Materials Selection Policy - Arrowhead Library System
I. Introduction
Recognizing the advisability of a well-defined policy outlining the Arrowhead Library System's selection of books and other library materials, the Governing Board herewith sets forth its official Materials Selection Policy which shall guide and direct the selection and purchase of all library materials which are made available to the System's patrons through member libraries, the Bookmobile, Mail-A-Book, book stations, and any other depository which receives materials from the Arrowhead Library System. "Materials" shall include, but not be limited to, all print and non-print media: books, periodicals, films, audio cassettes, video cassettes, phono disks, compact disks, laser discs, computer programs and graphic arts.
II. Mission of the Arrowhead Library System
The purpose of this selection policy is to implement the System's stated mission. The Arrowhead Library System has a primary and a secondary mission:
A. "to extend and improve access to information and materials which promote education, intellectual stimulation, and pleasure to the citizens of the area.
B. " to promote and assist cooperation among libraries and to assist member libraries in their efforts to provide [high] quality library service on a local level, including further service to rural residents." (Mission Statement: ALS Long Range Plan, 1992-1997}.
III. Responsibility for Selection of Material
The Governing Board vests responsibility for selection of library materials in the Director who may delegate authority to other members of the professional staff. Selections made within the guidelines of this policy shall be considered Board selections, and the Board shall assume full legal responsibility for such selections.
IV. General Principles
A. The system shall provide materials in all subject areas and in varied formats, print and non-print. Emphasis shall be placed upon those areas of demonstrated local and regional interest, but not to the exclusion of materials on any subject.
B. Among specific criteria to be considered are:
1. Reputation of the author
2. Reputation publisher or producer
3. Significance of the subject to the region
4. Evaluations of reviews and inclusion in standard bibliographies
5. Format
C. As a general practice, ALS shall seek out works of known quality. However, we shall also identify and acquire the works of emerging and lesser-known writers and cretivve persons; novelists, poets, short-story writers, especially in the case of local regional artists.
D. In selecting materials, ALS staff members shall be guided by, but not restricted to, a number of standard bibliographies and reviewing aids:
1. Booklist
2. Library Journal
3. Publisher's Weekly
4. School Library Journal
5. Wilson Library Bulletin
6. Area Newspapers and Magazines, e.g. Minnesota Reviews
7. Children's Catalog
8. Public Library Catalog
9. Specialized Bibliographies
10. Video Librarian
11. Movies on TV and Video Cassette
12. Kirkus Reviews
13. Locus
14. SF Chronicle
15. VOYA
16. Appraisal
17. RQ
18. NY Times Book Reviews
19. Hornbook
20. Video Rating Guide for Libraries
21. CD Review
V. Controversial Materials
In seeking to accomplish its stated mission through this policy, the Arrowhead Library System subscribes to the following paragraphs of 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 of 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.
Recognizing that we live in a varied and multi-cultural society
and in a complex and fast moving age, the Arrowhead Library System
selects its materials from a broad spectrum of subjects, interests,
points of view, and tastes. Some selections may be unpopular with
some library patrons, but ALS accepts the responsibility set forth
in the Library Bill of Rights and expanded upon by the Freedom
to Read Statement, Article 2:
"Publishers, librarians and booksellers do not need to endorse every idea or presentation contained in the books they make available. It would conflict with the public interest for them to establish their own political, moral or aesthetic views as standard for determining what books should be published or circulated."
Question and debate are healthy and desirable to a free society, therefore ALS will vigorously resist censorious pressure and other attempts to force removal of materials from its collections or those of member libraries and book stations. Patrons objecting to materials in ALS collections will be invited to state their concerns in writing and the complaint will be handled in accordance with Procedures for Handling Patron Complaints about Library Materials. (VIII)
VI. Children's Materials
ALS shall apply the same principals and criteria to the selection of children's materials as materials selected for adults. ALS shall strive to acquire books and other media of high quality for children, but "librarians and governing bodies cannot assume the role of parents or the functions of parental authority in the private relationship between parent and child." ALS will not act to restrict the reading, listening or viewing of any piece of material acquired within the guidelines of this policy. This position, set forth in two American Library Association statements, "Free Access to Libraries for Minors" and "Restricted Access to Library materials," is that parents - and only parents - have the right and responsibility to restrict children - and only their children - to library resources.
VII. Procedures
A. Gifts and donations. The Governing Board authorizes the acceptance of unconditional gifts and donations to the System. Gifts with conditions or special stipulations can only be accepted with the approval of the Governing Board. ALS staff shall apply the same standards to gift materials as to those acquired by purchase.
B. Textbooks and curricular materials. Instructional materials maybe acquired only if they are of interest to the general public. ALS will not acquire texts and curricular materials as such.
C. Special Collections. In striving to serve various segments of its Special Audience clientele, ALS shall provide and maintain collections on a variety of topics in several formats which are available to area residents through member libraries, the Bookmobile, and Mail-A-Book.
ALS recognizes that there is a special interest in material on local, county and state history. A broad view will be taken of works by and about Minnesota authors as well as general works relating to the state of Minnesota. However, the System is under no obligation to purchase all materials about Minnesota or materials by or about Minnesotans.
D. Collection maintenance and weeding. ALS Staff shall maintain a program of regular review and weeding of its collections. In accordance with Public Library Goals for Minnesota (1988), an average of 5% of the collections should be withdrawn annually.
VIII. Procedures for Dealing with Challenged Materials
A patron expressing concern over ALS materials will be invited to discuss his or her concern with the Director or other administrative staff, and if he or she wishes to put the complaint in writing on the Statement of Concern about Library Resources. (VII) ALS Director and staff will then review the request and the facts in accordance with internal written procedures, and will notify the complainant of the decision. If the complainant is not satisfied with the administrative decision, he or she may request to appear before the Governing Board for reconsideration. The Governing Board shall consider all the relevant facts and shall notify the complainant in writing of its decision. The decision of the Governing Board shall be final.
IX. Conclusion
A. The Arrowhead Library System hereby adopts the Library Bill of Rights, The Freedom to Read Statement, Free Access to Libraries for Minors, Freedom to View, Restricted Access to Library Materials, Access for Children and Young People to Videotapes and Other Non-print Formats, Statements of Concern About Library Resources, and Procedures for Handling Patron Complaints About Library Materials, Appendices I, II, III, IV, V, VI, VII, and VIII as part of its selection policy.
B. The Governing Board shall periodically review and update this policy.
Original version adopted January 4, 1968.
Revised version adopted by Arrowhead
Library System Governing Board
March 7, 1974 and January 9, 1986 and March 11, 1993
Adopted by the Duluth Public Library Board, April 21, 1993.
Appendices
Library
Bill of Rights
Freedom
to Read Statement
Free
Access to Libraries for Minors
Freedom
to View Statement
Restricted
Access to Library Materials
Access
for Children and Young People to Nonprint Materials
Statement of Concern about Library Resources
Procedures for Handling Patron Complaints
about Library Materials
