I. Purpose and Objectives Horry County Memorial Library Collection Development Policy The purpose of this policy is to guide librarians and to inform the residents of Horry County about the principles upon which materials selections are made. The policy was written to define the standards and to outline the responsibilities for materials selection. Within the following guidelines, staff members must use their professional judgment to determine which materials best meet the objectives of the library system and the needs of its patrons. Materials should be selected and services and programs planned that satisfy residents needs as individuals and as members of groups with concern given not only to the present needs of the community but to anticipating the community s needs. Though the Library attempts to give the best service possible to its regular users, it also has an obligation to collect materials and search for methods of service that will satisfy the needs of those in the community who have not traditionally been library users. It is vitally important that every citizen today have ready and free access to the world of ideas, information, and creative experience. The Horry County Memorial Library selects, makes available, and promotes the use of library materials, whatever the format which: 1. Meet the information and recreational needs of the community 2. Supplement formal and informal study 3. Provide a balanced representative view on a subject 4. Support business, cultural, recreational, and civic activities in the community 5. Stimulate self-understanding and growth 6. Enhance job-related knowledge and skills 7. Increase knowledge of and participation in the affairs of the community, the nation, and the world The word materials has the widest possible meaning; it may include books (hardbound and paperbound), pamphlets, maps, periodicals, newspapers, audio recordings, video cassettes, compact disks (music and computer software), other nonprint items, electronic information and Internet access. II. Authority and Responsibility The authority and responsibility for the selection of library materials is delegated to the Library Director and to the professional staff, under the director s supervision, who are qualified for this activity by reason of education, training, and experience. The advice of specialists in the community is requested in fields in which staff members do not have sufficient expertise. Suggestions from readers are welcome and are given serious
consideration within the general criteria. Final decision for purchase rests with the Director. III. General Principles of Material Selection The public library is a forum for information and ideas. The following basic principles will guide its materials selections: 1. Books and other library resources will be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people within the community. 2. Materials will not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation. 3. Materials will not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval. Within reason, materials and information provided will present the various general points of view on current and historical issues. 4. Ultimate responsibility for children s reading rests with parents or legal guardians. Materials selection for the adult collection is intended for mature readers, and will not be restricted by the possibility that children may obtain materials which their parents or legal guardians consider inappropriate. The Library will not seek to assume parental responsibility in this regard. The Library does not serve in loco parentis. 5. Materials unavailable at this Library but available through cooperative library networks may be borrowed upon the request of the user. 6. Textbooks or other curriculum-related materials are acquired only when they serve the general public. 7. Consideration is given to the adequate availability of materials for persons with disabilities. IV. Criteria for Materials Selection The evaluation of materials is characterized by flexibility, open-mindedness, and responsiveness to the changing needs of Horry County citizens. Materials are evaluated as a whole and not on the basis of a particular passage or passages. A work will not be excluded from the Library s collection because it presents an aspect of life honestly or because of frankness of expression. All acquisitions, whether purchased or donated, are considered in terms of the following standards; however, an item need not meet all of the criteria to be acceptable. In some instances, materials may be judged primarily on artistic merit, or because of scholarship, or as valuable human documents, or as critical to the information needs of the community. 1. Demand by patrons 2. Present and potential relevance to community needs 3. Suitability of subject, style, vocabulary, and reading level for the intended audience 4. Significance and long-term value to the existing collection 5. Attention given to the item by reviewers and general news media 6. Qualifications of author or producer 7. Quality of format
