Martin County Library System
Materials
Selection Policy
GOALS AND
OBJECTIVES
The purpose of the Martin
County Library System Materials Selection Policy is to guide the Library staff
and to inform the Board and the public about the principles upon which selection
is based.
The primary goal of
materials selection at the Martin County Library System is to provide library
materials for the educational, recreational, and informational needs of the
people in its service area. As a member of a regional library system, a
secondary goal is the acquisition of materials that may be shared with other
libraries. The primary objective of materials selection is to collect materials
of current interest and significance and those of permanent
value.
All print and non-print
media are potential library materials. These include, but are not limited to:
books, periodicals, pamphlets, audio cassettes and discs, video cassettes and
discs, computer software including CD Rom discs, on-line computer data and
services, and works by visual artists.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR SELECTION
OF MATERIAL
The Library Board vests
authority for selection of library materials in the Director who may delegate
authority to other members of the staff. Selections made within the guidelines
of this policy shall be considered Board selections.
BASIC PRINCIPLES OF
MATERIALS SELECTION
The following general
criteria are used when selecting library material:
1.
Basic reviewing
sources, standard selection tools, user demand, and staff suggestions form the
primary basis for selection decisions. Suggestions from library users are
encouraged, and serious consideration is given such recommendations insofar as
they conform to the guidelines of this materials selection policy. (A list of
standard selection tools and a sample selection recommendation form is included
in Appendix A and B.)
2.
Although the demands of
current users of the library receive first attention, there is also a provision
for potential users in the selection of materials. In some cases majority demand
must be sacrificed in order that a larger variety of tastes may be
satisfied.
3.
The selection of
materials is guided by standards of factual accuracy, significance,
responsibility of opinion, and creative skill. The quality of materials
purchased in a particular subject area or genre depends upon the demand for the
materials and their importance to the overall collection. The best materials
available are sought in each area.
4.
Materials are selected
that reflect the diversity of opinion available in today’s society to enable
each library user to reach his or her own conclusions. Materials that challenge
and stimulate the user as well as those which provide the comfort of the
familiar are selected. Controversial items are included in the
collection.
5.
Those involved in
selecting materials need to be aware that selection can sometimes be a tool of
censorship and that objectivity requires being aware of one’s biases. Also, it
should be noted that the pressures of conformity are always present in selecting
controversial materials, so that a positive attitude is essential. Materials
should be selected because they fill a need, not because they do not
offend.
6.
Materials are selected
for all ages, and for various education and comprehension
levels.
7.
Careful consideration
is required in selecting materials such as textbooks or other materials directly
related to school curricula. The question of how much support will be offered
for schools from public library collections needs to be addressed, in addition
to weighing the value of these materials for non-school
users.
8.
Materials for the
special needs of groups organized for the pursuit and preservation of
specialized subject matter (e.g., genealogy, local history) are purchased in
proportion to their value for all library users.
9.
Library materials will
be replaced or discarded using standards of continuing usefulness and
obsolescence. Badly worn materials that are no longer in demand or of continuing
importance will be discarded without replacement. A program of regular review
and weeding of the collection will be maintained.
NON-PRINT
MATERIALS
The Martin County Library
System acquires non-print items for a variety of purposes, including group
instruction as well as family and individual entertainment. Audio and video
discs and cassettes, computer software, visual representations, and multi-media
kits are selected according to the general principles outlined in this policy.
Popular productions of music and drama in audio and video format are selected
according to standards that may also apply to popular print materials. Video
movies have much in common with popular novels. Compact disc and cassette
recordings of music, both classical and popular, have as much place in the
public library collection as the books that describe their performance and their
creators. The quantity of such non-print materials needed to meet demand may
exceed what a tax-supported budget will allow. Our selection goal is a
collection offering samplings of the currently popular and representative
selections of those things of enduring quality and continuing
demand.
The Motion Picture
Association of American (MPAA) ratings often applied to feature films on video
and the more recent “parental advisories” attached to some music items are
considered to be informational only. This information lacks any legal status.
MCLS neither adds rating information to non-print packaging or annotations nor
specifically removes it where it already exists. Such ratings and advisories are
not considered as criteria in making selection decisions.
GIFTS AND
DONATIONS
The Library Board authorizes
the acceptance by staff of unconditional gifts and donations. Gifts with
conditions or special stipulations require approval by the Board following a
recommendation from the Director.
