PURPOSE OF THE COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY

The Seaside Public Library Collection Development Policy is intended to guide the selection of materials to be added to the collections, whether by purchase, through gifts, or through or donation. The policy will provide the basis for the systematic development of the Library collection and sets forth the criteria to be met in selecting books, serials, media, electronic products, and other forms of research materials.

The Board of Trustees of the Seaside Public Library recognizes that American democracy functions only if the full range of human ideas is accessible to the people. Proponents of various points of view must be able to fully and openly make their cases, however popular or unpopular they may be. These principles are guaranteed in the First Amendment of the Constitution. A public library is a First Amendment institution.

The library collection, protected by the First Amendment, exists for the benefit of its patrons. Seaside Public Library must offer a storehouse of ideas that are varied, divergent and inclusive.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES OF COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT

Collection development at the Seaside Public Library is founded on the principles of intellectual freedom, equal access for all, and the preservation of the documentary record of culture. The library provides a collection that balances viewpoints across a broad spectrum of opinion and subject matter in formats suitable to a variety of learning and selection practices that are flexible and responsive to the changing needs of the community, the library builds and maintains collections for the general public while recognizing the needs of special population groups.

The library collection will be selected and maintained to enable each person to find the library materials and information that she or he wants according to his or her own free choice.

The collection, taken as a whole, will be an excellent and unbiased source of information. It will include as wide a selection as possible. Subjects and viewpoints will be covered in sufficient depth to meet anticipated and expressed needs.

Selection of materials by the library does not mean endorsement of the contents or views expressed in those materials. The collection as a whole will be sufficiently diverse to promote no causes; to further no movements; and to endorse no viewpoints.

FREEDOM TO READ

It is in the public interest for publishers and librarians, to make available the widest diversity of views and expressions, including those which are unorthodox or unpopular with the majority.

Publishers, librarians, and booksellers do not need to endorse every idea or presentation they make available. It would conflict with the public interest for them to establish their own political, moral, or aesthetic views as a standard for determining what should be published or circulated.

It is contrary to the public interest for publishers or librarians to bar access to writings on the basis of the personal history of political affiliations of the author.

There is no place in our society for efforts to coerce the taste of others, to confine adults to the reading matter deemed suitable for adolescents, or to inhibit the efforts of writers to achieve artistic expression.

It is not in the public interest to force a reader to accept with any expression the prejudgment of a label characterizing it or its author as subversive or dangerous.

It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians, as guardians of the people's freedom to read, to contest encroachments upon that freedom by individuals or groups seeking to impose their own standards or tastes upon the community at large.

It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians to give full meaning to the freedom to read by providing books that enrich the quality and diversity of thought and expression. By the exercise of this affirmative responsibility, they can demonstrate that the answer to a “bad” book is a good one, the answer to a “bad “ idea, is a good one.

FREEDOM TO VIEW

The FREEDOM TO VIEW, along with the freedom to speak, to hear, and to read, is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. In a free society, there is no place for censorship of any medium of expression. Therefore these principles are affirmed:

To provide the broadest access to film, video, and other audiovisual materials because they are a means for the communication of ideas. Liberty of circulation is essential to insure the constitutional guarantees of freedom of expression.

To protect the confidentiality of all individuals and institutions using film, video, and other audiovisual materials.

To provide film, video, and other audiovisual materials which represent a diversity of views and expression. Selection of a work does not constitute or imply agreement with or approval of the content.

To provide a diversity of viewpoints without the constraint of labeling or prejudging film, video, or other audiovisual materials on the basis of the moral, religious, or political beliefs of the producer or filmmaker or on the basis of controversial content.

To contest vigorously, by all lawful means, every encroachment upon the public's freedom to view.

ACCESS

The Board of Trustees recognizes that full, confidential, and unrestricted access to information is essential for patrons to exercise their rights as citizens.

The Board believes that reading, listening, and viewing are individual private matters. While anyone is free to select or reject materials for themselves or their own minor children, the freedom of others to read or inquire cannot be restricted.

The library collection will be organized and maintained to facilitate access. No materials will be labeled, restricted, sequestered, or altered because of any controversy about the author or the subject matter.

FREE ACCESS TO LIBRARIES FOR MINORS

Library policies and procedures which effectively deny minors equal access to all library resources available to other users violate the Library Bill of Rights. The American Library Association opposes all attempts to restrict access to library services, materials, and facilities based on the age of library users.

Article V of the Library Bill of Rights states, “A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.” The “right to use a library” includes free access to, and unrestricted use of, all the services, materials, and facilities the library has to offer. Every restriction on access to, and use of, library resources, based solely on the chronological age, educational level, or legal emancipation of users violates Article V.