8. Relationship to existing materials in the collection on the same subject Questions asked regarding the purchase of an item might include the following. 1. Does it have lasting value? 2. Does it cover a subject that is not otherwise available? 3. Does it balance materials currently available in the collection? 4. Is it valuable for reference or research and not otherwise duplicated locally in a publicly accessible manner? 5. Is it timely, of current interest, or does it have historical value? 6. Will the general public use it, or is it a special interest item for one patron? The lack of a review or the fact of 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. V. Scope of Collection 1. Through careful selection the Library attempts to maintain a balanced collection of quality materials, including items of contemporary significance and permanent value; as well as a sampling of current social issues and ephemeral items. 2. Although the needs of library patrons are the major factor in the choice of materials, all subject areas, including religion, politics, sex education, as well as social, moral, economic and scientific issues are considered for selection in order to maintain a well-balanced collection. 3. Since the library serves patrons with a wide range of ages, educational backgrounds and reading skills, an attempt is made to select materials of varying complexity. 4. Given the proximity of Coastal Carolina University the Library will not attempt to purchase materials aimed at college level research at the college level research. 5. All collections will be widely accessible to all borrowers, regardless of their location, through interlibrary and intralibrary loan services. VI. Selection Tools Since it is impossible for librarians to examine all items being considered for purchase, it is necessary to depend on reliable selection aids. These sources may include the following. 1. Library Journal 2. Booklist 3. Wilson Library Bulletin 4. School Library Journal 5. Publisher s Weekly 6. New York Times Book Review 7. Kirkus
8. Horn Book 9. Kliatt 10. Video Librarian 11. Bibliographies and other selective lists published by library, educational and scientific organizations VII. Gifts and Donations Gifts and donations are always welcome. Acceptance will be based on the following criteria. 1. All such items must meet the criteria contained within this policy 2. Attached conditions of the donor as to use, locations, or disposition will not be permitted 3. Funds may be designated for the purchase of materials by general subject area 4. All gifts, when accepted, become the property of the Library and may not be reclaimed by the donor 5. Unneeded donations will not be retained 6. The receipt of specific items will be acknowledged, but no statement of financial value for tax or other purposes will be made 7. All gifts should be left at a library facility or mailed to the attention of the either the Youth Services Coordinator or the person selecting adult materials VIII. Withdrawal of Obsolete Materials An up-to-date, attractive and useful collection is maintained through a continual withdrawal and replacement process. Materials infrequently used and /or materials with no lasting value and not of lasting value will be withdrawn on a periodic basis from the collections. Obsolete materials will be removed from circulation and disposed of in accordance with established Board policy. Obsolete materials include outmoded books, superseded editions, superfluous duplicates, damaged and worn-out items. Replacement of withdrawn materials is dependent on current demand, usefulness, more recent acquisitions, and availability of newer editions. IX. Reconsideration Procedures The Board of Trustees supports intellectual freedom and endorses the following intellectual freedom statements. Freedom to Read (American Library Association), Freedom to View (Educational Film Library Association) and Library Bill of Rights (American Library Association). The Board also recognizes the importance of providing a method whereby opinions from the public regarding materials selection can be voiced. Therefore, it has established a procedure, which will apply to all opinions of materials included and not included in the collection. To comply with this procedure, a Request for Reconsideration form must be submitted. Forms are available at each library s circulation desk and upon completion, may be
mailed, or delivered, to the Library Director. Upon receipt of the signed form the following will occur. 1. Within three days of receiving the form, the Library Director will direct the person in the position, which was (or normally would be) responsible for purchasing the reconsidered item to begin reviewing the item for its compliance with Library policy. 2. Within ten days of receiving the form from the Library Director, the material selector will examine the material in question (if available), the issues raised, circumstances involved and submit a proposed response letter to the Director whether to add, remove, retain, or move the material in question. 3. Within three days of receiving the recommendation, the Director will review the decision and authorize sending the letter. 4. If the patron is not satisfied with the Library s response, the Director will rereview the decision and once again determine whether to add, remove, retain, or move the material in question. The Director will send an appropriate response letter. Included within the response will be a statement informing the individual of the availability of a Board hearing. Should the person completing the Request for Reconsideration form feel that the Library Director s decision is not supported by Library policy, this person may request a Library Board hearing by written notification to the Library Director. Following the Library Board hearing, the decision of the Board will be final. X. Potential Problems or Challenges The library recognizes that some materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Selection will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the basis of the principles stated in this policy. 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. ADOPTED BY THE HORRY COUNTY MEMORIAL LIBRARY BOARD OF TRUSTEES: JUNE 27, 1996 LATEST REVISION: JANUARY 22, 2004 /colledev