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The purpose of the Grant County 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 collection development policy with which to establish guidelines for which items are selected for the collection. Materials will be judged on the basis of the work as a whole, not on a part taken out of context.
The 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 Grant County Library Board and are integral parts of the policy.
1. Responsibility for Selection
The ultimate responsibility for the selection of library materials rests with the Library Director who operates within the framework of the policies determined by the Grant County 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 fo reject of select any item contrary the recommendation of the staff.
2. Criteria for Selection
1. Individual merit of each item (awards, reviews, ALA recommendations, local authors/subject)
2. Popular appeal/demand.
3. Reflection of the Library Bill of Rights philosophy.
4. Quality and quantity of context.
5. Existing library holdings.
6. Budget.
3. Potential Problems or Challenges
• The Grant County Library recognizes that some materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Selections 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 and/or guardians. Selection of library materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may come into possession of children.
• Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their content, and no library material will be sequestered except to protect it from damage or theft.
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