Libraries are charged with the mission of developing resources to meet the diverse information needs and interests of the communities they serve. Services, materials, and facilities which fulfill the needs and interests of library users at different stages in their personal development are a necessary part of library resources. The needs and interests of each library user, and resources appropriate to meet those needs and interests, must be determined on an individual basis. Librarians cannot predict what resources will best fulfill the needs and interests of any individual user based on a single criterion such as chronological age, level of education, or legal emancipation.

The selection and development of library resources should not be diluted because of minors having the same access to library resources as adult users. Institutional self-censorship diminishes the credibility of the library in the community, and restricts access for all library users.

Librarians and governing bodies should not resort to age restrictions on access to library resources in an effort to avoid actual or anticipated objections from parents or anyone else. The mission, goals, and objectives of libraries do not authorize librarians or governing bodies to assume, abrogate, or overrule the rights and responsibilities of parents or legal guardians. Librarians and governing bodies should maintain that parents—and only parents—have the right and the responsibility to restrict the access of their children—and only their children—to library resources. Parents or legal guardians who do not want their children to have access to certain library services, materials or facilities, should so advise their children. Librarians and governing bodies cannot assume the role of parents or the functions of parental authority in the private relationship between parent and child. Librarians and governing bodies have a public and professional obligation to provide equal access to all library resources for all library users.

Librarians have a professional commitment to ensure that all members of the community they serve have free and equal access to the entire range of library resources regardless of content, approach, format, or amount of detail. This principle of library service applies equally to all users, minors as well as adults. Librarians and governing bodies must uphold this principle in order to provide adequate and effective service to minors.

The library does not stand in loco parentis. Parents and guardians, not the library, have the responsibility to guide and direct the reading, listening and viewing choices of their own minor children.

The Board of Trustees recognizes that full, confidential, and unrestricted access to information is essential for patrons to exercise their rights as citizens.

The Board believes that reading, listening, and viewing are individual private matters. While anyone is free to select or reject materials for themselves or their own minor children, the freedom of others to read or inquire cannot be restricted.

The library collection will be organized and maintained to facilitate access. No materials will be labeled, restricted, sequestered, or altered because of any controversy about the author or the subject matter.

MATERIALS SELECTION

Factors to be considered in adding specific materials to the library collection will include any one or more of the following: composition of the present collection, collection objectives, public interest, patron requests, timeliness of topic, audience for material, current or historical significance of author or subject.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE COLLECTION

Ultimate responsibility for the selection of library materials rests with the Library Director who operates within the framework of policies determined by the Library Board of Trustees. Suggestions from staff members and patrons are encouraged and given serious consideration in the selection process.

GENERAL SELECTION CRITERIA

The selection of library materials is based on the patron’s right to read and view, as well as the right to freedom from censorship by others. Selection is a discerning and interpretive process, involving a general knowledge of the subject and its important literature, a familiarity with the materials in the collection, an awareness of the bibliographies on the subject, and recognition of the needs of the community. To build a well-balanced collection of merit and significance, materials in all forms must be measured by objective guidelines. Since the Library does not promote particular beliefs or views, the collection will contain various positions on important questions, including unpopular or unorthodox positions. The Seaside Public Library actively strives to ensure that materials representing many differing views and a broad diversity of human thought and creativity are represented in its collection.

Acquisition of materials are based on the general principals of selection which include diversity of viewpoint, effective expression, creativity, imagination, reading enjoyment, and popularity as measured by accepted "best seller" lists. No materials will be excluded because of race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political or social view of the material or the author.

Individual items, which in and of themselves may be controversial or offensive to some patrons, may appropriately be selected if their inclusion will contribute to the range of viewpoints and effectiveness of the library collection as a whole.

• Reputation of the author, publisher, or illustrator
• Timeliness of data
• Price, availability, compatibility with available equipment
• Contemporary significance or permanent value
• Accuracy of information
• Literary merit
• Relevancy and interest to the user community

Selection tools

Reference works are collected based on users’ information needs, cost, reputation of the publisher/author, and the format in which it is available.

Computer-based resources are selected according to compatibility with available equipment, accuracy, frequency of updating, and user needs.

Both educational and entertainment videos/DVDs are collected. Selection is based on artistic merit, American Film Institute reviews, and user interests (travel, exercise, science, etc.) Special attention is paid to foreign films, British films, and American classics. Preference is now being given to DVD’s because of space needs, improved technology, and the availability of DVD players.

