Materials Selection/Collection Development Policy

1. Objectives

The purpose of the Cadillac Wexford Public Library collection development policy is to provide all individuals in the community with carefully selected books and other materials to aid in the pursuit of education, information, research, pleasure, and the creative use of leisure time.

Because of the volume of publishing, as well as the limitations of budget and space, the library must have a selection policy with which to meet community interests and needs.

The materials selection/collection development policy is used by the library staff in the selection of materials and also serves to acquaint the general public with the principles of selection.

The American Library Association Library Bill of Rights and The Freedom to Read Statement have been endorsed by the Cadillac Wexford Public Library Board of Trustees and are integral parts of the policy.

The materials selection/collection development policy, like all other policies, will be reviewed and/or revised as the need arises.

1. Responsibility for Selection

The ultimate responsibility for selection of library materials rests with the library directors who operate within the framework of the policies determined by the Cadillac Wexford Public Library Board of Trustees. This responsibility may be shared with other members of the library staff; however, because the directors must be available to answer to the library Board and the general public for actual selections made, the directors have the authority to reject or select any item contrary to the recommendations of the staff.

1. Criteria for Selection
2. The main points considered in the selection of materials are:

o    a. individual merit of each item

o    b. popular appeal/demand

o    c. suitability of material for the clientele

o    d. existing library holdings

o    e. budget

2. Reviews are a major source of information about new materials. The primary sources of reviews are: Library Journal, Booklist, School Library Journal and Horn Book.
3. While all efforts are made to purchase books requested by the public, specific titles may be limited by the budget per category.
4. The lack of a review or an unfavorable review shall not be the sole reason for rejecting a title which is in demand. Consideration is, therefore, given to requests from library patrons and books discussed on public media. Materials are judged on the basis of the work as a whole, not on a part taken out of context.
5. Interlibrary Loan

Because of limited budget and space, the library cannot provide all materials that are requested. Therefore, interlibrary loan is used to obtain from other libraries those materials that are beyond the scope of this library's collection.

In return for utilizing interlibrary loan to satisfy the needs of our patrons, the Cadillac Wexford Public Library agrees to lend its materials to other libraries through the same interlibrary loan network, and to make an effort to have its current holdings listed in a tool that is accessible by other libraries throughout the state.

1. Weeding

An up-to-date, attractive and useful collection is maintained through a continual withdrawal and replacement process. Replacement of worn volumes is dependent upon current demand, usefulness, more recent acquisitions, and availability of newer editions. This ongoing process of weeding is the responsibility of the library directors and is authorized by the Board of Trustees. Withdrawn materials will be handled in a similar manner and under the same authority as donated materials.

1. Potential Problems or Challenges

The Cadillac Wexford Public Library recognizes that some materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Selection of materials will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the basis of the principles stated in this policy.

Responsibility for the materials children read rests with their parents or legal guardians. Selection of library materials will not be influenced by the possibility that materials may come into the possession of children.

Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their contents, and no library material will be sequestered except to protect it from damage or theft.

Challenged Materials – Updated 2/21/22

Although materials are carefully selected, there can be differences of opinion regarding suitable materials. Patrons who wish to request the withdrawal or reclassification of materials currently owned by the library are encouraged to discuss their concerns with a library supervisor or its director. If the patron is not satisfied with the response to their request, the manager will provide the patron with information and a "Statement of Concern about Library Resources" form. Withdrawn books are donated to the Friends of the Library for book sales. The proceeds from such sales are used for the benefit of the library. Books that are not sold will be disposed of at the discretion of the Friends of the Library.

Procedures for Handling a Statement of Concern about Library Resources

The following steps will be used when an individual feels that further action is necessary to address concerns about a library resource. For the duration of this process, the material in question will remain in circulation in the library collection.

1. A concerned patron who is dissatisfied with earlier informal discussions will be offered a packet of materials that includes the library’s mission statement, selection policy, reconsideration form, and the Library Bill of Rights.
2. Patrons are required to complete and submit a Statement of Concern about Library Resources form to the library director.
3. The director, with appropriate professional staff, will review the reconsideration form and the material in question, to consider whether its selection follows the criteria stated in the collection policy.
4. Within 15 business days, the director will make a decision and send a letter to the concerned person who requested the reconsideration, stating the reasons for the decision.
5. If the individual is not satisfied with the decision, a written appeal may be submitted within 10 business days to the Board of Trustees.
6. If the board plans to address the appeal at their board meeting, the individual will be notified of when and where the meeting will be held.
7. The Board of Trustees reserves the right to limit the length of public comments.
8. The decision of the board is final. Once a title has been reviewed, no further challenges to this title shall be considered for three years.

Updated 2/21/22