Materials Policies

Section 2 – 1

Materials Selection Policy

The selection of library materials is based on the Library’s goals of serving the educational, informational and recreational needs of the community.  To this end, the Library acquires, makes available, and encourages the use of materials in various formats (e.g. videocassettes, audiocassettes, CD-ROMs).  In keeping with these goals, the Library and its Board of Trustees support the American Library Association’s (ALA) Bill of Rights, ALA’s Freedom to Read Statement and ALA’s Free Access to Libraries for Minors.

     The ultimate responsibility for all materials selected rests with the Library Director.  Authority for selection may be delegated to branch librarians, placing the initial selection at the level where contact with the public occurs and use of the collection is observed.  The public is also given the opportunity to recommend the purchase of additions.  Official purchase requests leading to customer reserves will not be accepted for audiovisual materials.

     Selection is a judgmental process requiring selectors to use their general knowledge of the subject, its place in the field, familiarity with materials in the collection, and their recognition of the needs of the community.  Each work is evaluated as a whole, rather than upon the merits of individual parts.  To ensure a balanced collection, the following general criteria are used by all selectors:

·      The author’s reputation as a writer/scholar

·      The importance of the subject matter to the overall collection

·      The timeliness or permanence of the work

·      Listing of the work in special bibliographies or indexes

·      Attention of critics and reviewers

·      Requests by the public and popular appeal

·      Authoritativeness

·      Price, format and durability

     All materials, whether purchased by the Library or donated to it, are evaluated in accordance with these guidelines.

     The staff makes skilled use of selection aids, publisher’s catalogs, specialized lists, and book reviews.  While book reviews are a major source of information about new books, they are not followed exclusively.

     The Library does not promulgate particular beliefs or views, nor is the selection of any given item equivalent to endorsement of the viewpoint expressed in that item.  An impartial recognition of all points of view is the selection goal.  Within the framework of the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement, the library provides materials representing current approaches to public issues of a controversial nature.  There are certain opinions, such as those involving religious, political or moral attitudes,  that are inherently controversial.  The public library does not emphasize one subject, one aspect of an issue, or one opinion at the expense of another.

     The library cannot act in loco parentis with regard to the selection of library materials for its juvenile patrons.  Selection will not be inhibited by the fact that materials may inadvertently come into the possession of children.  Since the library cannot anticipate a family’s persuasion on controversial issues, the Library encourages parents to have an active and responsible interest in their child’s choice of items.

     The library recognizes the need to provide reference and research material for the direct answering of specific questions if it is to fill its role of serving educational and informational needs.  However, because of the availability of other public and college libraries in the area, the Library weighs carefully the purchase of very expensive or very specialized materials.  To avoid costly and unnecessary duplication, special consideration will be given to materials available to the public through these area libraries or the Internet.

(Adopted by Library Board of Trustees 6/98;amended 3/2006)

Section 2 – 2

Video Collection Development Policy

The Orange County Library acquires and makes available videocassettes and DVDs to serve the general education, information and recreational needs of the community.  Much as our selection of print materials attempts to provide support for our roles as: preschool gateway to reading skills, and lifelong learning and popular materials center, our video collection will do the same.  We emphasize family films, documentaries, and educational programs but also provide popular materials for entertainment and recreation.  The collection will not include materials that strive to appeal strictly by erotic or sensational means. Most popular videos purchased for entertainment purposes will have a PG-13 or lower rating. R rated movies are purchased or accepted as donations if they have redeeming content or qualities according to reviews or awards juries.

The regular materials selection policy also applies to videocassettes and DVDs as does the general policy on donations.

(Approved by the Library Board of Trustees 6/98, amended 10/2001, amended 2/2006)

Reconsideration of Materials

(Complaints about specific items being objectionable)

Any patron has the right to request reconsideration of an item in the collection.  “Request for Reconsideration” forms are available at the front desk of all Library locations.  Upon submission of the form, the complainant shall receive a written response from the Library Director within 14 business days.  If the complainant is still not satisfied, he/she may schedule and appointment with the Library Director, and then with the Library Board of Trustees (as specified in the public service policy section on complaints). 

Appendix 2

Orange County Public Library

Main Library - 146 Madison Rd., Suite 101 Orange VA 22960

Wilderness Branch - 6421 Flat Run Rd. Locust Grove VA 22508

Gordonsville Branch – 200 S. Main Gordonsville VA 22942

Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form

Title __________________________________________________________________       Format_____________________ Author_____________________________________

Request initiated by:____________________________________________________

Address____________________________     Phone:__________________________

Made on behalf of: Himself/herself ______ organization/group:________________________

To what in the work do you object?  (please be specific, cite pages/scenes if poss.)

Section 2 – 5

Weeding

In order to maintain an attractive, up to date and easy to use collection, the Library regularly practices weeding.  Items are withdrawn from the collection when they are dated, worn or damaged beyond repair, or if interest in a title or subject has decreased.  Items are also withdrawn from the library’s catalog database when they have remained unreturned for a long period of time and are presumed lost.  Withdrawn items will be disposed of through book sales, recycling or donations.  Items deemed unfit for sale or donation will be discarded.

(Adopted by the Library Board of Trustees 6/98)