Collection Development Policy

Purpose
The Boulder Junction Public Library provides its patrons with carefully selected materials to aid in the pursuit of education, information, research, and pleasure.

The library recognizes its responsibility to have available a representative selection of materials on subjects of interest to its users. The library takes no sides on public issues; does not attempt to promote any beliefs or points of view; nor does it endorse the opinions expressed in the materials held. The library provides a variety of materials, within the limitations of space, budget, and availability, to enable people to make their own decisions.

The Boulder Junction Public Library endorses the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights (Appendix B) and Freedom to Read Statements (Appendix C) which affirm that free and convenient access to ideas, information, and the creative experience is of vital importance to every citizen today.

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 Boulder Junction Public Library Board of Trustees. This responsibility may be shared with other members of the library staff; however, the Library Director has the final authority over selection.

The Library Director will consider the following criteria during selection process:
1. Individual merit of each item
2. Contribution item will make to existing library collection
3. Popular demand/appeal
4. Relevance to community needs
5. Attention of critics and reviewers
6. Budget and space limitations

Collection Maintenance:
An up-to-date, attractive, and useful collection will be maintained through a continual discarding and replacing process. Replacement of volumes is dependent upon current demand, usefulness, recent acquisitions, and availability of newer editions.

Weeding the collection is the responsibility of the Library Director and is authorized by the Board of Trustees. Weeding should be done on a continual, rotating basis to ensure all areas of the collection are weeded at least every five years. Withdrawn materials will be handled by the Library Director and placed in the used book sale or discarded according to the Director’s judgment.

 

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Adopted July 2001
Revised November 2008
Revised November 2020