in the public interest to force a reader to accept the prejudgment of a label characterizing any expression or its author as subversive or dangerous.
  6. It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians, as guardians of the people's freedom to read, to contest encroachments upon that freedom by individuals or groups seeking to impose their own standards or tastes upon the community at large; and by the government whenever it seeks to reduce or deny public access to public information.
  7. It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians to give full meaning to the freedom to read by providing books that enrich the quality and diversity of thought and expression. By the exercise of this affirmative responsibility, they can demonstrate that the answer to a "bad" book is a good one, the answer to a "bad" idea is a good one.

ALA FREEDOM TO VIEW STATEMENT
The freedom to view, along with the freedom to speak, to hear, and to read, is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. In a free society, there is no place of censorship in any medium of expression. Therefore, these principles are affirmed:
  1. To provide the broadest possible access to film, video, and other audiovisual materials because they are a means for the communication of ideas. Liberty of circulation is essential to insure the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression.
  2. To protect the confidentiality of all individuals and institutions using film, video, and other audiovisual materials.
  3. To provide film, video, and other audiovisual materials which represent a diversity of views and expression. Selection of a work does not constitute or imply agreement with or approval of content.
  4. To provide a diversity of viewpoints without the constraint of labeling or prejudging film, video, and other audiovisual materials on the basis of the moral, religious, or political beliefs of the producer or filmmaker or on the basis of controversial content.
  5. To contest vigorously, by all lawful means, every encroachment upon the public’s freedom to view.
Adopted by Board 5/12/03
Updated by Board 11/10/08, 2/11/13
 
CITIZEN'S REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS
Name: ____________________________________ Date: ______________
Address: _______________________________________________________
City: _______________________________ Phone: ______________________
Whom do you represent?
___Myself
___Organization (Please specify)
___Other (Please specify)
Materials on which you are commenting:
___Book ___CD
___Magazine/Newspaper ___DVD
___Audiobook ___Other
Title: ________________________________________________________________
Author/Producer: ________________________________________________________
  1. What brought this title to your attention?
  2. Please comment on the resource as a whole as well as being specific on those matters that concern you.
  3. What are your specific recommendations to the library regarding this work?
_________________________________________________________________
Your Signature
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(OFFICE USE ONLY)
Board meeting date: ____________
Action Taken:
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