Collection Development

III. COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT 


  • Principles of Intellectual Freedom


The Library supports the principles of intellectual freedom as expressed in the Freedom to Read Statement and the Library Bill of Rights adopted by the American Library Association. The Library therefore grants the right of all individuals to seek and receive information from all points of view without restriction as guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution, protected by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and in accordance with Vermont State law (Title 22 V.S.A. § 67).


  • Responsibility for Selection of Materials

    1. The Library Director is ultimately responsible for the selection of Library materials. In their selections, the Library Director will utilize professional judgment and expertise; knowledge and understanding of the community’s needs, interests and requests; knowledge and understanding of the collection as a whole; familiarity with authors, illustrators and publishers; professional reviewing media; standard book lists; and recommendations from professional journals.

    2. The Library welcomes suggestions and requests from its users. All suggestions and requests will receive careful consideration in terms of overall Library objectives and the existing Library collection.


  • Guidelines for Selection of Materials

    1. The New Haven Community Library will strive to develop and maintain a patron-oriented collection of both current and permanent value. Library resources and materials are developed and managed to meet the cultural, informational, educational, and recreational needs of all persons in the community.

    2. The Library Director will continually evaluate the Library’s resources and holdings and will attempt to provide materials on a wide range of subjects in order to maintain a well balanced collection for all ages and reading levels that represents the broad range of human experience. 

 

  1. In keeping with the Library’s financial and inclusivity objectives, hardcover or trade-sized books will be prioritized for purchase because of their durability and font size. 

 

  1. A special effort will be made to include materials about Vermont and material by Vermont authors, especially local history.

 

  1. No materials shall be excluded or included based solely on the author’s race, age, religion, color, sex, sexual orientation, ethnicity, ancestry, genetic information, marital/familial status, gender identity, pregnancy status, disability, national origin, or views.

  2. It is understood that the Library Director, Board of Trustees, and Library staff need not endorse any idea or viewpoint contained in the materials that the Library makes available.


  • Weeding, Withdrawal, and Disposal of Materials 


Materials which are no longer useful in the light of the stated mission and objectives of the Library will be systematically removed from the collection by the Library Director. 

 

The decision to remove an item from the collection will be based on a number of factors including, but not limited to publishing date, frequency of circulation, community interest, availability of newer or more valid materials and physical condition. 

 

Items dealing with local history are an exception, as are certain classics and award-winning children’s books. Fiction that was once popular but no longer in demand and non-fiction books that are no longer useful are withdrawn from the collection.

 

Withdrawn books are donated to the Friends of the Library for book sales. The proceeds from such sales are used for the benefit of the library. Books that are not sold will be disposed of at the discretion of the Friends of the Library.


  • Availability of Materials for People with Standard Print Disabilities


The Library Director will maintain awareness of the availability of materials for people with standard print disabilities. The Library will work with the Vermont Department of Libraries’ ABLE Library to procure items as the need arises. Other materials and equipment may be procured as the need arises and resources allow. The community will be kept informed of these items.



  • Procedure for Review of Selections


Patrons objecting to Library materials will be given a copy of the Collection Development Policy and will be asked to complete and submit a Request for Reconsideration; the form should be submitted to the Library Director for consideration. If the complainant is not satisfied with the Library Director’s decision, the Board of Trustees will review the material and make a final judgment. Items under consideration will remain in circulation and programming until a final decision is made by the Library Director and or the Board of Trustees.

Revised & Approved 12/12/2024