VII. MATERIALS SELECTION/COLLECTION POLICY

A. OBJECTIVES

The purpose of the Black Earth Public Library is to provide all individuals in the community with carefully selected books and other materials to aid the individual in the pursuit of education, information, research, and the creative use of leisure time.

Because of the volume of publishing, as well as the limitations of budget and space, the Library must have a selection policy with which to meet community interests and needs. The materials selection/collection policy is used by the Library staff in the selection of materials, as well as acquaint the general public with the principles of selection.

The Library Bill of Rights and The Freedom to Read Statement have been endorsed by the Black Earth Public Library Board of Trustees and are integral parts of this policy.

B. RESPONSIBILITY FOR SELECTION

The ultimate responsibility for selection of Library materials rests with the Library director who operates within the framework of the policies determined by the Black Earth Public Library Board of Trustees. This responsibility may be shared with other members of the Library staff, however, because the Director must be available to answer to the Library Board of Trustees and the general public for actual selections made, the Director has the authority to reject or select any item.

C. CRITERIA FOR SELECTION OF ALL MATERIALS

1. Individual merit of item
2. Popular appeal and/or patron demand
3. Suitability of material for the clientele
4. Existing Library holdings
5. Available budget

D. INTERLIBRARY LOAN

Because of limited budget and space, the Library cannot provide all materials that am requested. Therefore, interlibrary loan is used to obtain from other libraries those materials that are beyond the scope of this Library's collection.

In return for utilizing interlibrary loan to satisfy the needs of our patrons, the Black Earth Public Library agrees to lend its materials to other libraries through the same interlibrary loan network, and to make an effort to have its current holdings listed in a tool that is accessible by other libraries throughout the state.

In order to remain responsive to public needs in the print, audio visual and technical fields, the Library will regularly evaluate its collection policies in light of new technological developments.

E. GIFTS AND DONATIONS

The Library accepts gifts and donations of books and other materials with the understanding that they will be added to the collection only if appropriate and needed. If they are not needed because of duplication, condition, or dated information the Director can dispose of them as he/she sees fit. The same criteria of selection which are applied to purchased materials are applied to gifts. By law, the Library is not allowed to appraise the value of donated materials, though it can provide an acknowledgment of receipt of the items if requested by the donor. The Black Earth Public Library encourages and appreciates gifts and donations.

Monetary gifts donated for specific purposes shall be accepted for disposition as nearly in accordance with the donor's wishes as Library policy permits. Gifts, bequests and endowments without specifically designated uses may be devoted to buildings, equipment, materials or operating expenses as determined by the Library Board of Trustees.

F. WEEDING OF MATERIALS FROM THE COLLECTION

An update, attractive and useful collection is maintained through a continual withdrawal and replacement process. Replacement of worn volumes is dependent upon current demand, usefulness, mom recent acquisitions, and availability of newer editions. This ongoing process of weeding is the responsibility of the Library Director and is authorized by the Board of Trustees.

Disposal of materials weeded from the collection is accomplished in accordance with the following priorities at the discretion of the director.

1) Materials can be offered to another Library with responsibility for the transfer assumed by the receiving Library.
2) Materials can be made available for Library book sales.
3) Materials may be destroyed or thrown away.

G. CHALLENGED MATERIALS

Although materials are carefully selected, there may arise differences of opinion regarding suitable materials. Patrons requesting that materials be withdrawn from or restricted within the collection may complete a "Statement of Concern About Library Resources" form which is available in the Library. The inquiry shall be placed on the agenda of the next regular meeting of the Black Earth Public Library Board of Trustees.

Adopted by the Black Earth Library Board
June 22, 1999