Philosophy and Scope
Collection
development at the Amherst Town Library is based on principles of intellectual
freedom and equal access for all. The library maintains a collection that
represents a broad spectrum of opinion and subject matter, in diverse formats,
suitable to a variety of learning and recreational interests. The library
builds a collection for the general public that is responsive to changing
community interests and needs.
Responsibility for Collection Development
The Board of
Library Trustees adopts a Collection Development Policy which they authorize
the Library Director to administer. The Director allocates the materials budget
and designates staff to develop selection and acquisition procedures and to
make purchasing decisions subject to approval.
Materials Selection Process/ Criteria/
Standards
Library staff use
a variety of tools to aid in awareness and selection of materials including
professional review journals, popular media, electronic interest groups/
listservs/ feeds, publishers’ catalogs, patron and staff recommendations.
The lack of a
review or a favorable/ unfavorable review shall not be the sole reason for
rejecting or adding a title.
Staff will
objectively evaluate based on the entire work, not just individual parts and
the work’s overall contribution to the collection.
Many selection
criteria will be considered, carrying different weights in different
circumstances. Budget and space availability, as well as availability of the
material through interlibrary loan will also shape the selection process. All
materials, whether purchased or donated, will be evaluated critically based on
some combination of :
Additional
criteria that will be considered when selecting materials in electronic formats
include
Works which are
obviously and exclusively created for pornographic or sensational purposes will
not be selected. Objectionable language and vivid descriptions of sex and
violence when dealt with realistically within the context of a work will not be
criteria for rejecting the title.
The
responsibility for a child’s choice in reading materials belongs with the
parents and legal guardians of the child. Collection selection will not be
determined by the possibility that controversial works may come into the
possession of children.
Gifts
The library
welcomes gifts of materials, but reserves the right to evaluate them in
accordance with the criteria applied to purchased materials. Gifts may be refused
if they do not meet the objectives of this policy or require special housing.
The library will not accept conditions relating to the gift and reserves the
right to dispose of the gift, at its discretion, when it no longer fits the
needs or scope of the collection. The library does not provide evaluations for
tax purposes nor does it make the arrangements for such an evaluation.
De-selection
In order to
maintain a collection that is current, reliable, in good repair, easy to use,
and appealing, materials are withdrawn on a continuing basis. Collections
should change over time to reflect changes in the community and the library’s
goals. Materials will be de-selected when they are judged to be dated,
inaccurate, seldom used, in poor condition, or otherwise not in compliance with
the criteria for selection.
Controversial Materials and Intellectual
Freedom
The Amherst Town
Library does not promote particular beliefs or views, but strives to provide free
access to a well-balanced collection of topics, suitable to the diverse members
of the community.
Language,
situations or subjects that may be offensive to some community members do not
disqualify materials which, in their entirety, are judged to be of value.
The library
houses materials in the areas to which they seem most suitable, but does not
restrict their use by ages or other criteria.
The library does
not rely on private advisory codes or rating services in the selection of
materials, but also does not remove them if they are integral to the packaging
of the work.
In the interest
of protecting the individual’s right to have access to materials, the library
supports:
Should a
community member object to a particular item owned by the Amherst Town Library,
the patron will be offered the opportunity to fill out a “Citizen’s Request for Reconsideration of a
Library Resource”. The request shall be reviewed by three library staff members
and/or trustees including the Library Director. The Library Director will issue
a written decision to the challenger that may be appealed to the Library Board
of Trustees. In the event of an appeal, the decision of the Library Board of
Trustees is final. The challenged materials will remain in the collection while
the material is being reviewed.
Internet
Attachments:
Citizen’s
Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials