Hurt/Battelle Memorial Library
of West Jefferson
Collection Development
It is the mission of this policy statement to provide a general set of guidelines for the development and maintenance of the materials collections offered by the Library.
Philosophy
- It is the aim of this Library to meet the informational, educational, cultural and recreational needs of our patrons by providing library materials and information sources in a variety of formats and reading levels in accordance with the mission and goals of this Library, the varied interests of our patrons, and budgetary constraints.
- In compliance with our constitutional rights of freedom of speech and freedom of the press, the Library will attempt to provide the widest range of viewpoints based on the quality, cost, and availability of the materials for purchase.
Materials Selection
Materials are selected by trained staff in an effort to maintain a well–balanced, up–to–date, attractive, and useful collection of materials that will meet the needs of the community as a whole. Factors affecting materials selection include suitability of a material's format for Library purposes, availability of funds, availability of new materials in needed subject areas, replacement of outdated and worn materials (weeding), and space. (See Service Policies, Appendix 3.)
The final responsibility for selection is granted by the Board of Trustees to the Library Director, who considers the reviews in professional journals such as Library Journal, School Library Journal, Booklist, and Publisher's Weekly as well as patron and staff requests via completion of a "Recommendation of Material for Purchase" form, during the selection process (see Service Policies, Appendix 2.)
General Selection Criteria
- Suitability of physical format for library purposes
- Suitability of subject and method of presentation for intended audience
- Relationship to existing collection in the same subject field
- Relevance to present and projected community needs and demands
- Competence and reputation of author and/or publisher
Selection of Fiction (Adult and Juvenile)
Works of fiction are evaluated on the following elements:
- realistic representation of some aspect of life chosen by the author for description
- effectiveness in sustaining the interest of the reader
- structural soundness
- clarity of style
- vitality and consistency of characterization
Although the quality of materials will be judged on the work as a whole not by excerpts, incidents and language in the work should be in keeping with the social, moral, and emotional background of the characters.
Selection of Non–fiction (Adult and Juvenile)
Works of nonfiction are chosen on the basis of the following elements:
- significance of the topic for the intended audience
- sufficient scope for intended audience
- accuracy and effectiveness in the presentation of the information
- current interest or relevance
- acceptable format for the intended audience
Selection of Non–print Materials (Adult and Juvenile)
- Selection of non–print materials is based on artistic and technical quality of the work as well as the value of the content for fulfilling the informational, recreational, and informational needs of our patrons.
- No videos with a rating of NC–17 or X will be purchased for the Library.
Gifts of Materials
- While gifts to the Library are always appreciated, they must meet the above selection standards before they can become a permanent part of the collection. The Library reserves the right to dispense with gifts in any manner that it deems appropriate.
Collection Maintenance
- Collections of the Library are to be fresh, exciting, and attractive. Maintenance of the collection is an ongoing process.
- Materials which are no longer appropriate for the collection because of out–dated content, poor condition, or lack of use will be discarded from the collection according to the accepted professional practices as described in the publication, The CREW Manual.
- Materials discarded because of loss or poor condition will be considered for replacement.
- Discarded materials become surplus property and may be sold by the Friends of the Library (FOL) for fund–raising purposes.
Challenged Materials
- If a patron objects to the Library's ownership of a particular item or items, the Library will be governed by the guidelines set forth in the American Library Association's "Challenged Materials: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights." (See Service Policies, Appendix 1.)
- The challenger will be offered the opportunity to complete a "Patron's Request for Reconsideration of Library Material" Form. (see Service Policies, Appendix 4)
- The request will then be reviewed by the Director and a recommendation will be formulated. The challenger will be notified in writing of the recommendation within 14 days and a copy will be sent to the Board of Trustees.
- If the challenger is not satisfied with the recommendation, written appeal must be made to the Board of Trustees within 30 days. The appeal will be added to the agenda of the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees.
- A final determination will be made in writing to the challenger within 30 days.
- The challenged material will remain in the collection until a determination is made.
Adopted: February 19, 1997
Appendix 1
Challenged Materials: An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights
The American Library Association declares that it is the responsibility of every library to have a clearly defined materials selection policy in written form which reflects the Library Bill of Rights, and which is approved by the appropriate governing authority.
Challenged materials which meet the criteria for selection in the material selection policy of the library should not be removed under any legal or extralegal pressure. The Library Bill of Rights states in article one that "Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation," and in Article 2, that "Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval." Freedom of expression is protected by the Constitution of the United States, but constitutionally protected expression is often separated from unprotected expression only by a dim and uncertain line. The Constitution requires a procedure designed to focus searchingly on challenged expression before it can be suppressed. An adversary hearing is a part of this procedure.
Therefore, any attempt, be it legal or extralegal, to regulate or suppress materials in libraries must be closely scrutinized to the end that protected expression is not abridged.
Adopted June 25, 1971; amended July 1, 1981; amended January 10, 1990, by the ALA Council.
Appendix 2
Hurt/Battelle Memorial Library of West Jefferson
Recommendation of Material for Purchase
Recommended by:_________________________________________
Address____________________________________________Phone___________
Title of material: __________________________________________
Author of material: ________________________________________
Format of material: Book Video Software Cassettes Other_________
ISBN, if known:_________________________
Where did you see/hear about this material?
___________________________________________________________________
Thank You for Your Recommendation!
Appendix 3
Philosophy of Service and Intellectual Freedom
The Hurt Battelle Memorial Library of West Jefferson through its staff and facility serves multiple roles in the community. Primarily, the goal of the Library is to meet the informational, educational, recreational, and cultural needs of as many residents as possible, as consistently as possible. The Library strives to meet this goal by providing materials and information sources, based on availability and the guidelines set forth in the Library's Collection Development Policy, that present a wide range of viewpoints, in a variety of formats, and reading levels. No patron will be denied access by the Library to materials, information sources, or services based on age, race, beliefs, or affiliations.
Appendix 4
Patron's Request for Reconsideration of Library Material
Author:____________________Publisher (if known)______________
Title:___________________________________________________________
Form of material (ie: book, video, recording, etc.) ________________
Request initiated by:_______________________________________
Address:____________________________________________________________
Telephone No._________City: ____________________ State: _____
Whom do you represent?:
_______ Myself
_______ Organization (Please Specify)
__________________________________________
_______ Other (Please Specify)
________________________________________________
- Did you read, see, listen to or otherwise use the material in its entirety?
_______ Yes; _______ No. If not, then which parts?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________ - Have you seen or heard reviews of this material?
- _______Yes; _______ No
- If yes, please name the source. _____________________________________
- What do you think the material is about? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________
- To what in the work do you object? (Please be specific) ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________
- What do you feel might be the result of reading, viewing, or hearing this work? ___________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________
- For what age group would you recommend this work?___________
- Is there anything good about the work?
___________________________________________________________________ - What would you like your library to do about this material?
___________________________________________________________________ - In its place, what work would you recommend that would
convey as valuable a picture and perspective of the subjected
treated?
___________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________
Your Signature _____________________________ Date _________
The Library appreciates your interest. Your comments will be forwarded to the Director, who will respond to you by letter.
