A. Purpose
The purpose of this policy is to guide the staff in the selection of materials in order to fulfill the mission of the library. It will be used as an aid in selection, weeding and evaluating the collection and as a rationale for budget allocations.
B. Goals of Collection Management and Development Program
The Library’s primary responsibility is to assist patrons in their pursuit of information, education, and entertainment, and to inspire and stimulate children’s interest in and appreciation of learning and reading. It selects materials in a variety of formats to satisfy the expressed and anticipated interests, tastes, needs and reading abilities of the diverse community it serves. Library materials should be of sound factual authority and may represent all points of view concerning the problems and issues of our times.
C. Patron Responsibility
The responsibility for the reading, listening and viewing of library materials by children rests with the parents and legal guardians of the child. Library material selection will not be determined by the possibility that controversial items may come into the possession of children.
D. Position on Intellectual Freedom and Censorship
The Library Bill of Rights (http://www.ala.org/ala/issuesadvocacy/intfreedom/librarybill/index.cfm]), The Freedom to Read (http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/statementspols/ftrstatement/…), and The Freedom to View (http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/rts/vrt/professionalresources/vrtresources/…), as promulgated by the American Library Association (ALA), have been endorsed by the Fitzwilliam Town Library Board of Trustees and are integral parts of this policy. No library material shall be excluded solely because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
E. Responsibility for Selection
The responsibility and authority for selection of all print and non-print material rests ultimately with the Library Director. Recommendations from the public are welcomed and given full consideration for acquisition. Materials for individuals of varying ages, educational levels and interest should be acquired.
F. Selection Criteria
1.The criteria considered in the selection of library materials include:
a. existing library holdings;
b. suitability of the material to the community;
c. individual merit of each item;
d. budget; and
e. popular appeal/demand.
2. Materials are purchased for a variety of age groups as a reflection of the community and in a variety of formats. The selection of material does not constitute an endorsement of its content. The library recognizes that many materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Selection decisions are not made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval but solely on the merits of the work in relation to building the collection and serving the interests of patrons.
3. Reviews are important, but not essential to a material’s selection. Booklist, Library Journal, The New York Times Book Review and Amazon are some, but not all, of the sources from which to select materials.
4. The lack of a review or an unfavorable review shall not be the sole reason for rejecting material. The Library Director will consider demand, the need to balance the library collection in a specific subject area, materials discussed in public media and requests made by patrons.
5. Material is judged on the basis of the work as a whole, not by a part taken out of context.
6. Due to budget and space restrictions, the library cannot purchase all materials that are requested. Inter-library loan may be used to obtain materials from other libraries for the use of our patrons.
7. Titles which are obviously and exclusively written for pornographic or sensational purposes will not be selected. Objectionable language and vivid descriptions of sex and violence when dealt with appropriately within the context of a book will not be criteria for rejecting the book.
G. Weeding of the Library Collection
Weeding is an essential element of collection development that ensures the library’s materials are useful and accessible. Every library’s collection may change over time to reflect changes in the community and in the library’s goals. Weeding is a periodic or continual evaluation of resources intended to remove items that are no longer useful to the collection.
H. Gifts
The Fitzwilliam Town Library welcomes gifts of materials with the understanding that they will be evaluated using the same criteria as those applied to purchased materials. If the gifts are not added to the collection, the library reserves the right to dispose of them as it sees fit, usually to add to the Friends of the Library Book Sale.
I. Challenged materials and Intellectual Freedom
Should a community member object to a particular resource owned or presented by the Fitzwilliam Town Library the challenger shall be offered the opportunity to fill out a “Request for Reconsideration of a Library Resource”. If the petitioner wishes to pursue a formal request, the Director will arrange for the request to be added to the agenda at the next regularly scheduled Board of Trustees meeting. The Board will consider the request and the petitioner is free to attend the Board meeting which is open to the public. The Board of Trustees will issue a written decision to the challenger and has the final say on any request to remove or add materials to the collection.
Adopted by the Board of Trustees December 2, 2013
Reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees September 13, 2021
Reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees September 12, 2022
Revised and approved by the Board of Trustees October 2, 2023
REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF A LIBRARY RESOURCE
The Library Board of Trustees has delegated the responsibility for selection and evaluation of library resources to the Library Director and has established reconsideration procedures to address concerns about those resources. Completion of this form is the first step in those procedures. If you wish to request reconsideration of a library resource, please return the completed form to Kate Thomas, Library Director, Fitzwilliam Town Library, 11 Templeton Tpk. Fitzwilliam, NH 03447.
Name _________________________________ Date ____________________
Address _______________________________ City _____________________
State ________ Zip ____________ Phone ____________________________
Do you represent yourself? _____ Organization? ________________________
1. Resource on which you are commenting:
_____ Book _____ Textbook _____ Video/DVD _____Display/Exhibit _____ Magazine _____Library Program _____Audio Book/Music CD _____ Newspaper _____ Electronic Information/Network (please specify):_____ Other ______________________________________________________ Title ____________________________________________________________ Author/Producer __________________________________________________
2.What brought this resource to your attention?
3. Have you examined the entire resource?
4.What concerns you about the resource? (use other side of sheet or additional pages if necessary) Please be specific and cite pages or sections.
5. Are there resources you suggest to provide additional information and/or other viewpoints on this topic?
6. What do you think might result from exposure to this resource?
7. Is there anything good about this resource?
8. Did you read, watch or listen to the entire work? What parts, if not the entire work?
9. For what age group do you recommend this resource?
10.Are you aware of critical judgment of this resource? If yes, please summarize such judgments.
11. What do you believe is the theme or purpose of this resource?
12. What would you like the library to do about this resource?
_____ Withdraw it from the library collection. _____ Restrict its use. To whom? _________________________ _____ Reevaluate for collection development
_____ Other. Please be specific __________________________
Signature of complainant ________________________________