The
Materials Selection Policy of the
The
policies state herein should not be regarded as rigid rules or strict limitations,
but rather as guideposts for materials selection activities.
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT
OBJECTIVES
The
The
RESPONSIBILITIES
FOR MATERIALS SELECTION
THE LIBRARY DIRECTOR:
The
ultimate responsibility for the selection of library materials, as for
all library activities, rests with the Library Director, who operates within
the framework of policies determined by the Library Board of Trustees.This
responsibility is shared in its execution by the various department heads
of the library and members of the staff as designated by the Library Director.The
Library Director should be able to answer to the Board and the public for
actual selections made by the staff and, therefore has the right to recommend
any book contrary to the recommendation of the staff.All
staff members are encouraged to make suggestions, and suggestions from
patrons are also encouraged and considered within the framework of this
policy.Request forms are provided
at the circulation and reference desks of each branch of the Library.
DEPARTMENT HEADS
Library
materials are selected for the reference, the children’s, the audio-visual,
the adult non-fiction and fiction collections, by the department heads
in light of available budgets within the framework of this policy.
BRANCH LIBRARIANS AND
BOOKMOBILE LIBRARIAN
The
Branch Librarians are responsible for the selection, maintenance and weeding
of the branch collection under the general supervision of the department
heads.They recommend books for consideration
and forward patrons’ requests for library material purchases to the appropriate
department heads.
CRITERIA FOR
MATERIALS SELECTION
The
following factors will be taken into account when selecting materials:
·Current
usefulness and popular demand.
·Permanent
value of the title to the collection.
·The
scope and depth of the existing subject collection.
·The
authority and literary standing of the author (No author’s works will be
excluded from the collection solely because of his/her personal history,
political affiliation, race, sex, sexual orientation, or cultural background).
·The
authority and reputation of the publisher or producer.
·The
technical excellence and durability of the format.
·Availability
of the same title or information elsewhere within the library system.
·Favorable
review in professional/literary publications.
·Availability,
cost and budgetary restraints.
·Appearance
of the title in special bibliographies or indexes.
Materials
need not meet all of the criteria in order to be acceptable.All
materials for review/selection are considered as whole works and may not
be excluded on the basis of individual sections taken out of context.
Textbooks
will not be acquired to support the local educational institutions, unless
a textbook covers a given subject better than other available material.
STATEMENT ON
CENSORSHIP
In
order to meet the stated mission and goals of the Library, materials of
various formats will be collected on the widest possible range of ideas
and viewpoints.In doing so, the Library
acquires many unpopular and controversial materials.The
Library
materials will not be marked or labeled to show approval or disapproval
of the contents or to indicate particular philosophies outlined in the
work.To take this action is to establish
in a user’s mind a judgment before s/he has had an opportunity to examine
the work personally
No
cataloged book or other item will be placed on closed shelves, except for
the express purpose of protecting it from injury or theft if previous incidents
have proven the item to be in significant jeopardy while on open shelves.
Finally,
the decision of what a minor may read is the responsibility of the parent
or guardian.Selection of library
materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that certain controversial
or graphic materials may come into the possession of children.
REQUESTS FOR
RECONSIDERATION OF MATERIALS
All
requests for reconsideration of materials will be handled in the following
manner:
·The
staff member receiving the complaint will ask the patron to fill out the
appropriate form (see
Appendix A).
·When
the completed form has been received, it will then be submitted to the
Director.
·The
Director will ask the appropriate department head to locate as many reviews
of the title as possible.
·The
Director will also ask other members of the library staff to review the
title in question.While the material
is under consideration, it will not be removed from use pending final action.
·Time
for discussion of the title will be scheduled on the agenda of the next
department heads meeting.
·After
the discussion at the meeting, the members will submit their recommendations
to the Director in writing.
·The
Director will take all factors under advisement and come to a decision.This
will be communicated to the complainant in writing.
·If
the complainant is not satisfied with the Director’s decision, then he/she
has the right to appeal the matter to the Library Board in writing within
30 days.
·The
Library Board will then hear the complainant’s position, as well as the
Director’s at the next regularly scheduled meeting.
·The
Library Board is the final authority.
MAINTENANCE
OF THE COLLECTION
Weeding
is the regular, on-going , and systematic evaluation of the library’s collection
and is an integral part of collection development in maintaining a well
balanced collection.The following
is a list of criteria used in making decisions on whether to weed, replace,
or bind existing library materials.For
more specific criteria on each section of the Library, refer to the professional
publication The Crew Method published by the Texas State Library and Archives
Commission.A copy of The Crew Method
will be available for public examination at the Reference Desk.
WEEDING
Outdated,
worn, badly marked, or duplicate copies of seldom used materials should
be withdrawn.
Titles
withdrawn because of loss, damage or general condition are considered for
replacement.The need for replacement
depends on the following factors:
·Number
of duplicate copies.
·Coverage
of the subject in the collection.
·Demand
·Availability
of newer and/or better materials on the subject.
The
library endeavors to bind periodicals which are of reference value.Bound
sets are available only at the Main Library.
The
choice of books for rebinding is made in accordance with the established
policies of original selection, weeding and replacement.Factors
for special consideration are:
·Value
and use of the title and possibility of replacement;
·Physical
condition, including quality of paper, margins, illustrations;
·Cost
of rebinding versus cost of replacement;
·Number
of copies available.
GIFTS TO THE
LIBRARY
DONATIONS
OF MATERIALS
The
library is grateful for donations of materials.The
criteria for book selection will also apply in the acceptance of donations
of books and materials to the library, and in most instances of deciding
where the book will be added.A letter
for tax purposes will be provided if requested by the donor.
The
library makes every effort to dispose of all gift materials it cannot use
to the very best advantage.If at
all suitable, it is offered to other libraries or institutions as a gift
or exchange.Materials may also be
given to the Friends of The Library book sale to be sold and the monies
generated then used to support the library with new materials or services.Once
a gift is accepted by the library, it is clearly understood that it becomes
the property of the library, to be used or disposed of as is seen fit.
DONATIONS
OF MEMORIA AND GIFT MONIES
Funds
for the purchase of memorial books or other materials are accepted.Library
selection criteria apply in these cases.A
memorial gift plate is placed in these books, and the gift is acknowledged
to all involved parties.Priority
is given to suggestions from the donor concerning title, format, etc…No
other conditions may be imposed relating to any gift, donation, or memorial
after its acceptance by the Library.