McKinley Memorial Library

Material Selection Policy

SELECTION GUIDELINES

I.  PURPOSE

The purpose of the McKinley Memorial Library is to provide full, open and equal access to ideas, and to that end, the library selects, maintains and makes available to the public a wide array of ideas in a variety of formats. These ideas serve the publics educational, informational, recreational and cultural needs.

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II.  OBJECTIVES

The McKinley Memorial Library is a public library that primarily serves the residents of Niles. To meet the needs of its residents, a core collection will be maintained. This core collection includes a broad range of materials, both circulating and non-circulating, in a variety of formats, for adults and children.

The public library is the institution that provides free access to different points of views and ideas. Consequently, it is the responsibility of the library to select materials, which reflect diversity of ideas and may contain controversial points of view.

Materials are selected to meet the educational, cultural and intellectual needs of the library’s patrons. These materials are in different formats (print and non-print) and reflect current technology, budget and space.

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III.  PRINCIPLES OF SELECTION

The word “materials” is used for specific forms of media and has a broad meaning; it may include print (books, magazines, comic books, newspapers, etc…), and non-print electronic formats (audio books, compact discs, DVD, CD-ROMs, research databases).

The Director of the Library (appointed by the Board of Trustees) delegates to library personnel the authority to select materials on behalf of the library. Every employee, although, is responsible for communicating patron requests and needs to their co-workers given the duty of selecting and maintaining the library’s collection.

Due to the divergent points of view represented in the Library there might come a time when a patron disagrees with material(s) selected by the Library. At that time the patron can utilize the “Request for Reconsideration” form. This completed form begins a process in which the material under consideration will be reviewed. The ultimate decision concerning the item rests with the McKinley Memorial Library Board of Trustees.

McKinley Memorial Library recognizes that it cannot have every item that a patron requests, due to budget, space or rarity of the item. To fill the patron’s needs Interlibrary Loan will be utilized. Interlibrary Loan, the process of one library borrowing an item from another, is meant to expand the range of materials available to the library’s patrons without unnecessarily duplicating resources of other libraries.

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IV.  INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM

A public library has historically been understood to be an unbiased depository for the expression of human thought, controversial or not. It is the duty of the public library to provide free access to all points of view. However, the addition of an item (print or non-print) to the collection in no way represents an endorsement by the library of any theory, idea or policy contained in it.

In the materials of the McKinley Memorial Library, all sides of controversial issues will be represented to the extent that budget constraints, space limitations and availability of materials allow. Selection will not be made on the basis of any assumed approval or disapproval; rather, they will be made solely on the merit of the work as it relates to the Library’s objectives and serves the expressed or anticipated needs and interests of the community. Selection will be based upon the criteria given throughout this policy statement.

Parents, or legal guardians, are responsible for what the minor reads and views; therefore, the overall selection of materials will not be limited by the possibility that these materials might become available to children.

The McKinley Memorial Library subscribes to the principles of the Freedom to Read Statement (Appendix I) and the Freedom to View Statement (Appendix II) of the American Library Association.

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V.  SELECTION CRITERIA

To build collections of merit and significance, materials (print and non-print) are evaluated according to one or more of the following standards.

A. General Criteria:

1. Suitability of physical form for library use.
2. Suitability of subject and style for intended  audience.
3. Present and potential relevance to community needs.
4. Insight into the human and social conditions.
5. Importance as a document of the times.
6. Relation to existing collection and other materials on the subject.
7. Reputation or significance of author/performer
8. Skill, competence and purpose of author/performer
9. Attention of critics and reviewers.
10. Requests by the public.

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B. Material Selection for Youth Services
The principles stated above for the general collection are applicable to the selection materials for children and young adults.

In selecting materials for children and young adults, an attempt will be made to anticipate the diverse aptitudes and interests of users at all ages.

The Library seeks to cooperate with school libraries so that the services of the two agencies may complement each other. The major function of the school library is to furnish curriculum-related material while the public library seeks to provide a more comprehensive collection.

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C. Guidelines for Selection

1. The Library acknowledges a particular interest in William McKinley; therefore, it will seek to acquire materials by and about William McKinley.

2. The Library takes cognizance of the purposes and resources of other libraries and shall not needlessly duplicate functions and materials.

3. Legal and medical works will be acquired only to the extent that they are useful to the layman.

4. Because the Library serves a public embracing a wide range of ages, educational backgrounds and reading abilities, it will always seek to select materials of varying complexity.

5. In selecting materials for the collection, the Library will pay due regard to the special, commercial, industrial, cultural and civic enterprises of the community.

6. Additional consideration affecting materials selection includes: budget, space, the need to replace worn-out standard titles and duplication of materials.