The same standards for
selection apply to gift materials as to regular acquisitions. Gifts that do not
meet these standards may be disposed of according to current
practices.
AGE CONSIDERATIONS IN THE
SELECTION AND USE OF LIBRARY MATERIALS
The Martin County Library
System selects material for people of all ages. In doing this it recognizes that
people of the same chronological age may differ markedly in their levels of
social and intellectual maturity. Age recommendations for materials are
considered general guidelines at best. Neither the selection of materials nor
their use is restricted based on their perceived appropriateness for persons of
a particular age. Any restrictions on the use of library materials by a minor
are the sole right and responsibility of the minor’s parent(s) or legal
guardian. Parents are encouraged to be knowledgeable about the library materials
their children use and to discuss these with them.
DEACCESSION, RETENTION, AND
DUPLICATION
The library follows a
systematic weeding procedure. Its purpose is to maintain an active, useful and
current collection. Items of limited use are eliminated to make room for more
useful materials. On a regular, rotating basis, librarians and staff review the
different assigned areas of the collection. Basic criteria to consider when
reviewing an item for withdrawal are:
Use:
Items that have not circulated during a specified number of years may be
considered for withdrawal.
Subject coverage:
The relation of the item to others in the same
subject.
Superseded editions:
Older editions will not be retained unless they have unique value to the
collection.
Duplicate copies:
Duplicates are retained when demand calls for them.
Value to the library:
An item that is dated and obsolete, of low priority, or readily available
elsewhere may be considered for withdrawal.
Availability:
Consideration will be given as to whether an item is the last copy
available in the library or in the library system.
Well-rounded collection: Retention is
considered for items representing subjects of new or renewed interest and
classics or items of historical value significant to the library and to the
community. Particularly careful consideration will be given to materials in
literature, history and the arts.
Condition:
Materials in poor condition are considered for repair, replacement, or
withdrawal.
Once an item has been
withdrawn from the collection, it will continue to remain property of the
library and will go through the following removal steps:
Step 1. If of possible
need, the item may be offered to other county departments (such as the Sheriff’s
Dept. for use in the jail).
Step 2. If a local school
is in need of materials, the item may be offered to them to use for educational
purposes (such as an Encyclopedia set to a school with budgetary
problems).
Step 3. The item may be
sold by the library in order to fund other projects or
purchases.
Step 4. The item may be
donated to a local library support group (such as a Friends of the
Library).
Step 5. The item may be
donated to a non-profit group that is not affiliated with the
library.
Step 6. Once an item has
gone through the above procedure and is determined to no longer have any value,
it will be recycled.
INTELLECTUAL
FREEDOM
The Martin County Library
Board supports the principle that the freedom to read, hear and view is the
right of each individual in our free society, and is therefore determined to
defend this right by adhering to and supporting the Library Bill of Rights
printed below and various interpretations of this document as may be approved by
the Board from time to time and appended to this selection policy. Please see
Appendix D and E for statements of Freedom to View and
Labeling.
The American Library
Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and
that the following basic policies should guide their
services.
I.
Books and other library
resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of
all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded
because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their
creation.
Adopted June 18, 1948.
Amended February 2, 1961, and
January 23, 1980,
inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996,
by the
ALA Council
CHALLENGES TO
MATERIALS
The Library Board respects
the right of persons to express their opinions and will provide to the concerned
citizen the right to challenge library materials for reconsideration. However,
no library materials will be removed from the shelf until the challenge is acted
upon and a decision is reached.
A user expressing concern
over materials will first be invited to discuss his or her concern with the
Director or other administrative staff. If this information conversation does
not satisfy the concerned user, or if the complainant wishes to bypass this
step, the formal procedures outlined below can be instituted. Justification of
library acquisitions is not the responsibility of Library staff members even
though they may be the first point of contact.
Procedure for reconsideration of library
materials:
1.
The library user will
request the form “Statement of Concern About Library Materials” (TDS form #20)
from a library staff member. (Appendix C)
2.
The library user must
fill out the form completely, sign it, and return it along with the library
material in question to the Library Director.
3.
The Library Director
will review the material(s) and notify the library user of his/her decision in
writing within 30 days.
4.
If the library user
questions the decision of the Director, he/she may meet with the Director to
discuss the matter. If the library user wishes to further discuss the matter
with the Library Board, the matter will be included on the agenda of the next
regularly scheduled Library Board meeting. The Library Board may appoint a
committee made up of Board and staff members to study the recommendation and
report to the Board. Action taken by the Board will be
final.
