2.6.1 Standards of Selection for Library Materials

          The purpose of the public library is to provide support for the educational, informational, and recreational needs of the community. To enable citizens to form their own opinions, the library attempts to provide materials representing all points of view.

          The responsibility for book selection of library materials rests with the Library Director and department heads charged by the Director to assist in materials selection. Accountability to the Board and the public for the entire collection rests with the Library Director.

Criteria

In order to maintain the best possible collection in content and usefulness, the following criteria for adding and withdrawing materials will be considered:

  1. Need in specific subject area of the collection
  2. Usefulness of the subject matter and scope of the book
  3. Quality of content and expression
    1. Factual accuracy
    2. Timeliness
  4. Author’s qualifications
    1. Reliability
    2. Sincerity of purpose
  5. Publisher
  6. Copyright date
  7. Format
    1. Attractive and durable binding
    2. Quality paper
    3. Clear print

Selection Aids

Because the library director cannot examine every book before it is purchased and cannot be an expert in every field, a number of selection aids may be used. They may include, but not be limited to:

  1. Standard Catalog for Public Libraries
  2. Other Wilson Company lists
  3. Library Journal
  4. Publisher’s Weekly
  5. Booklist
  6. Specialists
  7. Reader’s advisory
  8. Communications and electronic media
  9. Other standard book reviewing media

Scope Of Selection

          The library will provide any materials that help to meet its mission statement and objectives. Materials may include, but are not limited to: books, periodicals, pamphlets, newspapers, videocassettes, DVDs, maps, recordings, books-on-tape, computer software and CD ROMs, and other materials. 

          Materials acquired will meet standards of quality in content, expression, and format.

Selection of materials may be limited by the following factors:

  1. The need for additional material in the collection
  2. The physical limitations of the facility
  3. The suitability of the format of the material
  4. Budgetary considerations
  5. Availability of special materials in other area library collections

The library takes into consideration requests from the general public, but does not necessarily add a book because of pressure or public demand. The commercial popularity of a particular title is considered criteria for library purpose.

The library will keep itself informed of other materials in the area to avoid unnecessary duplication.

The library will not attempt to furnish materials needed for formal courses of study offered by elementary and secondary schools and by institutions of higher learning. The public library has materials for self-study, but is not primarily designed to furnish reading required for academic study.

Standards For Various Types Of Materials

  1. Fiction. In selection fiction, the library recognized its obligation as the public institution serving the needs of a large group of people with varied backgrounds, reading tastes, interests, and purposes. The novel is recognized as a form of literature that recreates the life and culture of the past and portrays the problems of the present day. Novels that present an honest picture of life may be added to the collection despite frankness in description if the quality of the book as a whole merits purchase. Realistic novels are to be judged on the basis of the work as a whole and not on excerpts which may be taken out of context.
  2. Non-Fiction. The library acquires within its financial limitations the best material in all fields of knowledge for the development of an informed citizenry, for the working citizen, for the intellectually curious, and for the purposeful reader of all ages. The collection includes the relatively ephemeral book giving the backgrounds for current affairs, which is quickly outdated, but the emphasis is on material that is of permanent value.
  3. Controversial Material. The library is aware of its obligation to protect the expression of ideas that represent minority opinion or unpopular views and accepts as its responsibility the presentation of all sides of controversial issues as those become available. Selection of controversial materials is based on some assurance that the author’s presentation is constructive and honest rather than negative and scurrilous.
  4. Reference Materials. Acquisitions for the reference department are geared to time-tested needs as determined by informational requests and research problems. Space shortage necessitates a rigid selectivity.
  5. Audiovisual Materials. The library seeks audiovisual materials with education as well as recreational appeal and focuses on those topics that might be difficult to find in other outlets. 

[res. 34-97, 5/12/1997]