7. Materials Policy and Collection Management Policy
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The New Salem Public Library’s Collection Management Policy outlines the basic criteria for selection and retention of library materials. A written policy guides library personnel involved in selection and other collection management assignments. A written policy statement informs the public about the principles which guide the development and management of the Library collection.
Library Mission Statement and Goals:
The mission of the New Salem Public Library is to provide a community center that supports life-long learning. The library strives to meet the resident’s needs with educational, recreational and cultural materials by providing print and non-print materials, technological resources and programs for children and adults. The library staff offers service in current technologies and provides vital information services for the community members.
Funding: The funding comes primarily through property taxes. The balance consists of fines and fees, gifts, state aid and other income. The Library is governed by an administrative Board of Trustees, which annually approves the Library’s budget, including an allocation for books and other library materials. Other funding comes from the Friends of the Library group as well as bequests, memorial contributions and gifts.
DESCRIPTION OF COLLECTION
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Formats:
The collection consists primarily of hardcover and paperback books, magazines and newspapers, Blue Ray, DVDs, VHS videocassettes, audio compact discs, audio cassette tapes and kindles. The Library Director may approve the addition of new formats to the collection for evaluation based on customer requests or anticipated community interest. A policy revision will be submitted for approval within one year of the collection’s introduction.
Languages:
The Library collection consists primarily of works in the English language. Limited collections of books in other languages of interest in the community will be considered for inclusion in the collection. These may include instruction books, audiovisual materials, dictionaries, phrase books and bilingual works in representative languages.
Collection Responsibilities:
Ultimate responsibility for the content of the Library collection rests with the Library Director, acting within the framework of policies established by the Library Board of Trustees. The Library Director may delegate responsibility for selection, maintenance, and management of the collection to designated library staff.
Coordination of Collection Development:
All collection management decisions are subject to review and revision by the Library Director.
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Responsibilities:
a. Regularly review the Collection Management Policy, and recommend necessary changes.
b. Recommend changes in collection development procedures and resources.
c. Develop and implement strategies for collection maintenance and management.
d. Coordinate collection display and promotion activities and programs.
e. Perform materials selection and retrospective collection development.
f. Perform collections review and weeding.
g. Perform analysis of specific areas of the collection as required.
h. Keep current on library trends and be responsive to the changing interests to the community.
Selection Development Policy:
a. To maintain a well- balanced and broad collection of materials for information, reference and research.
b. To support the democratic process by providing materials for the education and enlightenment of the community.
c. To provide recreational resources.
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General Principles:
a. Materials to be added to the collections of the New Salem Public Library are selected on the merits of a particular work in relation to the needs, interests and demands of this community. Basic to this policy is the Library Bill of Rights, as adopted by the American Library Association and endorsed by the New Salem Public Library Board of Trustees. This states, in part, that “In no case should any book be excluded because of the race or nationality or the political or religious view of the writer. There should be the fullest practicable provision of material presenting all points of view concerning the problems and issues of our times – international, national and local; and books or other reading material of sound factual authority should not be proscribed or removed from library shelves because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.” The library does not promulgate particular beliefs or views, nor is the selection of any given book equivalent to endorsement of the viewpoint of the author expressed therein.
b. Responsibility for the reading of children rests with their parents or legal guardians. Selection should not be inhibited by the possibility that books may inadvertently come into the possession of children.
c. Materials with an emphasis on sex, or containing profane language should not be automatically rejected. Selection should be made on the basis of whether the book presents life in its true proportions, whether characters and situations are realistically presented, and whether the book has literary merit.
d. Based on the services it is expected to perform, it is the responsibility of this library to provide circulating, reference and research material for both the diverse general public of this community as well as students, at all levels of formal and informal education.
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Specific Principles for Selection / The following principles will help to condition selection:
a. Contemporary significance or permanent value
b. Accuracy
c. Authority of author
d. Relation of work to existing collection
e. Price, format and ease of use
f. Scarcity of information in subject area
g. Availability of material elsewhere in this community (holdings of the school libraries are considered in developing this library’s collection)
h. Popular demand – The library should make available materials for enlightenment and recreation even if not enduring in value, interest or accuracy. A representative sampling of experimental or short-lived material should be purchased
i. There are certain types of materials which the Library generally does not acquire, because of space and storage limitations, because the format will not withstand the degree of use experienced in a busy public library, and/or because of collection development priorities. Text books, coloring books, puzzle books, spiral bound books, and books with unusual formats, toys, props or other attachments are some examples.
j. Gift books in good condition are welcomed by the Library. Once accepted, the donated materials will be checked to see if they are in good condition, and if they meet the Library’s standards of selection. If donated items are not added to the library’s collection, the Library reserves the right to either sell them at the library book sales or to otherwise dispose of them.
Adult Non-Fiction:
Chief points considered are readability of material, authenticity of factual matter presented, quality of writing, cost, format, existing library holdings and suitability of material to the community. Non-fiction may be excluded for inaccurate information; lack of integrity, sensationalism, intent to indicate hatred or intolerance, and text material of too limited or specialized nature.
Titles are selected on the basis of the content as a whole and without regard to the personal history of the author. Important books of all persuasions should be carried. In no case is any book included or excluded merely because of the race or nationality, or the political or religious views of the writer. In the case of controversial questions, variety and balance of opinion are sought whenever available.