Books on tape parallel most areas of the general collection, especially works of fiction. The library collects unabridged versions only. Donations are accepted in both audiocassette and compact disc format, but preference is given to compact disc when purchasing. Also taken into consideration are the packaging, cost, and artistic merit of the reader.

Recorded music is collected on a limited basis due to space needs. Preference is given to compact disc format.

Materials not collected: Genealogy materials (i.e. family histories, etc.) or rare books are not collected due to lack of space and non-existent preservation facilities. Textbooks used by the local schools and Clatsop Community College are also not collected.

Donations and gifts

Donations of materials and gift items are gratefully accepted as long as no restriction is placed upon their use or disposal.

Acceptance of books and other library materials will be determined by the Library Director on the basis of their suitability to library purposes and needs. Ultimate use or disposal of all gift materials will be determined by the Library Director or designated agent.

The library has the right to discard any gifts in poor physical condition.

Gifts will not be appraised for value by library staff.

Memorials

The strongly The Seaside Library Memorial find was established to accept funds donated in honor or memory of a loved one. Full consideration is given to the donor to assist in recommending items for purchase. Unless otherwise advised, bookplates are placed on each item purchased in honor of the loved one.

Patron Requests

The library strongly encourages its patrons to suggest items, topics, or authors they would like to see included in the collection. Patron suggestions will receive serious consideration and requested materials will be purchased whenever possible.

Interlibrary Loans and Resource Sharing

The Seaside Public Library enhances its borrowing and lending capabilities through membership in the OCLC (Online Computer Library Center) network, an automated system that connects the library to over 5000 libraries in the United States and other countries. The Library relies on resource sharing as an extension of the collection. The Seaside Public Library will ask to borrow materials for patrons upon request. The Seaside Library will also share its collection with any other library upon request when possible.

GENERAL DESELECTION CRITERIA

The Library Board of Trustees recognizes that discarding materials from the collection is an important part of maintaining the Library collection. The discard policy of the Library will consider the same factors as the selection policy. No materials will be removed because of controversy.

Materials that no longer meet the stated objectives of the library will be systematically withdrawn on a continual basis. Disposition and replacement of weeded library materials will be at the discretion of the Library Director.

Weeded materials may include unneeded duplicate copies, outdated materials, and materials that are badly worn or damaged.

Systematic withdrawal of materials no longer useful is necessary in order to maintain an accurate, timely and relevant collection. Library materials are discarded based on the CREW (Continuous Review, Evaluation and Weeding) method developed by Joseph P. Segal of the Texas State Library and recognized as the role model for de-selection.

• Misleading (and/or factually inaccurate)
• Ugly (worn and beyond repair or mending)
• Superceded by a new edition or better book on the subject
• Trivial (of no discernible literary or scientific merit)
• Your collection has no use for this book (is irrelevant to the interest of needs of the library community)

Disposition of library materials is subject to all relevant provisions of the Charter of the City of Seaside.

The two methods of disposition of library materials are donation and discard.

Deselection tools

Donation

Materials may be donated to the Seaside Friends of the Library Association to be sold on behalf of the city for the benefit of the Library. Unsold materials will be returned to the care of the Library Director.

Materials may be offered to other libraries and/or institutions (hospitals, nursing homes, e.g.) and given if requested.

Materials that are of limited use to the public, and cannot be sold or donated to other institutions may be recycled or disposed of.

The Library Director may also offer to donate materials to other libraries and/or institutions (hospitals, nursing homes, etc.)

Discard

Materials that cannot be sold or donated will either be recycled or discarded.

RECONSIDERATION OF MATERIALS

The Board of Trustees recognizes the right of individuals to question materials in the Library collection. Anyone questioning material in the collection may ask the staff about such materials. A staff member will give the patron a copy of this policy.

Individuals still questioning library materials may state their opinion in writing on the "Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials" form. The form will be referred to the Library Board of Trustees. The patron may attend the open meeting of the Library Board of Trustees to hear the opinions expressed. The Board will consider whether the material meets the criteria of the selection policies described herein. If there is more than one complaint, each will be considered and taken seriously. The Library Director will respond in writing to each individual as soon as practical, citing the decision of the Board.

CONSTITUTIONAL PROTECTION

The Library Board of Trustees considers all materials selected under this policy constitutionally protected under the First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States.

If a patron charges that a particular item is not protected under the First Amendment, the burden of proof rests with the complainant.

If a court having jurisdiction over the Seaside Public Library decides that any material in the collection is unprotected by the Constitution, such material will be removed immediately. Material under court consideration will remain available to patrons until a final ruling is made.

POLICY REVIEW

This Policy for the Selection and Discarding of Materials will be reviewed periodically to be revised or reaffirmed.