Collection Policy

Collection Policy – Whitinsville Social Library

Mission Statement

The Whitinsville Social Library serves the entire Northbridge community as a welcoming place that enlightens, informs, and entertains. We strive to connect people to a variety of library materials, resources and experiences that support lifelong learning and literacy.

Collection Development Policy Purpose

The purpose of the collection development policy is to provide guidelines for acquisition and withdrawal decisions, the allocation of resources, and strategic planning in accordance with the library’s mission statement in order to establish a collection of works that meets the educational, recreational and business needs of the community.

The library seeks to provide a welcoming environment, a qualified staff, a wide variety of materials in all formats, programs for patrons of all ages and access to current technology.  In so doing, the library subscribes to the principles in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, the Library Bill of Rights adopted by the American Library Association, and the Freedom to Read Statement of the American Library Association and the American Book Publisher's Council. (see appendices).

Whitinsville Social Library holds the choice of reading and viewing materials as a purely individual matter. Patrons are free to pass up books and other materials by not using them. Patrons may not exercise censorship by restricting or withholding library resources for other members of the community. Responsibility for materials selected, read, heard, or viewed by children and teens rests solely with their legal guardians.

Responsibility for Selection

Ultimate responsibility for materials selection rests with the Director who works within the framework of policies as established by the Board of Trustees. The selection of materials for children (age 0-18) is primarily the responsibility of the Youth Services Librarian under the supervision of the Library Director.

Criteria for Selection

Materials will be selected to meet the informational, educational, and recreational needs and interests of the community. Materials will represent a variety of viewpoints on current and historical issues. Staff will select materials in a variety of formats using published reviews, professional and trade publications, and patron requests and recommendations.

General selection criteria for all materials includes:

• anticipated and popular demand
• accuracy and currency of information
• age appropriateness
• cost
• historical significance
• literary and/or artistic merit
• significance of the author
• the strengths and weaknesses of the existing collection

An item need not meet all of these criteria to be selected. Local authors, self-published materials, and patron requests will be evaluated based on the above selection criteria as well as the availability of materials in the libraries of the CW MARS network and Massachusetts.

Materials published or released in new formats will be considered for the collection when there is evidence that a significant portion of the local population has the required equipment to make use of the format.  Availability of items in the format, the cost per item, and the Library’s ability to obtain and circulate the items will also be factors in determining when a new format will be acquired.

Collection Maintenance and Weeding

A strong collection requires ongoing evaluation and maintenance. Maintenance will most often occur when shelving space is limited.  Materials will regularly be weeded from the collection based on the following criteria:

• outdated or superseded
• infrequent use
• physical condition
• relevance

Replacements and updated editions are purchased when warranted.  Discarded materials may be sold, donated, or recycled as the Library determines.  The Friends of Whitinsville Social Library may sell discarded materials to fundraise for the Library.

Standards for materials withdrawal are detailed in the CREW Manual (see appendices).

Gifts/Donations

The Library welcomes gifts of funds to enrich the collection   New or used donated materials are subject to the same criteria as purchased materials. Gifts of materials are accepted with the understanding that they may be utilized or disposed of at the Library's discretion.  To donate historical items, fill out the Whitinsville Social Library Gift of Deed form.

Monetary gifts will be applied to the selection of materials by the director in consultation with library staff and the donor as appropriate. The Library reserves the right to determine the use and disposition of all gifts unconditionally.

Reconsideration of Material

Anyone who wishes the Library to reconsider the acquisition or removal of an item must fill out a “Request for Reconsideration of Material” form (see Attachment). These forms are available at the desk. The request is reviewed by the Director and, if appropriate, the Youth Services Librarian. The Director will issue a response.  If the complainant is not satisfied, they may appeal to the Board of Trustees. The decision of the Board is final. Above all, the Board of Trustees has as its concern the fairness of such a hearing so as to protect the rights of all who are involved.

Appendices

• Library Bill of Rights
• American Library Association: Freedom to Read Statement
• Libraries and The First Amendment and Censorship
• CREW Manual
• Whitinsville Social Library Historical Room - Deed of Gift
• Request for Reconsideration of Materials form (see Attachment)

 Approved by the Whitinsville Social Library Board of Trustees, 12/7/2021; Amended 4/5/2022