I.Selection of Materials
The for selection for the Library's collection is to make available books and other materials that will meet the educational, informational, cultural, and recreational interests and needs of the people of the Town & Country Public Library District. To fulfill this purpose, the library endeavors to maintain a collection of representative materials of permanent value and/or of current interest. Tools used for selection include professional journals, trade journals, publishers’ catalogs, lists of recommended titles, and requests from patrons. Criteria for selection will include, but are not limited to the following:
Patron demand
Significance and value to the existing collection
Currency or timeliness
Qualifications of author or producer
Suitability of subject and style for intended audience
Staff request
Technical quality of materials
II.Collection Maintenance
The Library cannot, because of space limits, become a library of historical record. The continuous review of library materials is necessary as a means of maintaining an active library collection of current interest to its users. Items may be withdrawn due to:
Low usage/checkouts
Multiple copies no longer needed
Outdated or inaccurate information
Physical condition
Space limitations
Availability of similar information in online resources
III.Donations
The library happily accepts donations of materials for consideration for the Library's collection or for the ongoing Friends of the Library book nook. These donations:
Must be given unconditionally and will not be returned•Will become property of the library and the staff will determine what will be added to thelibrary collection•May be discarded, recycled, or sold if not deemed suitable for the collection at the solediscretion of the library
Requests for acknowledgement must be made at the time of donation.
IV.Bill of Rights and Collection Development
The library subscribes to the American Library Association Bill of Rights and the AmericanLibrary Association Freedom to Read. The library shall protect the intellectual freedom of the library user and shall prevent censorship of its library materials, ensuring items are not withdrawn from its library collection merely because individuals or groups object tothe material.
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomreadstatement
V.Patron Responsibility
Patrons are responsible for recognizing that the library collects widely diverse materials. All are welcome to find materials that interest them while allowing others the same freedom and liberty. As a public library practices intellectual freedom, one viewpoint or ideology may not overrule or exclude another. The library provides unrestricted access to all ages as part of the public library’smission of access to information. Minors are granted the Freedom to Read. The library does notfunction in loco parentis; the direct parent or caregiver is responsible for the choices of their own children. Parents are responsible for allowing access to a library card and communicating with their children about what is appropriate for their family. Patrons are free to reject titles of which they do not approve of for themselves and their children but may not restrict the freedom of others to choose what to read, hear, or view.
VI.Objections to Library Materials
If an individual or group of individuals has objections to books or other library materials, they may submit these concerns to the Library Director in writing. The individual must hold a valid library card from the Town & Country Public Library District.