Library Material Selection Policy
Answer
3.0 LIBRARY MATERIAL SELECTION POLICY
The Library subscribes to the “Statements of Intellectual Freedom” adopted by the Canadian Library Association.
All persons in Canada have the fundamental right, as embodied in the nation’s Charter of Rights, to have access to all expressions of knowledge, creativity, and intellectual activity, and to express their thoughts publicly. This right to intellectual freedom is essential to the health and development of Canadian society.
Libraries have a basic responsibility for the development and maintenance of intellectual freedom.
It is the responsibility of libraries to guarantee and facilitate access to all expressions of knowledge and intellectual activity, including those which some elements of society may consider to be unconventional, unpopular, or unacceptable. To this end, libraries shall acquire and make available the widest variety of materials.
It is the responsibility of libraries to guarantee the right of free expression by making available all the libraries public facilities and services to all individuals and groups who need them.
Libraries should resist all efforts to limit the exercise of these responsibilities while recognizing the right of criticism by individuals and groups.
All employees, employers and volunteers have a duty, in addition to their institutional responsibilities, to uphold these principles.
The presence of a book, periodical, or other material in the library does not constitute an endorsement of its contents.
3.1 Library materials are available to any library patron, regardless of age. The board believes in the right and obligation of parents and legal guardians to guide their children in selection of materials consistent with their family values system.
3.2 The library will make every reasonable effort to provide materials, either by purchase or through cooperation with other libraries, which will help to meet its objectives.
3.3 Materials provided will meet high standards of quality in content, expression, and format.
3.4 Materials may include books, pamphlets, audio visual material, magazines, maps, audio books.
3.5 Materials for purchase are considered on the basis of:
a) Overall purpose
b) Timeliness
c) Popular demand
d) Quality of writing/production
e) Reputation and significance of the author, composer, artist, etc.
f) Format and price
g) Canadian and/or Albertan content
3.6 Gifts and donations will be accepted as they pertain to the objectives of the library, at the discretion of the Manager. Donations not used will be placed on a book sale, or discarded for recycling.
3.7 The library will endeavour to maintain a balance in all classes of library materials; educational, recreational, children, adults, printed, electronic, also recognizing the need for multilingual materials. The library will cooperate with, but cannot perform the functions of, school libraries or other institutional libraries that are primarily designed to meet curricular needs.
3.8 Final responsibility for selection of library materials rests with the Library Manager.
3.9 Final responsibility for resolution of complaints concerning library materials rests with the Board.