Materials Selection/CoIIection Development Policy
Objectives
The purpose of the Barrett Memorial Library is to provide all individuals in the community with carefully selected, diverse books and other materials to aid the individual in the pursuit of education, information, research, pleasure, 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. This policy is used by the library staff for the selection of materials and serves to acquaint the general public with the principles of selection.
The Library Bill of Rights (www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/) and The Freedom to Read Statement (https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomreadstatement) have been endorsed by the Barrett Memorial Library Board of Trustees and are integral parts of this policy. Further, the library adheres to all relevant sections of Chapter 43 of the Wisconsin State Statutes.
Responsibility for Selection
The ultimate responsibility for selection and curation of library materials rests with the library director who operates within the framework of this and other relevant policies adopted by the Barrett Memorial Library Board of Trustees.
Criteria for Selection
The main points considered in the selection of materials are:
§ individual merit of each item, based on authoritative, trusted sources
§ popular appeal/demand
§ existing library holdings
§ providing information and enlightenment
§ budget
Consideration will be given to requests from library patrons and to books discussed in professional book reviews and public media. The lack of a review or an unfavorable review shall not be the sole reason for rejecting materials. Materials are judged on the basis of the work as a whole, not on a part taken out of context.
The Barrett Memorial Library builds its collections as follows:
§ Easy: These are pictures books intended primarily for reading to children and are suitable for all ages.
§ Easy Readers: These books are judged by publishers on their reading level. They are pre-chapter books aimed at beginning readers.
§ Juvenile Fiction: This area includes early chapter books and fiction suitable for children through sixth grade.
§ Juvenile Nonfiction: This area includes easy readers and is aimed at K-5th grade.
§ Young Adult and Teen Fiction/Non-Fiction: The Teen Collection is aimed primarily at children in 6th — 9th grade. The YA collection is aimed at 10th-12th grade.
§ Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction: These books are recommended for adults.
Interlibrary Loan
Because of limited budget and space, the library cannot provide all materials that are requested. Therefore, interlibrary loan is used to obtain from other libraries those materials that are not in this library's collection.
The Barrett Memorial Library lends its materials to other libraries through the interlibrary loan network.
Gifts and Donations
The library accepts gifts of books and other materials on the same basis as any other acquisition. If they are not added to the collection because of duplication, condition, or dated information the director may dispose of them as they see fit. Memorial gifts of materials (or money for materials) are also accepted. The library provides bookplates. Specific memorial books may be purchased for the library on request of a patron if the request meets the criteria established by this policy.
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.
Weeding
An up-to-date, attractive, relevant and useful collection is maintained through a continual withdrawal and replacement process. Replacement of worn volumes is dependent upon current demand, usefulness, more recent acquisitions, availability of newer editions, and other reasons. This ongoing process of weeding is the responsibility of the library director and is authorized by the Board of Trustees.
Request for Consideration of Library Materials
The library accepts requests from patrons for the purchase of new library materials. A “Purchase Recommendation Form” is available both in the library and online.
Parents or legal guardians have the right to guide the reading, viewing and listening of their children and are expected to give the same right to other parents/guardians.
Acquisition of library materials will not be restricted by the possibility that materials may come into the possession of children. However, a person must be 18 years of age to check out films rated “R.” It is appropriate to verify age identification by legal ID or consultation with parent/guardian.
Any resident who wishes to request that a specific item be withdrawn from or restricted within the collection may complete and sign the “Statement of Concern about Library Materials” form. The completed form will be reviewed by the Library Director. A questioned item will be considered in its entirety and will remain in circulation during the reconsideration process. Once a decision has been made regarding the retention or removal of the material, a written response explaining the decision, and the reasons for it, will be sent to the person who submitted the Statement of Concern. If the patron is dissatisfied with the resolution, they may appeal to the Library Board which will make the final determination based on relevant policies and statutes.
Reviewed January 2022. Revised and Approved May 2022. Revised and Approved December 2022.