Collection

Development

1. Kanawha Public Library strives to provide books and other library materials of value and interest for information and enlightenment, for all the people of the community. The library attempts to maintain a collection of carefully selected representative book and non-book materials that are of both current interest and permanent value with a view toward satisfying all age levels, a broad range of viewpoints, varying degrees of reading complexity, and a full scope of educational backgrounds.

2. The Kanawha Public Library does not restrict access to library materials except for the express purpose of protecting material from mutilation and theft. Materials are shelved for the convenience of their general audience and according to shelf space. Children, young adults, and adults may use any items in the library collection.

3. Library materials will never be excluded because of the race or nationality of the author, or the social, political, or religious views of the author. The library will try to provide materials representing all points of views concerning current problems and issues at the local, national, and international levels.

4. The Kanawha Public Library supports The Library Bill of Rights, The Freedom to Read Statement, and The Freedom to View Statement of the American Library Association. See Appendices.

5. Because of the volume of publishing, as well as the limitations of budget and space, the Kanawha Library must be selective in meeting community interests and needs. The main points considered in the selection and purchase of materials include:

·        Individual literary merit or technical quality of each item

·        Popular appeal/demands—checking current bestseller’s lists

·        Patron requests & circulation statistics

·        Community needs—general knowledge of director and staff

·        Existing library holdings—including authors and series considerations

·        Accessible format and /or equipment needed for use

·        Representation of diverse points of view

·        Consultation of book review resources such as Booklist, Goodreads, New York Times book review, Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, etc.

·        Budget and space

6. Children’s and young adult materials will follow the same guidelines for selection and purchase; however, special consideration is given to the different levels as follows:

•          Board Book/Beginning Reader materials are intended for the introduction of the very young to the joys of listening to stories, handling printed materials, and starting to read on their own. They are labeled “BDBK” and “BR” before the call number. These materials are often smaller and constructed more durably. Visual and tactile appeal is important.

•          Easy Reader materials are intended to serve the needs and interests of pre-school age children and beginning readers through second grade. They are marked with an “E” before the call number. These materials are intended to foster an enjoyment and appreciation of reading and being read to for young children. Special attention should be given to these materials in terms of appeal to the intended readers. Illustrations, type, text, binding, and paper should combine to produce an integrated and attractive format.

•          Juvenile materials are selected for children from the third grade through the sixth grade in elementary school. These materials are marked with a “J” before the call number. They should provide ample resources for reading for pleasure and information. They should be suited to a wide variety of interests for this age level. Special attention should be given to these materials in terms of appeal to the intended readers. Illustrations, type, text, binding, and paper should combine to produce an integrated and attractive format. The subject and vocabulary should be suited to the appropriate reading and comprehension level.

•          Young adult materials are intended to serve patrons between the ages of 12-18 (junior high and high school age). These materials are marked with “YA” before the call number.  Special attention is given to materials of particular interest to this group, including teenage stories of adolescence and growing to maturity, and so forth. Young adults are also encouraged to use the adult non-fiction collection.

7.The Library Director acts as the agent of the Board of Trustees in book selection.

8. Selection of textbooks and curriculum-related materials will not be made except as such materials serve the general public. Legal and medical works will be acquired only to the extent that they are useful to the general public.

9. Selection must meet not just the needs of those who use the library regularly, but anticipate the needs of the potential user.

Gifts and Donations

1. The Kanawha Public Library acknowledges the fact that gifts and donations have been vital to the establishment and growth of the library. Without such gifts, we would not have the present facility or collection of materials. The Board appreciates and encourages gifts and donations to the library.

2. Books or non-book materials presented to the library will be evaluated and accepted using the same selection guidelines used in the purchase of new materials.

3. The library may accept special collections; however, they may not be kept together as a separate entity but may be integrated into the general collection.

4. When the library receives a cash gift for the purchase of books or other materials, the library director will select the items.

5. When a memorial tribute is purchased by the donor and given to the library, it will be received according to the above stated criteria for gift materials. Memorial tributes will be identified with an inscription in the book or item.

6. In the case of a cash memorial tribute, the general nature of the book or its subject area will be based upon the interests of the deceased, the wishes of the donor, and the needs of the library.

7. The donor of any gift should understand that the library reserves the right to assign the gifts to the appropriate section of the library or to dispose of them in some other way if they do not meet the library’s selection criteria. If the donor wishes the material which is not added returned, he/she should state this when the gifts are given.

8. The library does not accept responsibility for notifying donors of withdrawal or replacement of gift items.

9. By law, the library is not allowed to appraise the value of donated items. However, the library can provide an acknowledgement of receipt if requested.

Weeding/Removing Materials

1. The collection shall be weeded on a regular basis in order to maintain attractiveness and currency of materials. This removing of materials also satisfies state of Iowa library standards to maintain accreditation and state funding.

2. The library staff, with approval of the library director, shall retain the right to dispose of weeded materials in any way.

3. Factors considered when weeding include the following:

·        Age of the material based on copyright

·        Usage based on the latest circulation data

·        Literary merit

·        Accuracy of material

·        Needs and interests of the community

·        Physical consideration

·        Availability of other materials on the subject

Requests for Reconsideration

1. The Kanawha Public Library recognizes that some materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. We are sorry if any material in our collection is offensive. Selection of materials will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the basis of the principles stated in our policies.

2. As stated earlier, the Kanawha Public Library supports The Library Bill of Rights and its amendments as adopted by the American Library Association. This document includes this statement: “As a responsibility of library service, books and other library materials selected should be chosen for values of interest, information and enlightenment of all the people of the community.” The library staff realizes that everyone’s tastes are different and that it is our responsibility to provide materials on a multitude of subjects and viewpoints in many styles.

3. The Kanawha Public Library believes in the rights of a free press as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America. Thus, the library collection, protected by the First Amendment, is a marketplace of ideas that are contained in varied and divergent materials.

4. The Kanawha Public Library believes that the responsibility for monitoring a child’s reading, watching, or listening belongs to the parents or legal guardians of that child. The library is not responsible for such monitoring and will not refrain from selecting materials based on the possibility that any materials may come into the possession of children.

5. Individuals from the Kanawha community questioning material in the library collection are invited to speak with the Director and may be given copies of this policy and collection policies. If any local patron honestly feels that a book or other item in our collection does not belong in the library of a free society, he/she is invited to fill out a “Request for Reconsideration” form available at the staff desk (see appendices to view form) and return it to the Director. Only one item at a time will be reviewed so that thoughtful attention can be given to it by the Director and Board of Trustees. The Board of Trustees will review the form during a regularly scheduled board meeting and will respond in writing as soon as practical. Challenged materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their contents, and no material will be sequestered except to protect it from damage or theft. Once the Board of Trustees has made a judgment on a Request for Reconsideration, the result shall be considered final for one year. If the reconsideration process ends with the item being withdrawn, that action will not be held as evidence of the Director having done a poor job of selection.

Request for Reconsideration Form is available at the circulation desk at the library.