Selection Policy
Adopted: June 6, 1989
Amended: 11-21-00
I. The Community
A knowledge of the community is a vital ingredient in the responsible selection of library materials. There must be knowledge of residents' interests, capacities and problems, plus knowledge of the geographical and building patterns that affect the placement of materials to satisfy the residents' needs.
II. Purpose and Objectives of the New London Public Library
The purpose of the library, a public service agency, is to provide all residents of New London and the surrounding area with a comprehensive collection of materials in a variety of media that record people's knowledge, ideas and culture; to organize these materials for ready access; to offer guidance and encouragement in their use; to serve the community with reliable and easily available sources of information and reference.
Materials should be selected and services planned to satisfy residents both as individuals and as members of groups, with concern for all ages, backgrounds, interests, abilities, and levels of education. Materials and services should be in sufficient supply to make the library a dependable resource for most of the people most of the time, as the budget shall permit.
Furthermore, the library has an obligation to serve not only its current habitual users but to search for materials and methods that will meet the needs of members of the community who have not traditionally been library users. Similarly, the library must not freeze its program or service areas, but must be alert to anticipating future needs of the city and county and of the region as well. Cooperation with the extensive governmental, academic and special resource centers in the area will be an increasingly important factor in meeting future needs.
One of the chosen roles of the New London Public Library according to the Wisconsin Public Library Standards is as a Popular Materials Library. The library will include popular, high-interest materials for all ages for reading, viewing, and listening, with sufficient duplication to meet demand.
Another chosen role for the New London Public Library is as an Independent Learning Center. The library will include collections of non-fiction materials for independent learners of all ages in a variety of formats and for a wide range of ability levels.
The library will strive to meet the standards stated in the Wisconsin Public Library Standards.
While formulating or revising the roles and objectives, the library is guided by professional standards: it consciously supports and is supported by the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statements which affirm that free and convenient access to the world of ideas, information, and the creative experience is of vital importance to every citizen today.
In conclusion, the library strives to stimulate the development not only of learning, but of concern and understanding as well, and to provide materials and guidance in their use in order to enable as many people as possible to apply their daily lives the record of what is known.
III. Criteria for Selection
To build collections of merit and significance, materials must be measured by objective guidelines. All acquisitions, whether purchased or donated, are considered in terms of the established standards. Clearly, however, an item need not meet all of the criteria in order to be acceptable. When judging the quality of materials several standards and combinations of standards may be used, as some materials may be judged primarily on artistic merit, while others are considered because of scholarship, value as human documents, or ability to satisfy the recreational entertainment needs of the community.
Items having widespread demand may or may not meet the general criteria contained in this policy. However, demand is a valid factor in book selection and it shall be considered an important factor in cases such as books on bestseller lists for which there is persistent local demand.
As the social and intellectual climate of the community changes, materials which were not recommended for purchases may become of interest. Such materials will be re-evaluated on a continuing basis.
The Library is aware of the increasing availability of information in forms other than the printed page and will incorporate other formats when appropriate
The collection may contain the various positions expressed on important or controversial questions, including unpopular beliefs or views. It provides a resource where the individual can examine issues freely and make his or her own decisions.
The Library recognizes that many books are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Selection will not be made on the basis of any anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the merits of the work in relation to the building of the collections and to serving the interests of the readers.
Responsibility for the reading of minors rests with their parents and legal guardians. Selection of adult material will not be limited by the possibility that books may inadvertently come into the possession of minor. Upon written request of the parents, the library will restrict the borrowing of materials of their minor children.
IV. Responsibility for Selection
The ultimate responsibility for selection of materials rests with the library director and the department heads operating within the framework of policies and objectives determined by the Library Board. Other staff members may participate in the selection process. It is the responsibility of everyone working with the public to record patron requests and needs so that they may be consider in selection.
Weeding:
The library must occasionally decide to withdraw unused, dated or worn materials from the collection. The library staff will use the CREW method to select materials for weeding. The librarian will then check the materials against standard library guides before the item is discarded from the collection.
