Reeseville Public Library 

A. Objectives  

The purpose of the Reeseville Public Library is to provide all individuals in the community with carefully selected books and other materials to aid the individual in the pursuit of education, information, research, pleasure, and the creative use of leisure time.  

Because of the volume of publishing, as well as the limitations of budget and space, the library must have a selection policy with which to meet the service community interests and needs.  

The materials selection/collection development policy is used by the library staff in the selection of materials and also serves to acquaint the general public with the principles of selection.  

The Library Bill of Rights and The Freedom to Read Statement have been endorsed by the Reeseville Public Library Board of Trustees and are integral parts of the policy.  

The materials selection/collection development policy, like all other policies, will be reviewed and/or revised as the need arises. 

B. Responsibility for Selection  

The ultimate responsibility for selection of library materials rests with the library director who operates within the framework of the policies determined by the Reeseville Public Library Board of Trustees. This responsibility may be shared with other members of the library staff; however, because the director must be available to answer to the library board and the general public for actual selections made, the director has the authority to reject or select any item contrary to the recommendations of the staff. 

C. Criteria for Selection  

  1. The main points considered in the selection of materials are:  
  • a. individual merit of each item  
  • b. popular appeal/demand  
  • c. suitability of material for the clientele  
  • d. existing library holdings  
  • e. budget  
  1. Reviews are a major source of information about new materials. The primary sources of reviews are Publishers Weekly, Booklist, and Library Journal.  
  1. The lack of a review or an unfavorable review shall not be the sole reason for rejecting a title which is in demand. Consideration is, therefore, given to requests from library patrons and books discussed on public media. Materials are judged on the basis of the work as a whole, not on a part taken out of context.  

D. Interlibrary Loan  

Because of limited budget and space, the library cannot provide all materials that are requested. Therefore, interlibrary loan is used to obtain from other libraries those materials that are beyond the scope of this library’s collection.  

In return for utilizing interlibrary loan to satisfy the needs of our patrons, the Reeseville Public Library agrees to lend its materials to other libraries through the same interlibrary loan network used by The Library System, and to make an effort to have its current holdings listed in a tool that is accessible by other libraries throughout the state. 

E. Gifts and Donations  

The library accepts gifts of books and other materials with the understanding that they will be added to the collection only if appropriate and needed. If they are not needed because of duplication, condition, or dated information the director can dispose of them as he/she sees fit. The same criteria of selection which are applied to purchased materials are applied to gifts. Memorial gifts of books or money are also accepted. Specific memorial books can be ordered for the library on request of a patron if the request meets the criteria established by the Board. It is desirable for gifts of or for specific titles to be offered after consultation with the library director. Book selection will be made by the director if no specific book is requested. The Reeseville Public Library encourages and appreciates gifts and donations.  

By law, the library is not allowed to appraise the value of donated materials, though it can provide an acknowledgment of receipt of the items if requested by the donor. 

F. Weeding  

An up-to-date, attractive and useful collection is maintained through a continual withdrawal and replacement process. Replacement of worn volumes is dependent upon current demand, usefulness, more recent acquisitions, and availability of newer editions. This ongoing process of weeding is the responsibility of the library director and is authorized by the Board of Trustees. Withdrawn materials will be handled in a similar manner and under the same authority as donated materials.  

G. Potential Problems or Challenges  

The Reeseville Public Library recognizes that some materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Selection of materials will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the basis of the principles stated in this policy.  

Responsibility for the reading of children rests with their parents or legal guardians. Selection of library materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may come into the possession of children.  

Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their contents, and no library material will be sequestered except to protect it from damage or theft.  

H. Challenged Materials  

Although materials are carefully selected, there can arise differences of opinion regarding suitable materials. Patrons within the service area requesting that material be withdrawn from or restricted within the collection may complete a “Statement of Concern About Library Resources” form which is available in the library. The inquiry will be placed on the agenda of the next regular meeting of the Reeseville Public Library Board of Trustees.  The library board will make its written decision regarding the material based on the library’s philosophy and policies. 

Approved by the Reeseville Public Library Board of Trustees on this _19th  day of April_, 2022. 

STATEMENT OF CONCERN ABOUT LIBRARY RESOURCES 

Reeseville Public Library 

Name________________________Date_____________  

Address______________________Phone___________  

City_________________________State______ZIP_______  

Resource on which you are commenting:  

_____Book _____Audio-visual Resource 
_____Magazine _____Content of Library Program 
_____Newspaper _____Other 

Title:_________________________________________  

Author/Publisher or Producer/Date:___________________ 

  1. What brought this resource to your attention?  
  1. To what do you object? Please be as specific as possible.  
  1. Have you read or listened or viewed the entire content? If not, what parts?  
  1. What do you feel the effect of the material might be?  
  1. For what age group would you recommend this material?  
  1. In its place, what material of equal or better quality would you recommend?  
  1. What do you want the library to do with this material?  
  1. Additional comments: