Mission of the Town of Smithfield Library Collection
The mission of the Town of Smithfield Library collection is to provide print and non-print materials that assist community members and visitors in their pursuit of educational objectives, intellectual and emotional growth, the enjoyment of leisure time and practical solutions to daily problems.
Collection Development Policy
Guiding Professional Principals
The Collection Development Policy provides overarching guidelines for determining what to add and retain in the collection and what to discard. The policy also acquaints the public with the principles of selection used to acquire library materials.
The Library acknowledges that each person has information needs that are important to that individual. It also recognizes that it has limited financial resources to respond to these needs. The Library has a responsibility to use funds in ways that are advantageous to the largest number of its constituents. While the Library’s materials collection will not deny any need consistent with its mission, the Library will nevertheless develop its collections with the recognition that it has the ability to meet certain needs more effectively and efficiently than other needs. It is cognizant of the availability of complementary information-giving institutions in the region.
The Library endeavors to build a collection representing varying points of view. The choice of library materials by users is an individual matter. Responsibility for the reading materials of children and adolescents rests with their parents or legal guardians. While patrons may reject materials for themselves and for their children, they cannot exercise censorship to restrict access to the materials by others.
The library adheres to the provisions of the American Library Association (ALA) Library Bill of Rights. We believe in the library user’s freedom to read and to view materials and uphold the principles articulated in the ALA Freedom to Read Statement and the ALA Freedom to View Statement. We believe in the State of Maine’s statute on the confidentiality of library records.
Selection of Print and Non-Print Materials
Selection is the decision to add, retain or remove material as part of the Library’s collection. The ultimate responsibility for selection of library materials rests with the library staff operating within the framework of guidelines enunciated herein.
Criteria used by the Library to evaluate materials for its collection include:
- The overall balance of the collection including coverage of topical areas and representation of diverse points of view
- Popular appeal and demand
- Literary merit and contribution to the field of knowledge
- Significance, timeliness or permanence of subject matter
- Relationship to the existing collection (considering, for example, series already collected, or topics already held)
- Reviews found in professional journals or general periodicals and lists of award winners
- Materials of regional interest (i.e. relating to Smithfield and Maine) and locally produced or authored material
- Appropriateness of physical format
- Budgetary limitations
- Space constraints
- Professional judgment
Donation of Materials
The Library welcomes gifts but accepts them with the understanding that it has the right to handle or dispose of them in the best interest of the Library. Donations shall meet the same selection criteria as purchased materials. If the Library cannot use the item, it will be refused. Items that are badly compromised (in poor physical condition or mildewed) will be refused.
The library does not appraise gifts. If the donor needs an appraisal for income tax purposes, it is the donor’s responsibility to have the appraisal made. If a receipt is requested, the Gift Acknowledgement form may be given to the donor.
When the Library receives a cash gift for the purchase of materials, whether as a memorial or for any other purpose, the general nature of the subject area of the materials to be purchased will be based upon the wishes of the donor. The Library in accordance with the needs and selection policy of the Library will make the selection of specific titles.
Donations of non-book items (such as shelving or furniture) will be considered within the context of the Library’s daily operations and the needs of its patrons.
Collection Maintenance
Removal from collection: In order to keep the collection vital and useful, a continual assessment process takes place. Items are withdrawn if worn, outdated, of little historical significance, or no longer in demand. Materials are withdrawn at the decision of the library staff.
Duplicate copies: Because of cost and space limitations, multiple copies of a title are not often provided. Only in rare circumstances will duplicates be obtained or retained.
Request for Reconsideration of Materials
In the event that a library member objects to any materials included or excluded from the collection, the Library staff stands ready to review individual opinions upon written request using the Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form below. Requests for reconsideration may be made only by registered patrons. The appropriateness for the collection is not based on a single passage from the text or screen, but the work is evaluated as a whole. The Library staff will review the request, interview the requestor, and issue a written response. Challenged materials will remain in the collection until the final decision is made.
Revision or Review of the Collection Development Policy
Because of the needs of the community change, this Collection Development Policy is revised as needed and/or is reviewed at least every five years.