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VI. WEB-BASED RESOURCES

The Library will have a “Web Collection” so as to expand the Library’s collection of resources beyond the physical building. This web collection will include fee and free-based websites and will be available to patrons through the Library’s webpage.

The fee-based websites, or Online Research Databases, are available for the Library’s patrons through the Library website. These Databases are subscribed to by the Library, or OPLIN (Ohio Public Library Information Network), to assist Ohio residents with research. Before a Database is selected the following things are considered: compatibility with existing operating systems; ease of use; price and space requirement of print vs. electronic; accuracy; authority; frequency of updating; demand by library patrons; remote access capability; and cost and usage restrictions.

The free-based websites, websites available from any Internet terminal, are organized for children and adults and are linked from the Library’s website for the patron’s convenience. The websites selected are due to the following reasons: content; authority; popularity; educational; recreational; and research.

Fee and free-based websites will be “weeded” from the collection if any of the reasons for selecting that website changes.

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VII. DONATED MATERIALS

The Library accepts donations of print and audiovisual materials with the provision that library personnel will decide on the disposition of the items. Donated materials may or may not be added to collection based on existing selection criteria and condition of the items. An item will not be added to the collection solely because it is a gift. Once given, no donated materials can be returned to the donor.

Library personnel will select items from donated materials to be added to the library collection. Materials not added to the collection will be offered to the Friends of the Library for a book sale or otherwise disposed of at the discretion of the library staff.

A large number of gifts, which would comprise a special collection, will be evaluated not only by existing selection criteria but also in terms of probable use, physical space requirements, and the cost of processing, cataloging, and maintenance. The library does not accept donations such as periodical gift subscriptions or other materials that require an extended commitment of shelving space or financial resources.

Persons wishing to have verification of their donation for tax purposes are responsible for submitting a Library Donation Information Slip (available at the Reference or Circulation Desks) or other written documentation indicating the type and number of items donated with their name and address. A form letter verifying this information will be sent to the donor; however the items will not be appraised or assigned a monetary value by library staff.

Prospective donors should review the Library's current Guidelines for Material Donations to the McKinley Memorial Library regarding what specific types of materials are being accepted and the proper procedures for donation.

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VIII. MEMORIAL AND HONOR BOOKS

The Library is pleased to accept financial contributions for the purchase of books in memory or honor of a person or event. Donors are encouraged to suggest the type and subject of a book(s) that would be appropriate. Library staff will choose specific titles based on donor request and existing selection criteria for the collection.

After the memorial book is purchased, the donor (and other individuals specified by the donor) will receive a letter acknowledging donation of the specific book(s). A book plate is placed in the front of the book listing the name of the honored person and the donor(s).

Under certain conditions, a book presented by a donor may be accepted as a memorial or honor item, particularly if the book has historical value and/or pertains to President McKinley. Prospective donors should consult the Library Director regarding this type of gift.

Prospective donors should consult the Library's current guidelines for the proper procedures for requesting a memorial or honor book; this includes a form for donor information and book suggestions. This information is available at the Reference Desk.

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IX. COLLECTION MAINTENANCE

In order to maintain the library collections, items will be periodically withdrawn, or "weeded". Factors considered in removing an item include, but are not limited to: physical condition; frequency of circulation/use; currency and accuracy of content; purchase of newer edition or similar item; duplication of material; current relevancy and demand; and age of publication.

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X. MCKINLEY RESOURCE MATERIALS

The McKinley Memorial Library has a large special collection of materials related to President William McKinley in a variety of formats: print, photographs, AV materials, posters, artifacts and various campaign items. The Library maintains this special collection for the public to research the life and times of President William McKinley.

The purpose of the resource materials collection is to have a collection of items about President McKinley and his times that was published or produced during the lifetime of President McKinley and to also have a comprehensive collection of materials that was published or produced after his death. To meet this purpose, the library will strive to collect all materials on President McKinley whether the materials would meet the Materials Selection Policy for the rest of the McKinley Memorial Library collection. The Library will make an effort to collect materials on President McKinley, his Vice Presidents, cabinet members, the McKinley Presidency, and life in the United States, and world, during the lifetime of President McKinley. The collection will include both personal accounts and historical studies and criticisms of the McKinley era.

The items under consideration for the collection will be evaluated for good physical condition and for duplication of items in collection by the McKinley Library staff. McKinley Memorial Library will both purchase and accept donations for this special McKinley collection.


Adopted November 13, 2006
by McKinley Memorial Library Board of Trustees


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Prepared by the Staff of:
McKinley Memorial Library
40 N. Main St.
Niles, Ohio 44446
E-mail:  mckinley@mcklib.org
Phone:  330-652-1704

10/01/07