CONCLUSION
The Library Board realizes
that any library that purchases only those materials acceptable to everyone
would have very few items indeed. The Board further recognizes the right and
privilege of each person to select those materials he or she wishes from the
Library collection, and that no one is obliged to read, hear, or view that which
he or she does not like.
The Library Board respects
the right of persons to express their opinions, negative as well as positive,
with respect to materials purchased by the Library. However, negative attitudes
of persons or groups toward any material shall not mean its removal from the
library collection.
The Library Board expresses
its support of the staff responsible for the selection of library materials, and
delegates to such staff the authority to purchase those books and other library
materials that are considered essential, useful and within the scope of this
selection policy.
The Library Board will
periodically review this materials selection policy.
This policy was amended in
November 2003.
APPENDIX A: SELECTION
TOOLS
In selecting materials, the
Martin County Library System staff members are guided by, but not restricted to,
a number of reviewing aids such as:
Booklist
Library Journal and School
Library Journal
Publishers
Weekly
Newspaper and regional
reviews
Video Review Guide for
Libraries
CD
Review
Leonard Matlin’s TV Movies
and Video Guide
Video Hound’s Golden Movie
Retriever
Specialized
bibliographies
Standard
Catalogs
Patron
suggestions
APPENDIX B: RECOMMENDATION
FOR PURCHASE
Martin County Library System
110 N. Park St.
Fairmont, MN
56031
(507) 238-4207
Recommended for Purchase
Date
Title Recommended
Author/Performer
Publisher
Price
Recommended item is: (Circle
One)
Book
Magazine
Videocassette
Audiocassette
Other
Please identify any reviews
of this item that you know about:
Your name (optional)
Your Library Branch
APPENDIX C: STATEMENT OF
CONCERN
Martin County Library System
110 N. Park St.
Fairmont, MN
56031
(507) 238-4207
STATEMENT OF CONCERN ABOUT LIBRARY
RESOURCES
Name
Date
Address
Phone
City
State
Zip Code
Book
Audiocassette or recording
Magazine
Library Program
Video
Other
Title
Author/Producer
TDS Form #20
APPENDIX D: FREEDOM TO
VIEW
Martin County Library System
110 N. Park St.
Fairmont, MN 56031
(507) 238-4207
Freedom to View Statement
The FREEDOM TO VIEW, along with the freedom to speak, to hear, and to read, is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. In a free society, there is no place for censorship of any medium of expression. Therefore these principles are affirmed:
This statement was originally drafted by the Freedom to View Committee of the American Film and Video Association (formerly the Educational Film Library Association) and was adopted by the AFVA Board of Directors in February 1979. This statement was updated and approved by the AFVA Board of Directors in 1989.
Endorsed by the ALA Council January 10, 2025
APPENDIX E: LABELING STATEMENT
Martin County Library System
110 N. Park St.
Fairmont, MN
56031
(507) 238-4207
Labeling Statement
Labeling is the practice of describing or designating materials by affixing a prejudicial label and/or segregating them by a prejudicial system. The American Library Association opposes these means of predisposing people’s attitudes toward library materials for the following reasons:
A variety of private organizations promulgate rating systems and/or review materials as a means of advising either their members or the general public concerning their opinions of the contents and suitability or appropriate age for use of certain books, films, recordings, or other materials. For the library to adopt or enforce any of these private systems, to attach such ratings to library materials, to include them in bibliographic records, library catalogs, or other finding aids, or otherwise to endorse them would violate the Library Bill of Rights.
While some attempts have been made to adopt these systems into law, the constitutionality of such measures is extremely questionable. If such legislation is passed which applies within a library’s jurisdiction, the library should seek competent legal advice concerning its applicability to library operations.
Publishers, industry groups, and distributors sometimes add ratings to material or include them as part of their packaging. Librarians should not endorse such practices. However, removing or obliterating such ratings—if placed there by or with permission of the copyright holder—could constitute expurgation, which is also unacceptable.
The American Library Association opposes efforts which aim at closing any path to knowledge. This statement, however, does not exclude the adoption of organizational schemes designed as directional aids or to facilitate access to materials.
Adopted July 13, 1951. Amended June 25, 1971; July 1, 1981; June 26, 1990, by
the ALA Council.