COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY

MISSION STATEMENT

The mission of the Augusta County Library is to provide the residents of the Augusta County area with materials and services to meet their educational and recreational needs.  The library also recognizes its important role as an independent learning center and as a valuable source of reference and community information.

             In accordance with American Library Association guidelines including the Freedom to Read statement and the Library Bill of Rights, the Augusta County Library sees its all-encompassing responsibilities as collecting materials appropriate to Augusta County, organizing these resources, providing the public with access to the material, offering guidance in the use of resources, and participating in interlibrary loan. This selection policy reflects these responsibilities. The library is part of the educational and cultural life of Augusta County and defines the library’s role in the community as assisting in the democratic process through the free communication of ideas.

RESPONSIBILITY

             The authority for the determination of policy in selection and acquisition of materials is vested in the Augusta County Library Board. The responsibility for material selection rests in the library director assisted by members of the professional staff who are qualified by reason of education and training. The library director performs within the framework of policies determined by the Augusta County Library Board.

LITERARY REVIEW COMMITTEE

             A Literary Review Committee, consisting of two library board members and three staff members including the library director, will be responsible for reviewing a request for reconsideration of material. If a complaint is made, the patron must complete a written Material Reconsideration Form. If the action of the director is questioned by the complainant, the complaint may be referred to the Literary Review Committee.

GENERAL SELECTION PRINCIPLES

             The Augusta County Library addresses the goals for library service through the provision of the best available materials on all levels and in all acceptable formats within the general guidelines of its stated mission and the constrictions imposed by fiscal consideration. Controversial issues will be addressed by the library’s collection through a provision of material that speaks to various sides of an issue while maintaining a balanced collection. Acquisition of a title is based upon the merit of the specific title and the value of that title to the library’s collection. Every effort will be made to provide material of lasting worth yet still be responsive to current demand.

Principles to be followed include:

1.      Weeding of the collection on a thorough and regular basis is as much a part of the collection development process as the purchase of materials.

 2.      Duplication will be avoided except for high demand materials.

 3.      Requests for specialized and ephemeral materials are answered through interlibrary loan.

SPECIFIC POLICIES FOR DESIGNATED AREAS

ADULT MATERIALS

1.  Fiction.

Books in English of a wide interest for the general public which include classics from all periods of literature as well as popular light reading material will be acquired. Since it is the duty of the library to ensure the rights of mature readers, no book will be eliminated from consideration because of language, violence, or frank sexual episodes so long as the use of these elements is an integral part of the work.

2.  Religion.

Expertly written material which presents the fundamental concepts and beliefs of various religions is found in the collection. The library maintains a well-rounded collection on major religions and their sacred writings. The Augusta County Library will not add proselytizing materials to the collection but encourages popular presentations of new ideas and movements in religion.

3.  Health and Medicine.

The Augusta County Library acquires standard and popular materials in the areas of health, nutrition, hygiene, diseases, and medicine aimed at the general public. Scientific and authoritative materials on human sexuality are acquired for the general user of every age and reading level.

4.  Law.

The library may purchase popularly aimed material dealing with either the philosophy of law or specific areas of law such as taxation, family law, and real estate. Laws for Augusta County and the State of Virginia are provided. The laws and regulations of the United States or other states are also available on the Internet.

5.  Government and Economics.

Outright propaganda is avoided. A balanced collection on American government and economics as well as international government and economics is encouraged.

6.  Textbooks.

Textbooks usually will not be added to the collection unless the material is unavailable in another format.

7.  Genealogy.

The collection is limited primarily to how-to materials in the area of genealogy.  The local history collection includes materials on Augusta County and the Shenandoah Valley.  Works by local authors and family histories are found in the collection.  Other genealogical information is available on the Internet.

YOUNG ADULT MATERIALS

            The Augusta County Library acquires materials of interest to junior and senior high school students. The materials are not of a curricular nature although they may supplement the curriculum of the local schools.

1.  Fiction.

Fiction materials are housed in a special location and carry a label with a YA designation.

2.  Nonfiction.

Some nonfiction materials are housed in the Young Adult collection, while other appropriate materials may be found in the adult collection.

JUVENILE MATERIALS

            The Augusta County Library acquires materials which are suitable in interest and comprehension to children from birth through the eighth grade. The standards used to judge adult materials are used in selecting children’s materials. Special emphasis is placed upon artistic and literary merit in the selection process since the collection is promoted as a quality collection.

            A limited number of ephemeral materials will be purchased to satisfy intense, short-lived patron demand. Pre-primers, primers, and other textbooks intended for school reading instruction are not purchased. Recommended books on sex and reproduction are selected and shelved in the appropriate Dewey number.