Materials Selected Policy
The Materials Selection Policy of East Rutherford Memorial Library supports the library’s Mission and maintains the following principles:
1. Criteria: Criteria used in materials selection are listed below in alphabetical order:
2. Formats: Formats East Rutherford Memorial Library currently collects include books, audio recordings, DVDs, magazines, newspapers, graphic novels, video games, games, and CD / Book Read-A-Alongs. The library also provides online databases, e-books, and other materials through its membership to the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS). The library does not collect online publishing or illegal materials.
3. Gifts: The library encourages and accepts gifts with the understanding that gifts will be added to the collection only when they meet the same standards required of purchased materials. Gift materials which do not meet those standards, are out-of-date, are unneeded duplicates, or are in a format unsuitable for library use, may be placed on the library’s free shelf or recycled. The library does not provide donation letters for tax or other purposes. Whenever a gift is no longer needed or useful, it will be disposed of in the same manner as materials purchased. The library cannot appraise materials for tax or other purposes.
4. Weeding: The library’s collection is one that is intended to be active, useful, and circulating. Criteria for weeding (i.e., the periodic discarding of library materials) are: outdated or superseded, infrequent use, physical condition, and relevance. Replacements and updated editions are purchased when warranted. The library places all materials on display and, with the exception of multiple summer reading duplicate books, does not store any materials. Weeded materials are placed on the free shelf or recycled.
5. Scope: The library staff will at all times attempt to select materials that represent a wide range of viewpoints and exercise impartiality in all selection activities. The public library is unique among institutions as an unbiased repository for the recorded expression of thought for public use, and therefore provides free access to all points of view. All sides of controversial issues will be represented as far as budget, space, and availability of materials allow. The addition of an item to the collection in no way represents an endorsement by the library. All materials, with the exception of some local, state, or government documents, will be shelved in their proper order on open shelves. Collection depth is judged by frequency of use by the widest range of users in the community.
6. Special Collections: In addition to the requirements of the “general” public served, materials will be selected to meet the needs of such groups as business; the professions; government; community organizations; the homebound; the visually, physically, and mentally disabled; individuals with learning disabilities; adult beginning readers; and people for whom English is not the principal language.
7. Challenged Materials: The library will review the selection of a specific item upon request of a member of the community. Patrons may file a “Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials” form and material challenges will be handled by the staff person to whom they are made, applicable department manager, and assistant director.
8. Library Ethics: Also adopted by the Library Board as part of the Materials Selection Policy, are the following American Library Association statements:
*Library Bill of Rights
*Freedom to Read Statement
*Freedom to View Statement
*Labeling and Rating Systems
Adopted by the Board August 2012.
1. Criteria: Criteria used in materials selection are listed below in alphabetical order:
- Appropriate physical format
- Artistic excellence
- Award-winning or “classic“ titles
- Contemporary or historical significance
- Current interest
- Curricular enrichment
- Entertaining presentation
- Favorable reviews in reviewing sources
- Inclusion in indexes or bibliographies
- Intended age and reading/listening/viewing level
- Patron requests
- Price
- Relation to other materials in order to maintain impartial but comprehensive collection
- Scarcity of materials on a subject/author/performer
- Subject area and collection-development value
- Technical value
- Value as a source/reference materials
2. Formats: Formats East Rutherford Memorial Library currently collects include books, audio recordings, DVDs, magazines, newspapers, graphic novels, video games, games, and CD / Book Read-A-Alongs. The library also provides online databases, e-books, and other materials through its membership to the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS). The library does not collect online publishing or illegal materials.
3. Gifts: The library encourages and accepts gifts with the understanding that gifts will be added to the collection only when they meet the same standards required of purchased materials. Gift materials which do not meet those standards, are out-of-date, are unneeded duplicates, or are in a format unsuitable for library use, may be placed on the library’s free shelf or recycled. The library does not provide donation letters for tax or other purposes. Whenever a gift is no longer needed or useful, it will be disposed of in the same manner as materials purchased. The library cannot appraise materials for tax or other purposes.
4. Weeding: The library’s collection is one that is intended to be active, useful, and circulating. Criteria for weeding (i.e., the periodic discarding of library materials) are: outdated or superseded, infrequent use, physical condition, and relevance. Replacements and updated editions are purchased when warranted. The library places all materials on display and, with the exception of multiple summer reading duplicate books, does not store any materials. Weeded materials are placed on the free shelf or recycled.
5. Scope: The library staff will at all times attempt to select materials that represent a wide range of viewpoints and exercise impartiality in all selection activities. The public library is unique among institutions as an unbiased repository for the recorded expression of thought for public use, and therefore provides free access to all points of view. All sides of controversial issues will be represented as far as budget, space, and availability of materials allow. The addition of an item to the collection in no way represents an endorsement by the library. All materials, with the exception of some local, state, or government documents, will be shelved in their proper order on open shelves. Collection depth is judged by frequency of use by the widest range of users in the community.
6. Special Collections: In addition to the requirements of the “general” public served, materials will be selected to meet the needs of such groups as business; the professions; government; community organizations; the homebound; the visually, physically, and mentally disabled; individuals with learning disabilities; adult beginning readers; and people for whom English is not the principal language.
7. Challenged Materials: The library will review the selection of a specific item upon request of a member of the community. Patrons may file a “Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials” form and material challenges will be handled by the staff person to whom they are made, applicable department manager, and assistant director.
8. Library Ethics: Also adopted by the Library Board as part of the Materials Selection Policy, are the following American Library Association statements:
*Library Bill of Rights
*Freedom to Read Statement
*Freedom to View Statement
*Labeling and Rating Systems
Adopted by the Board August 2012.
