MATERIALS SELECTION:

Presence of materials in the library is not a personal endorsement of their contents by any member of the staff or the governing body of the library. This includes physical and digital materials.

Standards that guide the selection of materials are as follows:

● Materials should possess qualities of:

○ Contemporary significance or value

○ Accuracy and objectivity of viewpoint

○ Authority of the author in the field

○ Clear presentation and readability

○ Social significance

● Works of imagination should possess qualities of:

○ Representation of important movements, genres, trends of national culture

○ Vitality and originality

○ Artistic integrity

○ Effective characterization

○ Authenticity of historical or social setting

○ Sustained interest

● Materials considered for inclusion in the library’s collection must meet one or more of the following standards:

○ Importance of subject matter to the collection

○ Literary, artistic, political, historical, or scientific value

○ Timeliness

○ Reputation and significance of author, illustrator, editor, artist, performer, etc.

○ Accuracy and authenticity of content

○ Readability

○ Popularity

○ Local interest

○ Reputation and professional standing of publisher

○ Price

○ Format

● Periodicals will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

○ Frequency of use

○ Interest, as indicated by patron requests

○ Reputation and quality of publication

○ Titles on subjects of current interest

● Digital Collection

○ Digital content is composed of subscriptions, consortiums, and databases. This collection is not entirely curated by the Library System. Digital content purchased by the Library System is subject to the same selection criteria as physical materials.

● Some items that are not deemed suitable for collection include:

○ Collectors’ materials

○ Philosophy and religion materials that have as their primary purpose to proselytize converts

○ Textbooks

○ Obscene Materials

● Tools used in the selection of collection materials include but are not limited to:

○ Award lists

○ Special bibliographies

○ Various professional journals

○ Patron recommendations