Section III A. Collection Development and Maintenance (Revised 8-13-07)
1. The Library Director will select and purchase, with reference to book reviews and library sources, printed and non-printed materials which are of permanent and current value to the Library and which best meet the community’s interests and needs. In developing the Library’s collection, the Library Director will maintain a balance of materials for adults, young adults, and children. All collections are subject to an ongoing review, and selection/de-selection process.
2. The Library Director and staff are responsible for the withdrawal and disposal of materials that are no longer of value to the library collection. These materials will be systematically weeded from the collection according to accepted professional practices, and will be sold, distributed to other institutions, or destroyed.
3. The library will provide electronic access to information resources.
4. The library will provide access to other NH libraries’ collections through inter-library loans (ILLs).
5. Printed and non-printed materials will be accepted as donations only on the condition that the library has the authority to make whatever disposition of such materials it deems suitable. Memorial books may be accepted under these conditions, but may or may not be kept together in a special collection.
6. The Library Director may accept, for a specified period of time, special collections of books or other materials for display and/or in-library use. The library will not be held legally responsible for the safeguarding of such collections, i.e., not held liable for damage or theft.
7. In no case will any book or material be excluded from the library collection because of the race, nationality, or personal views of the writer.
8. In the event that a patron complains or objects to material available in the library, the Library Director will take the following steps:
a. Listen courteously to the patron’s complaint.
b. Have the complainant complete and sign the form “Request for the Reconsideration of Library Materials” (Appendix).
c. Submit the completed form to the Board, at its next regularly scheduled meeting, along with a complete explanation.
d. The Board will present its decision at its next monthly meeting, and the patron will receive a written explanation of that decision.
9. The Board supports the American Library Association’s “Library Bill of Rights” (see Appendix) and “Freedom to Read” statements (see Appendix ).
Collection Development and Maintenance Policy (Adopted 3/10/03)
A. The Library Director, in accordance with library policy, shall select and purchase, with careful reference to book reviews and library sources, printed and non-printed materials which are of permanent and current value to the Library and which best meet the community’s interests and needs. In developing the Library’s collection, the Board and the Library Director shall strive to maintain a balance of materials for adults, young people, and children. Selections shall be those which promote and encourage life-long reading and provide a high standard for students. The long range goal of the selection process shall be to provide a wide range of materials which meet current needs and demands while not neglecting older materials of timeless value and local interest. All collections are subject to an ongoing review, and selection/de-selection process.
B. The Library Director and staff, under the delegated authority of the Board of Trustees shall be responsible for the withdrawal and disposal of materials that are no longer of value to the library collection. These materials shall be systematically weeded from the collection according to accepted professional practices, and will be sold, distributed to other institutions, or destroyed.
C. The library will provide electronic access to information resources.
D. The purchase of best sellers shall be determined by the Library Director in relation to the quality of the materials, the demand for them, and the available budget. Similarly, the library is not obliged to purchase textbooks and other materials to augment academic coursework. The library will make every effort to obtain the best books on a variety of subjects which will be of use to all patrons. Through NHAIS (New Hampshire Automated Information System), the library will provide access to other NH libraries’ collections through ILLs (Inter-library loans.)
E. Selection of non-book materials such as audiocassettes, videotapes, DVDs, CDs, DVDs, and other materials in electronic formats shall be conducted with the same careful consideration as overall book selection. Guidelines for selection will include popular appeal, technical quality, accuracy, usefulness for various ages, and reasonable price.
F. Printed and non-printed materials will be accepted as donations only on the condition that the library has the authority to make whatever disposition for such materials it deems suitable. Memorial books may be accepted under these conditions, but may or may not be kept together in a special collection. The Library Director may at her discretion accept, for a specified period of time, special collections of books or other materials for display and/or in-library use. The library will not be held legally responsible for the safeguarding of such collections, i.e., not held liable for damage or theft.
G. In regard to controversial material, there shall be fair presentation of all views. In no case shall any book or material be excluded from the library collection because of the race, nationality, or political or religious views of the writer.
H. In the event that a patron complains or objects to material available in the library, the Library Director shall take the following steps:
1. Listen courteously to the patron’s complaint.
2. Have the complainant complete and sign the form, “Request for the Reconsideration of Library Materials” (Appendix)
3. Submit the completed form to the Board, at its next regularly scheduled meeting, along with a complete explanation.
4. The Board will present its decision at its next monthly meeting, and the patron shall receive a written explanation of that decision.
I. The Board supports the American Library Association’s “Library Bill of Rights” (see Appendix) and the “Freedom to Read” statements (see Appendix ).