Adult Fiction:
Selection of adult fiction is made with reference to one or more of these criteria:
a. It should contribute positively to the individual’s awareness of self, community and social heritage.
b. It should contribute to the value of the library’s collection as a whole by representing all types and styles of literature.
c. It should provide pleasant reading for recreational and creative use of leisure time.
Serious works which present an honest aspect of life are not necessarily excluded for frankness of expression.
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Young Adult Materials:
The teen collection consists of material considered to be of particular interest to adolescents, particularly in grades 6-12. Materials are selected for this collection to broaden the horizons of teens, help them to cope with the problems of adolescence, and encourage leisure reading. To fulfill these needs, the collection will inevitably include materials on controversial or sensitive topics. Because of the wide range of maturity and reading levels among individual teens, the suitability of any particular item must be determined on an individual basis by the parent or guardian of that teen. It is not intended to be a comprehensive collection serving all the needs and interests of teens, nor is it the Library’s intention that teens should be confined to the use of this material.
Children’s Materials:
The first objective in selecting children’s materials is to encourage the child’s joy in reading and in being read to. Books are selected which offer adventure of mind and spirit to the growing child, cultivating an appreciation of literature both oral and written and encouraging the creative use of leisure time by inquiring minds. Special attention is given to books of use and value to parents and teachers, or other adults working with children.
The public library does not provide basic texts or materials needed in quantity for school work. It accepts as its responsibility the providing of supplemental materials of varied kinds to enrich the resources available to the individual student and teacher.
Reference Materials:
Factors considered in the selection of reference materials are authority, reliability, scope, treatment, arrangement, format, cost, and existing holdings.
Collection Maintenance
To ensure a vital collection of continued value to the community, the library follows an ongoing program of reevaluation of materials.
Materials are removed from the collection when:
a. They are no longer within the scope of the Collection Management Policy.
b. They have zero or low circulation or use within an appropriate time period.
c. They contain obsolete information, theories or concepts that are not useful for historic reference.
d. They contain outdated or incorrect information.
e. Newer editions are acquired, unless older editions contain valuable information not found in later editions.
f. They are in poor physical condition, unless they cannot be replaced and are considered essential to the collection.
8. Patron Policy and Code of Conduct
To insure the best possible use of the New Salem Public Library, the Board of Trustees has established the following rules for use:
a. Patrons shall be engaged in activities associated with the use of a public library while in the New Salem Public Library.
b. Reasonable quiet is expected. This includes the use of cell phones and other electronic devices.
c. Patrons shall conduct themselves in a manner that does not disturb the legitimate activities of other other library patrons or library staff.
d. Improper library conduct includes but may not be limited to: public disturbances such as loud talking or noise making, offensive language, offensive body odor, sleeping, loitering, soliciting, intoxication. Misconduct will result in expulsion from the facility and suspension of library privileges.
e. Only those animals assisting the handicapped or part of library sponsored programming are allowed inside the building.
f. Harassment of other library patrons will not be tolerated.
g. The New Salem Public Library is public property. All federal laws, state laws and town ordinances pertaining to public property shall be observed on library facilities. Any breach of these laws will be reported to the appropriate authorities.
h. Shoes and shirts are required at all times.
i. The New Salem Public Library is a non-smoking facility. Please do not smoke within 50 feet of any entrance.
j. The library assumes no responsibility for the care and supervision of minors. Children under the age of 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
k. Pets are not permitted inside the library. Any pet waste deposited on the library grounds must be removed by the owner.
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Eligibility of Use: The NSPL is a public space available for use by anyone during normal business hours in accordance with the purposes and policies set forth in this document.
Circulation: Patrons who wish to borrow materials from the library must be registered. Photographic ID is required to complete registration whereby a library card will be issued to verify completed registration. Materials can be borrowed with a transaction of the library card. Minors can receive a library card with parental permission in place of a photo. ID. Individuals who do not have a permanent address in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts may be issued a library card at the discretion of the library director.
The NSPL abides by the confidentiality laws as stated in the General Laws of Massachusetts, Chapter 78: Section 7.
Interlibrary loan services are available to residents of New Salem with the NSPL. Number of interlibrary loans per patron or family is at the discretion of the library director. Instructions for interlibrary loans is available through the director and staff at the library.
Loan Policies: DVD’s, videos, magazines and periodicals are available for circulation for 7 days with 1 renewal for 7 days.
a. New books circulate for 21 days with 1 renewal for 21 days. All other books circulate for 21 days with 1 renewal for 21 days.
b. Museum and event passes are circulated at the discretion of the library director.
c. NSPL does not fine late materials. Lost or damaged materials will be invoiced for the replacement cost to the patron who lost the item. Borrowers who have outstanding charges due to non-compliance will lose borrowing privileges until such time as remittances or returns are made.
“Kindle” Circulation Policy
Any registered library patron in good standing, age 18 or over, may borrow the Kindle. The borrowing time is 14 days. There is no fee, deposit, or any type of charge for borrowing the Kindle. Borrowers must agree to the terms in the library’s “Borrower’s Contract for the Kindle,” and sign a copy.
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The Library is not responsible for any damages resulting from use or misuse of the device, connection of the device to other electronic devices, or data loss resulting from use of device. The Library is not responsible for downloaded content on the device. Any use of the device for illegal purposes, unauthorized copying of copyrighted-protected material in any format, or transmission of threatening, harassing, defamatory, or obscene materials is strictly prohibited.