Materials Selection Policy

Posted: May 20, 2004

The basic objectives in the selection of all materials for the Kimberly-Little Chute Public Library are found in the mission statement where an attempt is made to provide for the informational, educational, recreational and cultural interests and needs of the community. Final responsibility for materials selection rests with the library director whose responsibility is delegated by the library board. Standard aids such as book reviews, trade journals, bibliographic publications and publishers' information may be used to help the librarian in materials selection, but positive reviews or statements alone need not be the sole criteria which determines accession of library material. Popular demand will be considered valid criteria for selection as long as the popular demand fits into the general criteria for acquisition. An attempt will be made to present all sides of an issue, but sensationalism and propaganda will be avoided wherever possible. Materials will not be labeled to show approval or disapproval of the contents nor will materials be restricted except for the express purpose of protecting them from injury or theft. Controversial subjects will be treated in the same impartial manner as any other subject is treated. In selection of potentially controversial materials, the value of the whole will take precedence over the objection to a part or to selected parts. Selection of children's and young adult material will follow the same guidelines as selection for all other materials. Responsibility for the choosing of reading or viewing materials for minor children will rest solely with the parents or guardians, and selection will not be inhibited by the possibility of materials inadvertently coming into the possession of minors.

This library subscribes to the Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read statement, and the Freedom to View statement and welcomes the expression of differing opinions, but at no time will an attempt be made to please every possible patron, nor will materials be removed which have met the established criteria. Procedures governing the expression of opinion concerning a particular item or type of materials will be outlined below.

Within the general criteria mentioned above, the following materials will not be acquired, as a general rule:

• Textbooks and other school-related materials, except where they can also serve the general public.
• Duplicate copies of any item may be provided at the discretion of the library director according to the following general guidelines: a) requests for any item in which more than seven people ask for the item may have an additional copy purchased; additional copies may be purchased for every additional multiple of seven, up to a maximum of four copies in any one format; b) duplicate copies will be kept in the library's collection for a sufficient time to complete all reserve requests and for a minimum of six months after the last request has been filled, at which time those duplicate copies will be made available for sale to the public at a price 50% less than the library's discounted price or as negotiated with the library's director. Any copies not sold within six months of availability for sale will follow the normal guidelines established for disposal of library materials.
• Specialized materials where the main purpose is exhaustive research.

In reference to the general guidelines covered above, the following materials will have selection criteria applied:

• Books
• Periodicals
• Pamphlets and clippings
• Art prints and 3-dimensional art
• Audiovisual materials (posters, puzzles, puppets, toys, etc.)
• Microforms
• Videocassettes, DVDs, and video games
• Computer software
• Equipment and aids
• Music or book compact disks and music or book cassettes
• Other (as materials are determined appropriate for library functions)

The above guidelines will apply not only to purchased materials but also to gifts of money and materials as well. All donations must be free and clear of encumbrances and obligations and must not negatively affect the operating budget.