Collection Development

The Highland City Library Collection Development Policy exists to serve as a guide in the selection of materials and to inform the public about the principles upon which selections are made.

Principles of Selection

The objective of the Library's collection is to support learning and provide entertainment for members of the community. Within the limits of space and budget, the collection offers patrons materials in a choice of format, treatment, and level of difficulty. In this way most individual library needs can be met and service provided to individuals of all ages.

The Library recognizes that Highland residents have diverse interests, backgrounds and needs. The collection reflects, as closely as possible, the interests of the majority while not neglecting the equally important interests and views of minorities within the local, national and international communities. The Library's role is to provide materials which will allow individuals to access information to make their own decisions.

It should be recognized that some materials chosen may be offensive, shocking or boring to some individuals, but may be meaningful and significant to others. It is the responsibility of individuals to limit their library use to books and materials which are consistent with their individual tastes. While everyone is free to reject for themselves, and their children, materials of which they do not approve, they may not restrict the freedom of others to read or inquire.

The inclusion of an item in the collection is not to be considered an endorsement, official or otherwise, by the Library. The Library neither approves nor disapproves the views expressed in materials included in the collection. The Library cannot exclude all materials that could conceivably result in mental or physical injury to some individual, since theoretically any material could be harmful to someone if improperly used. Materials in the collection are arranged in a way to facilitate access to information. No restriction is placed on their use except for the purposes of protecting them from theft or damage.

Selection Criteria

Ultimate responsibility for materials selection rests with the Library Director who operates within the framework of policies determined by the Library Board and is responsible for developing procedures for material selection that are governed by this policy. Library staff may be assigned subject areas to develop. Specific criteria for individual subject areas, as well as for differing age level materials, are contained in the Collection Management Guidelines. The selection of materials is characterized by open-mindedness and responsiveness to the changing needs of the citizens of Highland. Materials are evaluated as complete works, and not on the basis of a particular passage or passages.

All acquisitions, whether purchased or donated, are evaluated by the following standards. An item need not meet all of the criteria to be acceptable, nor will any single criterion be decisive.

Public demand
Quality of content, including accuracy, timeliness, literary or artistic merit
Quality and suitability of the format
Social significance
Reputation of author and/or publisher
Inclusion in list/s of recommended titles, standard bibliographies, and/or award winners
Importance of subject matter to the collection
Scarcity of material on the subject and availability elsewhere
Price

The Library acquires materials in as much as space and budget allow.

The Library does not buy pornography (as defined by the Utah State Code, Title 76- 10-1203) or materials which trade exclusively in sensationalism or would offend community standards.

Suggestions from patrons are encouraged and will be given due consideration.

In selecting library materials for children, the Library's objective is to provide a collection that meets the informational, recreational, educational, and cultural needs of children from preschool age through sixth grade and young adults from seventh grade through twelfth grade. However, resources of the entire Library are accessible to them as the need arises. Selection of adult material will not be restricted by the possibility that these materials may come into the possession of minors.

The collection contains materials which express a wide variety of views and are suitable for all ages and abilities. It is, therefore, the responsibility of parents or legal guardians to guide the reading, viewing, and listening choices of their children and young adults, and to decide what their children may or may not use from this collection.

In providing materials for student use, the Library cannot provide multiple copies of individual books or textbooks for school assignments, nor can it duplicate subject materials extensively.

Collection Maintenance

In order to maintain a current collection which meets the needs of the community, examination of materials is an ongoing process. When library books lose the value for which they were originally selected, they should be withdrawn. An item is considered for discard when it is:

Obsolete, misleading or outdated
Worn beyond use
Damaged
No longer circulating and/or used for reference purposes
One of many copies of a formerly popular title.

Space availability and low circulation over a period of time are other factors that may influence the withdrawal decision.

Withdrawn materials are not automatically replaced. Replacement is considered in relation to adequate coverage in a specific subject area, availability of more current or better titles, suitability according to this selection policy and demand for the title. Gifts, including memorial items, are subject to these withdrawal and replacement policies.

Discarded library books, magazines, pamphlets, records, etc., may not be reserved for specific individuals. They may be offered for sale, on a first-come, first-served basis, at the library. Donations of discarded materials may also be made, at the discretion of the Director, to neighboring libraries, educational institutions or charitable organizations.

Gifts

The Library accepts gifts of materials with the understanding that the Library may make whatever use of the material it feels appropriate. No restrictions on the Library's use of gift materials may be made by the donor.

Gifts become the Library's property upon receipt; they may not be reclaimed. Materials not needed in the collection will be placed in the Library's book sale; donated to other libraries, educational institutions or charitable organizations; or discarded. Donated materials added to the collection are subject to the same withdrawal and replacement criteria as materials purchased by the Library.

It is the policy of the Library not to accept special collections of gift materials if the condition of acceptance requires that they be kept together as a separate physical entity. Further, the Library shall not accept as a gift any printed or manuscript items, or any objects if the condition of acceptance requires permanent exhibition of the item or object. Upon request, a note of receipt will be issued for donated items. However, it is the donor's responsibility to determine the fair market value of the donated materials.

Reconsideration of Library Materials

Any library patron who is a resident of Highland may question the presence of an item in the Library's collection. If the patron concludes that a specific item does not meet the guidelines of the Materials Selection Policy, he or she may complete a "Material Reconsideration Form." The completed form will be reviewed by the Library Director, and the patron will be informed of the disposition of the request.

Patrons not satisfied with this disposition may then appeal to the Library Board through the Library Director, who will forward the request to the Board along with staff recommendations. After reading the item in question and full consideration of the specific material, the Library Board shall make final determination of the matter. The patron shall be notified of this action in a timely manner.

Approved by Highland City Library Board May 28, 2008
Reviewed and re-approved by the Library Board April 28, 2010; March 27, 2013

Collection Development Policy (PDF)