Adopted October 19, 1993
Reviewed December 12, 2005

A. Objectives
The purpose of the Lakes Country Public Library is to provide all individuals in the community with carefully selected books and other materials to aid the individual 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/collections 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 Library Bill of Rights and The Freedom to Read Statement have been endorsed by the Lakes Country Public Library Board of Trustees and are integral parts of the policy.

Because these are changing times, this policy will be reviewed and/or revised as the need arises.

B. Responsibility for Selection
The ultimate responsibility for selection of library materials rests with the library director who operates within the framework of the policies determined by the Lakes Country Public Library Board of Trustees. This responsibility may be shared with other members of the library staff. However, because the director must be available to answer to the library board and the general public for actual selections made, the director has the authority to reject or select any item contrary to the recommendations of the staff.

C. Criteria for Selection
1. The main points considered in the selection of materials are:
a. existing library holdings
b. suitability of material to the community
c. individual merit of each item
d. budget
e. popular appeal/demand
2. Reviews are the major source of information about new materials.
3. 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 of 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.

D. 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.

E. Gifts and Donations
The library accepts gifts of books and other materials with the understanding that they will be added to the collection only if needed. If they are not needed because of duplication, condition, or dated information the director can dispose of them as he/she sees fit. The same criteria of selection which are applied to purchased materials are applied to gifts. Memorial gifts of books or money are also accepted with suitable bookplates placed in the book. Specific memorial books will be ordered for the library on request of a patron. Book selection will be made by the director if no specific book is wanted. We encourage and appreciate gifts and donations.

F. Weeding
An up-to-date, attractive and useful collection is maintained through a continual discarding and replacing process. Replacement of worn volumes is dependent upon current demand, usefulness, more recent acquisitions, and availability of newer editions. Weeding is the responsibility of the library director.

G. Problem area
The Lakes Country 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 on the basis of the principles stated in this policy.

Responsibility for the reading and viewing of materials by children rests with their parents or legal guardians. Selection of library materials will not be inhibited 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 injury or theft.

H. Challenged Materials
Although materials are carefully selected, there can arise difference of opinion regarding suitable materials. Patrons requesting that material be withdrawn from or restricted within the collection may complete a "Statement of Concern About Library Resources" form which is available in the library. The inquiry will be placed on the agenda of the next regular meeting of the Lakes Country Public Library Board of Trustees.