Purpose of Policy:
The policy is established by the Roanoke Public Library Board to guide our Director in the management of the collection and inform the public of the principles behind the Board’s decisions regarding the maintenance and use of it’s collection.
Collection Management Mission:
The Roanoke Public Library’s collection shall be content neutral in order to represent significant viewpoints on subjects of interest without favoring any particular viewpoint.
Responsibility for Collection Management:
The Library Board has delegated to the Library Director the authority and responsibility for selection and management of all printed and non-printed materials within the framework of this policy.
Accessibility of Materials:
All materials selected under the guidelines of this policy will be available to the public.
Requirements for responsible use may be applied to the use of certain materials and/or equipment. (Videos and computer usage.)
Labeling and special shelving of materials may be used for some collections but will not be used for the purpose of restricting access or pre-judging content.
The library representing a wide range of interests and reading levels are selected to meet the needs of patrons.
The responsibility of choosing from this range of materials rests with the user. Parent and/or guardians are responsible for supervising their children’s use of library materials.
Selection of Materials:
Materials will be chosen to enhance the mission of the library and its chosen roles in the community.
Mission Statement:
The mission of the Roanoke Public Library is to provide access to knowledge and information based upon funding provided by tax dollars collected and donations that will inform, educate, entertain and serve the Roanoke community.
The library actively provides timely, accurate, and useful information for our community residents. The library encourages young children to develop an interest in reading and learning through services for children, parents, and caregivers. The library assists students of all ages in meeting educational objectives during formal or self-directed courses of study. The library provides recreational books and audio-visual materials to meet a wide range of tastes and aptitudes and to reflect the diversity of the community. Materials should offer the opportunity and encouragement for:
Selection Criteria:
Materials are selected in accordance with one or more of the following guidelines:
Selection Aids:
Materials for the Roanoke Public Library are determined in part by, but not limited to, the following:
Library Bill of Rights:
The Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statement and all relevant interpretations as adoped by the A.L.A. are part of this Collection Management Policy
Controversial Materials:
As stated in the Library Bill of Rights: “Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightening of all people of the community the library serves. Material should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.”
“Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.” (See Appendix 1)
Electronic Information Resources:
Providing connections to global information, services, and networks is not the same as selecting and purchasing material for a library collection.
Determining the accuracy or authenticity of electronic information may present special problems.
Some information accessed electronically may not meet our library’s selection or collection development policy.
It is therefore, left to our patrons to determine what information is appropriate to their needs.
Gifts:
Gifts are accepted with the understanding that they will be evaluated with the same criteria used for purchased materials. If they do not meet these standards they may be conveyed to The Friends of the Library for the benefit of the library or disposed of if condition warrants.
Discarding and Replacement of Materials:
In order to maintain a current collection, which meets the needs of our community, examination of materials is an ongoing process. A work chosen for discard may be replaced with another copy of same title or another work on same subject. An item is considered for discard when it is:
Customer Comments on Library Materials: The Roanoke Public Library welcomes thoughts concerning library materials and has procedures for making comments. Before following these procedures, you my find it helpful to read the following brief summary of the Library’s policy on library material: Your library serves people from all walks of life, with a variety of viewpoints and tastes. The Library Director chooses materials to meet these diverse needs and is guided by this policy. The library supports the belief that the right to read and the right of free access to library materials for persons of all ages is essential to the individual’s freedom of thought, which is fundamental to the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read statement.
You are encouraged to comment on library materials using the following procedures:
Reviewed and updated June 14, 2005; May 9, 2005