The Philosophy of Materials Selection

The mission of Cedar Mill Community Library is to provide materials and information services for all members of our changing community. The Library will place special emphasis on helping children become lifelong readers, learners, and library users.

The Cedar Mill Community Library Association Board recognizes American democracy can only function if a full range of human thought and ideas is accessible to the people. Proponents of various points of view must be free to make their cases before the individual and collective judgment of their fellow citizens. This principle, guaranteed by the First Amendment of the Constitution, protects the free expression of ideas. American public libraries are forums for information and provide access to ideas. All material housed in American public libraries is considered constitutionally protected under the First Amendment unless judicial action deems it unprotected.

The Board recognizes the rich diversity within our community. It is committed to making available the widest variety of views and modes of expression, including some that may be unusual, unorthodox, or unpopular. This does not imply numerical balance of titles on controversial subjects.

The Library does not promote particular beliefs or views. Selection of any item is not an endorsement of the author's viewpoint. The Library protects the rights of the individual to have access to information from diverse points of view. Individuals may select materials for themselves and guide their children's reading, but they shall not restrict the freedom of others to read or inquire. The Library does not stand "in loco parentis."

The Board adopts and supports the American Library Association's (ALA) Library Bill of Rights and all ALA interpretations pertinent to the selection and use of library materials. The Board also upholds ALA's Intellectual Freedom Statement, Freedom to Read Statement and Freedom to View Statement. Principles stated in these documents are considered integral parts of Cedar Mill Community Library policy. (Full texts are on file in the Library or available from the Executive Director.)

The Process of Materials Selection

Materials selection shall reflect the Library's mission. Responsibility for selection of materials, within policy guidelines, rests with the Executive Director who shall authorize qualified staff to assist with selection. Authority for policy determination for the selection and acquisition of library materials rests with the Board.

Factors to be considered in adding specific materials to the Library's collection shall include: present collection composition, demand, timeliness, the current audience, significance of subject, suitability of physical form to library use, permanent value as source material, budgetary or space restrictions, viewpoint diversity, and the contribution of a work to its subject area. An additional factor is the availability of materials in other Portland metro area and Washington County libraries, and the cooperative collection development efforts among such libraries. Both the adult and youth collections will contain supplementary sources for student use, but the Library cannot provide sole curriculum support. The Library usually will not purchase textbooks.

Suggestions of items and subjects to be considered for inclusion in the Library collection by the public are encouraged. Professional staff shall regularly consider all suggestions for purchase according to the materials selection policy.

Monetary donations and gifts of materials will be accepted by the Library. Donors should understand that gifts of materials will be added to the collection if they meet the same selection criteria required of materials purchased by the library. Gift materials not meeting those criteria will be given to other organizations, sold, exchanged, or discarded.

Professional staff will determine whether a monetary donation is designated for a specific item or a general category, for example, children's videos or audio books. The staff will then use the funds within the guidelines of the selection policy. Upon request, the Library will provide the donor with a letter for tax purposes acknowledging receipt of the gift.

Professional staff will discard materials from the collection as an ongoing and important part of collection maintenance. Criteria for discarding shall follow the same guidelines used for materials selection, with the additional criterion of an item's physical condition. Rules for discarding materials shall not be used to sanction the removal of controversial library materials.

The Library will not process, shelve or label materials to reflect a value judgment or suggest the point of view or bias. All materials shall be freely and easily accessible to all members of the public. Children are not limited to the children's or young adult area collections.

Cedar Mill Community Library strives to provide materials for the interest and information of all people in the community. It is inevitable that there will be disagreement on the merit of various items. While unable to read or review each item before ordering, the library selection staff will use standard review sources as much as possible.

Reconsideration of Materials

The Board recognizes the right of individuals to question materials in the library collection. People who have concerns or complaints about library materials are encouraged to discuss their questions with the Executive Director or Department Head(s). A copy of this policy will be given to the patron.

People who wish a more formal resolution of the issue may then submit a "Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials" form. Professional staff, authorized by the Director to select materials for the Library, will examine the completed form and the specific material in question. They will seek reviews and decide whether the material conforms to the Materials Selection Policy. Staff will recommend a course of action to the Executive Director who will act as the spokesperson to the concerned patron. The Director will send a written response within 30 days following the receipt of the complainant's completed reconsideration form.

Individuals may request time on the Library Board agenda if dissatisfied with the course of action decided by library staff. Such a request must be in writing and received by the President of the Board at least 20 days before the Board meeting at which it will be considered. The Board shall send the complainant written notice of the Board action. The completed decision on reconsideration of a specific title shall remain in effect for three years.

Review of the Materials Selection Policy

The Executive Director and the Board will review the Materials Selection Policy periodically. This will ensure the policy remains responsive to the changing goals and objectives of the Cedar Mill Community Library Association.

Adopted by the Cedar Mill Community Library Association Board on November 16, 1993.

Updated February 16, 2007