Collection Development Policy

*Request for Reconsideration Form can be found under the paragraph “Reconsideration of Material Already in the Collection”.

Statement of Objectives

The primary objective for collection development of the Middlebury Public Library is to provide the resources and services necessary to meet the educational, recreational, cultural, and informational needs of the population served, in accordance with the broad service goals of the Library.
The Library provides access to information in the most appropriate formats, whether print, non-print, or electronic. Materials are selected in anticipation of, and in response to, identified community and personal needs. The Library represents as many points of view as possible, irrespective of their general social acceptability, to provide a place where anyone may encounter the original, sometimes unorthodox, and critical ideas so necessary in a society that depends for its survival on free competition of ideas.

  1. No material is excluded because of the race, nationality, religion, gender, sexual orientation, political or social views of the author.
  2. Selection of materials by the Library does not mean the Library endorses the contents or the views expressed in those materials.
  3. The Library endorses the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights (https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill) and follows these guidelines as they pertain to collection development.

Authority & Responsibility for Collection Development

The ultimate responsibility for the selection of all Library materials rests with the Library Director, and, under their direction, is given to the professional staff, who are qualified for this activity by reason of education, training, and experience.

Donations

Donations are accepted with the understanding that they will be used or disposed of as the Library sees fit. The same criterion for their inclusion in the collection is used as for the purchase of new materials. The Library does not provide an evaluation of any gifts for tax deduction or other purposes.

Criteria for Selection

  1. Availability, suitability, and quality of the physical form.
  2. Suitability of subject, style, format, and use for intended audience.
  3. Critics’ reviews and information in professional selection aids.
  4. Need for balance of subjects within the collection.
  5. Need for diverse opinions (minority and majority) on a subject.
  6. Reputation of author, publisher, composer and/or performer.
  7. Availability of shelf space.
  8. Artistic, literary, historic and/or scientific merit.
  9. Awareness of significant new trends in literature, technology, and formats.
  10. Community requests and/or anticipated popular demand (based on usage statistics).
  11. Relationship to existing materials in collection.
  12. Relative importance in comparison with other materials available on the subject.
  13. Cost relative to budget and anticipated use.

Youth Selection

Special consideration taken for materials intended for our youth services department:

Material Selection Statement

Materials are selected to appeal to all age groups. The Library will not attempt to duplicate the collections maintained by various educational institutions in our service area, i.e. school curriculum centers and university media collections. Materials produced primarily for classroom use are not included because, as with other teaching material, they are the primary responsibility of the schools.
The principle of intellectual freedom (https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom) applies to the selection and retention of all types of library materials. Replacements will be added when damaged materials are deemed worthy of replacement, according to the selection guidelines and circulation records.

Public Suggestion

The Library encourages public suggestion of items and subjects to be considered for the collection. Serious consideration will be given to purchasing patron-requested materials when the requests meet collection objectives. Remaining requests may be met through resource sharing with other libraries, electronic retrieval, or other means.

External Electronic Information Resources

Providing connections to global information, services, and networks is not the same as selecting and purchasing material for a library collection. Determining the accuracy or authenticity of electronic information may present special problems. Some information accessed electronically may not meet a library’s selection or collection development policy. It is, therefore, left to each patron to determine what information is appropriate to their needs.

Collection Maintenance

Weeding – Middlebury Public Library is not a library of historical record. To ensure a vital collection of continued value to the district, materials that have outlived their usefulness are withdrawn. An item is considered for discard when it is:

Replacement

Replacements will be added when damaged materials are deemed worthy of replacement, according to the selection guidelines and circulation records. The Library does not automatically replace all materials withdrawn from the collection. The need for replacement is judged by the age of the material and the existence in the system of more current coverage of the same subject; availability of more recent and/or comprehensive materials, or similar material in different format; number of additional copies available in the library; public demand for the title; cost.

Use of the Collection

While anyone is free to select or reject materials for themselves or their own minor child(ren), the freedom of others to read or inquire will not be restricted. Only parents and guardians have the right and responsibility to guide and direct reading, listening, and viewing choices for their own minor child(ren). The Library does not stand in the place of parents (in loco parentis). Parents and guardians, not the Library or staff, have the responsibility to guide and direct the reading, listening, and viewing choices of their own minor child(ren).
The Library collection will be organized, marked, and maintained to help people find the materials they want. Any labeling, sequestering, or alteration of materials because of controversy surrounding the author or the subject matter will not be sanctioned. Library materials are not marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their contents.

Reconsideration of Material Already in the Collection

  1. Individuals who wish to request reconsideration of library materials must fully complete a Request for Reconsideration form, including dates and signature(s), and forward it to the Library Director.
  2. Individuals requesting reconsideration of materials must be residents and provide proof of residency. The Middlebury Public Library taxing district includes Middlebury, Jefferson, and York Townships.
  3. The Library Director will appoint a committee to review each Request for Reconsideration. The committee will consult/consider the following in preparing its report and recommendation:
    a. The Middlebury Public Library Collection Development Policy
    b. The American Library Bill of Rights https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill
    c. The Freedom to Read Statement https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom
    d. The Freedom to View Statement https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomviewstatement
    e. Professional reviews
    f. The literary, historical, cultural, and societal context in which the work was created
  4. The Reconsideration committee will not review more than three (3) items at one time by one person.
  5. An item will be reconsidered only once in a five (5) year period.
  6. An individual may submit up to six item requests within a six-month period.
  7. Materials being reconsidered will remain in the collection for access while reconsideration takes place.
  8. The Director will notify the President of the Middlebury Public Library Board of Trustees when:
    a. a request is submitted, and
    b. a decision is reached by the Director.
  9. The initiator of a request may appeal against the decision of the Library Director to the Board of Trustees.
  10. The decision of the Board will be final and binding.

Request for Reconsideration Form

Board of Trustees Comment September 9, 2021

Intellectual Freedom Statements

The library endorses the following statements as approved by the American Library Association:

Revised & Adopted July 18, 2024