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Ingalls Memorial Library
Collection Development Policy
PURPOSE
The Ingalls Memorial Library provides materials and resources that meet the interest of the community and support lifelong learning. This policy is established by the Library Board of Trustees to inform the public of the principles upon which the library makes decisions regarding the maintenance and use of the collection.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR SELECTION OF MATERIALS
The ultimate responsibility for the selection of library materials rests with the Library Director who operates within the framework of the policies determined by Library Board of Trustees. The Library Director may delegate the selection of Children’s and Teen materials to the Youth Services Librarian. The general public and all staff members are welcome to recommend materials for selection.
Patron demand is a powerful influence on Library collection decisions. Circulation and patron purchase requests are closely monitored. The Ingalls Memorial Library should not attempt to collect materials at a comprehensive or research level for any subject other than local issues. A broad range of materials should both serve and await the needs of library patrons.
The Library recognizes that materials selected for the collection may be controversial and that any given item may offend any individual. Selections will be made, not on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the merits of the work in relation to building the collection, and to serving the needs of library users in accordance with the library’s stated goals.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The criteria considered in the selection of library materials include:
Points considered in the selection of materials:
GIFTS
The Ingalls Memorial Library accepts donations of books and other materials. The Library retains the authority to accept or reject gifts with the understanding that the same standards of selection are applied to gifts and donations as to materials acquired by purchase. Gifts and donations become the sole property of the library, and Library staff makes all decisions as to the use, housing and final disposition of donations. The Library does not evaluate or appraise gift materials for tax purposes.
See the Library’s Material Donations Policy for additional guidelines.
MAINTENANCE AND WEEDING OF THE COLLECTION
The Library’s Weeding Policy addresses the weeding and disposition of materials no longer relevant to the collection.
CHALLENGED MATERIALS
The Board of Trustees of the Ingalls Memorial Library believes that censorship is purely an individual matter and declares that while anyone is free to reject material of which one does not approve, one cannot exercise this right of censorship to restrict the freedom of others.
The Ingalls Memorial Library selects materials based on the criteria specified within this policy. The Ingalls Memorial Library and its Board of Trustees endorse and support the Library Bill of Rights, and the Freedom to Read Statement. They also subscribe to the principles put forth in the ALA’s Freedom to View Statement. Copies of these items are included in the appendix
Patrons requesting that materials be withdrawn from or relocated within the collection may complete a Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources form which is available from the Director. The challenged material will remain in its current location within the collection while it is being reviewed. The request shall be reviewed by the Library Director and the material will be evaluated based on the complaint. The Library Director will then issue a written decision to the challenger within 30 days. This decision may be appealed to the Library Board of Trustees. The challenger’s appeal will be placed on the agenda of the next regular meeting of the Ingalls Memorial Library Board of Trustees. Decisions of the Library Board are final and are made within 60 days of receipt of the appeal.
Ingalls Memorial Library
Collection Development Policy
PURPOSE
The Ingalls Memorial Library provides materials and resources that meet the interest of the community and support lifelong learning. This policy is established by the Library Board of Trustees to inform the public of the principles upon which the library makes decisions regarding the maintenance and use of the collection.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR SELECTION OF MATERIALS
The ultimate responsibility for the selection of library materials rests with the Library Director who operates within the framework of the policies determined by Library Board of Trustees. The Library Director may delegate the selection of Children’s and Teen materials to the Youth Services Librarian. The general public and all staff members are welcome to recommend materials for selection.
Patron demand is a powerful influence on Library collection decisions. Circulation and patron purchase requests are closely monitored. The Ingalls Memorial Library should not attempt to collect materials at a comprehensive or research level for any subject other than local issues. A broad range of materials should both serve and await the needs of library patrons.
The Library recognizes that materials selected for the collection may be controversial and that any given item may offend any individual. Selections will be made, not on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the merits of the work in relation to building the collection, and to serving the needs of library users in accordance with the library’s stated goals.
SELECTION CRITERIA
The criteria considered in the selection of library materials include:
- Existing library holdings
- Patron demand
- Community interest and significance
- Individual merit as determined by documentation, awards, professional reviews and/or subject area experts
- Budget
- Quality of the physical format
- Availability of the material or information elsewhere
Points considered in the selection of materials:
- Objectionable language and vivid description of sex and violence when dealt with realistically within the context of the book will not be criteria for rejecting the book.
- The responsibility for children’s choices in reading material rests with the parents and legal guardians. Selection of library material will not be limited by the possibility that it may come into possession of minors.
- Material is judged on the basis of the work as a whole, not by a part taken out of context.
- The lack of a review or an unfavorable review shall not be the sole reason for rejecting a title which is in demand. Consideration is, therefore, given to requests of library patrons and books discussed on public media.
- Due to limited budget and space, the Library cannot purchase all materials that are requested. Interlibrary loan may be used to obtain materials from other libraries in New Hampshire for the use of our patrons when a request is outside the scope of our collection.
GIFTS
The Ingalls Memorial Library accepts donations of books and other materials. The Library retains the authority to accept or reject gifts with the understanding that the same standards of selection are applied to gifts and donations as to materials acquired by purchase. Gifts and donations become the sole property of the library, and Library staff makes all decisions as to the use, housing and final disposition of donations. The Library does not evaluate or appraise gift materials for tax purposes.
See the Library’s Material Donations Policy for additional guidelines.
MAINTENANCE AND WEEDING OF THE COLLECTION
The Library’s Weeding Policy addresses the weeding and disposition of materials no longer relevant to the collection.
CHALLENGED MATERIALS
The Board of Trustees of the Ingalls Memorial Library believes that censorship is purely an individual matter and declares that while anyone is free to reject material of which one does not approve, one cannot exercise this right of censorship to restrict the freedom of others.
The Ingalls Memorial Library selects materials based on the criteria specified within this policy. The Ingalls Memorial Library and its Board of Trustees endorse and support the Library Bill of Rights, and the Freedom to Read Statement. They also subscribe to the principles put forth in the ALA’s Freedom to View Statement. Copies of these items are included in the appendix
Patrons requesting that materials be withdrawn from or relocated within the collection may complete a Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources form which is available from the Director. The challenged material will remain in its current location within the collection while it is being reviewed. The request shall be reviewed by the Library Director and the material will be evaluated based on the complaint. The Library Director will then issue a written decision to the challenger within 30 days. This decision may be appealed to the Library Board of Trustees. The challenger’s appeal will be placed on the agenda of the next regular meeting of the Ingalls Memorial Library Board of Trustees. Decisions of the Library Board are final and are made within 60 days of receipt of the appeal.
