Collection Development Policy

Purpose of Policy

This collection development policy has been created:

• to clearly state the policies of the Library Board,
• to identify responsibility for collection development and provide staff with consistent guidelines for development and maintenance of the collection,
• to provide a process for public input,
• to assist in budget allocation for materials, and
• to defend freedom of information and protect against censorship.

Policy Framework

PURPOSE OF THE COLLECTION

The Library Board believes that the public library is the principal source for information that is freely available to everyone. Therefore, the Public Library of Johnston County & Smithfield shall:

• acquire and organize educational, informational and recreational materials to promote the communication of ideas, an informed community and an improved quality of life,
• provide materials through which inquiring minds may discover original and sometimes controversial ideas essential to a society that depends on the free circulation of ideas for its existence, and
• provide a progressive, user-oriented service which anticipates and responds to the educational, cultural, recreational and other information needs of Johnston County residents.

RELATIONSHIP TO THE MISSION, GOALS AND STRATEGIC PLAN OF THE LIBRARY

The Library's mission statement is as follows:
"The mission of the Public Library of Johnston County & Smithfield is to help the people of our community meet their lifelong educational, informational, cultural and recreational needs."

To achieve these goals the library will:

· acquire and organize a well-balanced and broad collection, in various formats, representing a variety of viewpoints,

· provide useful, current information sources for individuals, businesses, and organizations,

· monitor the needs of the community by doing surveys, use studies, etc. regularly,

· ensure that the collection reflects the priorities in the current strategic plan, and

· make the collection freely available to everyone.THE LIBRARY AND THE COMMUNITY

As a public, tax-supported institution, the Library must serve all sections of a diverse community. Materials are selected on the basis of their interest and information to all people in the community. The Library encourages comments and opinions regarding the collection from customers. Discussion and the exchange of ideas between customers and the Library help to ensure that the collection more accurately reflects and supports the needs and interests of customers. The Library welcomes suggestions for the purchase of material from customers. These suggestions shall be considered in light of the Library's selection criteria.INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM

The Public Library of Johnston County & Smithfield supports the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights and its interpretations and the American Library Association's Freedom to Read Statement. (Appendix A.)

The Public Library of Johnston County & Smithfield provides a collection that presents various and diverse points of view. The Library makes no attempt to promote specific beliefs or viewpoints through its collection.

Parents or legal guardians are responsible for the selection and use of library materials by their children. The Library supports the right of individuals to reject for themselves or for their children materials they find unsuitable or objectionable and makes no attempt to limit or restrict access.

In accordance with this statement, the library staff develops collections to represent as many viewpoints as possible within constraints of budget, space, and availability of resources.

The presence of materials in the library does not constitute endorsement of their contents by the Library Board.

GIFTS/DONATIONS

The Public Library of Johnston County & Smithfield welcomes gifts/donations of books and other materials. Gifts/donations are added according to the same selection criteria as purchased materials. However, since processing and housing materials is expensive, the library reserves the right to accept or discard any materials received as gifts/donations. In addition, the library has the right to reject or discard any materials because of age or physical condition. Gifts/donations that are not added to the collection are usually put in the ongoing library book sale or forwarded to other libraries. Once received, materials are the exclusive property of the Public Library of Johnston County & Smithfield.

Cash donations and bequests of money may be made to the Public Library of Johnston County & Smithfield. The donor may request that these funds be used for the development of specific collections, but the Library Board reserves the right to select materials it deems appropriate.

Authority and Responsibility

RESPONSIBILITY FOR SELECTION

The Library Director is responsible for collection development and maintenance, acting in accordance with the general policies established by the Library Board. In practice, the Director delegates these responsibilities to members of the library staff who are qualified by reason of education or training. Any library materials so selected are held to have been selected by the Board.

The Director may elect to bring to the attention of the Board any acquisition which in her judgment may be of concern to the Board.

The presence of any book, video or other material in the library does not indicate endorsement of its contents by the Library Board.

RESPONSIBILITY OF THE CUSTOMER

The library realizes that some materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some customers. While the library staff is available to assist individuals and groups to select material, the ultimate responsibility for the choice of materials lies with the customer.