Materials Selection Policy
Approved by the Board of Library
Trustees September 12, 1994
I. Philosophy and
Goals:
The mission of the Memorial Hall Library
is to make available a broad range of
library materials, to provide up-to-date
and accurate information, and to offer
services and programs desired by the
community of Andover. The Library also
acts as the most convenient point of
access for the needed materials and
information and actively seeks to make
community members and organizations
aware of library resources and services.
In its role as subregional headquarters
library for the northeast region of the
state, the Memorial Hall Library
fulfills the following roles:
- Reference/Research Center
- Inter-Library Loan Center
- Hub for Delivery of Materials
between libraries
- Professional Support Center
Because library materials and
information come in a wide variety of
formats, the Library fulfills its
mission by buying materials in both
print and non-print form. Cassettes,
compact disks, and microforms are
examples of some formats being
purchased.
The community which Memorial Hall
Library serves focuses on the Town of
Andover and extends throughout the 37
municipalities in the Subregion. The
library serves a wide geographical area
with a diverse population.
The Memorial Hall Library subscribes
to the principles of intellectual
freedom as stated in the "Library Bill
of Rights" (see Appendix1), a document
issued by the American Library
Association. Included in this statements
is the commitment to honor the rights of
an individual to use the library
regardless of age, race, religion,
national origin, or social or political
views. Accordingly, the staff of the
library provides equal service to all
Library users. Children and adults are
equally free to use the entire library
and to borrow all materials in the
circulating collection.
II. Selection
Process:
Library materials are selected by
members of the staff after consulting
professional review media. Staff members
consult with each other to review he
needs of the community as documented in
circulation statistics and requests.
Final responsibility for the purchase of
materials resides with the Director of
the Library.
III. Standards
of Selection:
When selecting non-fiction material, the
staff librarians consider the author's
competency, the information presented,
and the potential usefulness to the
Library's collection. First, Library
staff attempt to meet the patrons'
demands. Second, material is bought that
is both pertinent and timely. Books that
have current political and social
significance are given high priority for
selection. The Library makes a special
effort to obtain material representing
all sides of controversial issues.
Third, staff members look to see that
the author presents his or her material
accurately, clearly, and in a readable
manner.
The Library maintains an extensive
collection of business directories,
loose leaf services, updated laws, and
periodicals. The Library continuously
updates materials in the areas of
education, health, government,
technology, science, and current events
to meet the informational needs of our
patrons.
Local history and genealogical
materials relating to Andover are
particularly sought for the collection.
Histories, local newspapers, vital
records, town reports, pamphlets about
Andover, books by local authors, and
books about this area are collected.
Local newspapers are microfilmed for
permanent preservation.
The library will consider whether or
not the material under consideration
duplicates materials already in the
library's collection. Because of the
library's role as Subregional
Headquarters, materials may be purchased
because they fill the needs of the
smaller libraries in Subregion.
The Library attempts to purchase a
wide variety of fiction to satisfy the
needs of all of our borrowers. The
Library staff choose titles on the basis
of reviews that consider, among other
things, the appeal of a book for a
specific audience, the artistic skill
evident in its rendering, and the
literary reputation of the author.
Paperbacks selected for the Adult
Paperback Collection serve three main
purposes. First, some paperbacks are
added to meet the demand for popular,
easily portable, inexpensive reading
material. Second, duplicate copies of
popular hard cover titles are purchased
to meet heavy demand. Third, duplicate
copies of some titles on school reading
lists are purchased to make these titles
readily available as they are needed.
Because paperbacks are inexpensive,
relative to hard cover books, and
because they are easily damaged, their
cataloging and processing are kept to a
minimum. A balanced paperback collection
is not a primary goal, and books are
frequently weeded. These considerations
result in a paperback collection that is
constantly changing and useful mainly
for browsing.
Gift books in good condition are
welcomed by the Library. Once accepted,
the donated materials will be checked to
see if they are in good condition, and
if they meet the Library's standards of
selection. If donated items are not
added to the library's collection, the
Library reserves the right to either
sell them at library book sales or to
otherwise dispose of them.
The Library welcomes suggestions for
the purchase of materials. Suggestions
will be subject to the same standards of
selection as other considered materials.
Due to the varied demands made upon
the Library's resources, the number of
duplicate copies bought for reserves
will be limited.
IV. Young
Adult Materials:
The young adult user of the Library has
access to the entire collection.
Limitations to be placed upon the
reading materials of the young adult are
left to the discretion of the parents.
A Young Adult Collection has been
developed for the purpose of meeting the
recreational reading and informational
needs of the middle school and high
school age population. Materials are
chosen from reviews in journals or
through book lists from established
sources. The fiction collection consists
primarily of YA fiction from many
genres. Some adult titles of special
interest to Young Adults are also
included.
V. Children's
Materials:
Materials selected for the Children's
Collection meet similar standards as all
other materials selected for the
Library's collection. Special effort is
made to continuously update the
collection and to weed worn and outdated
materials. High priority for purchase is
given to books of use and value to
parents, teachers, and other people
working with children.
The Children's Library strives to
provide children with the library
materials necessary to aid their
educational and personal development.
Some items may be included that might
not be considered appropriate by all
adults for all children. While some
books are too mature for one child,
other children may be ready for them.
Only each child and his or her parents
can decide what material is suitable for
that child to read.
Elementary and high school libraries
serve the curriculum needs of the
students. While not duplicating these
resources or attempting to follow all
the changes in curriculum, the Memorial
Hall Library does recognize the need to
provide a wide variety of cultural and
recreational reading matter for students
and to provide some basic class related
materials for students seeking to
complete their assignments outside
school hours.
VI. Objections
to Library Materials:
Any individual who desires may express
his or her objections to particular
library materials by completing a
"Statement of Concern about Library
Materials" form. After the form is
completed, it will be brought tot he
attention of the Library Director who
will evaluate the original reasons for
the purchase of the material. The
Library Director will then respond to
the person making the objection. Any
remaining objections will be addressed
by the Board of Library Trustees.
VII.
Confidentiality of Patron Records:
The Memorial Hall Library recognizes
each patron's right to confidentiality.
No information regarding any patron
record, including the items circulated
to that patron will be divulged.
Appendix
LIBRARY BILL
OF RIGHTS
The American Library Association affirms
that all libraries are forums for
information and ideas, and that the
following basic policies should guide
their services.
- 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.
- Libraries should provide materials
and information presenting all points
of view on current and historical
issues. Materials should not be
proscribed or removed from libraries
because of partisan or doctrinal
disapproval.
- Libraries should challenge
censorship in the fulfillment of their
responsibility to provide public
information and enlightenment.
- Libraries should cooperate with
all persons and groups concerned with
resisting abridgment of free
expression and free access to ideas.
- A person's right to use a library
should not be denied or abridged
because of origin, age, background, or
views.
- Libraries which make exhibit
spaces and meeting rooms available to
the public they serve should make such
facilities available on an equitable
basis, regardless of the beliefs or
affiliations of individuals or groups
requesting their use.
Adopted June 18,
1948
Amended February 2, 1961, and June 27,
1967, and January 23, 1980 by the ALA
Council.
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