Last Updated Date
January 10, 2023
The collection development policy of the Yuma County Library District supports the general mission of the Library, Library Bill of Rights* and Freedom to Read Statement* which affirm protection of Constitutional First Amendment freedoms.
The Yuma County Library District, in its role as the center for information, community enrichment, recreational reading, and lifelong learning, provides access to resources in a variety of print, non-print, and electronic formats that meet the varied needs, abilities, and backgrounds of Yuma County’s citizens – encompassing language, cultural, and age differences. Materials selection is performed by the Library Collection Manager and Library District staff. Community needs, collection development criteria, and space and budget limitations determine which items are chosen.
Children and Young Adult materials are selected to encourage lifelong reading interests through recreational enjoyment and intellectual growth. Responsibility for a minor’s access to materials rests with that minor’s parents or legal guardians.
The Library Collection Manager and material selectors are also responsible for regularly evaluating materials in their selection areas, and for deselecting obsolete items.
*As adopted by the Council of the American Library Association
A. THE LIBRARY WILL
• Select, acquire, organize, maintain, share, and encourage the use of print, non-print, and electronic materials reflecting divergent point of view
• Provide a diverse and inclusive collection that contains content by and about a wide array of people and cultures to authentically reflect a variety of ideas, information, stories, and experiences
• Provide a collection that anticipates the needs and numbers of potential users
• Consider public demand, both specific and general, as expressed through requests, suggestions, and use to develop the collection
• Consider the availability of the same, or similar, materials in other libraries or agencies
• Consider the need for all subjects covered and viewpoints expressed
• Consider the effect that subjects and viewpoints selected have on developing a balanced collection
• Consider the unique nature of Branch locations in developing their collections
• Consider the unique nature of digital materials in developing their collections
B. SELECTORS WILL CONSIDER THESE CHARACTERISTICS WHEN SELECTING
• Literary or stylistic quality
• Content created by and representative of marginalized and underrepresented groups
• Reputations, qualifications, and significance of author, producer, or publisher
• Accuracy, currency, timeliness, and validity
• Attention of critics, reviewers, awards and public
• Resources from self-published, independent, small, and local producers
• Physical quality and effectiveness of format and appropriateness of format to subject
• Cost, as measured against competing materials on the same subject
• Resources in formats that meet the needs of users with disabilities
• Availability of discounts and efficiency in vendors used for purchasing
• Suitability for intended audience
• Availability of subscriptions and standing orders for popular materials, reference and nonfiction items published or released annually
C. RECONSIDERATION OF MATERIALS
The responsibility for selection of library materials rests with the Library staff. The use of library materials by patrons is an individual matter. Responsibility for children’s and teen’s use of library materials rests with their parents or legal guardians.
It is possible that an item in the collection may be found objectionable by a particular individual or group.
A patron can object to any material by doing so in writing using the Request for Reconsideration form. An item will be reviewed, as per established procedure.
Please note: One Reconsideration of Material form must be submitted for each material.
• In reviewing the objection, each work will be considered as a whole, and individual passages will not be treated out of context.
• Also considered will be the literary merit of works recognized as classics, even though classic works may contain words or sentiments which, today, are unacceptable.
• No materials shall be excluded from the Library’s collection solely because of coarse language or implicit or explicit treatment of certain situations.
Once a completed, signed form is received by the Library Director, the thoughtful, deliberative process for reconsideration of the library materials identified by the library patron will begin. Please note, the Request for Reconsideration of Materials form, and the written response to it, becomes part of the public record. The Library Director and Library Board of Trustees will review the Request for Reconsideration form at a regular meeting of the Library Board of Trustees. The patron will be notified in writing of the decision.
If the patron does not agree with the decision, then the patron can appeal that determination to the Yuma County Board of Supervisors.
D. DONATIONS/GIFTS
• The Library District accepts donations. The selection standards for purchased items are also used to determine which donated materials will be added to the collection, forwarded to the Friends of Yuma County Libraries, or disposed of in another manner. Patrons may elect to donate materials directly to the Friends group or to one of the Friends groups that support specific Branch libraries.
The Library District has incorporated as part of this policy the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read statement, as adopted by the American Library Association.
Reviewed by Library Board of Trustees__1/10/2023
Adopted by Yuma County Board of Supervisors ____2/06/2023