This policy functions as a general guide for the selection of materials that enable the library to meet the goals enumerated in its mission statement. More specific or comprehensive policy statements clarifying special areas will be appended to this document on an as-needed basis.

Selection Philosophy

Materials for the library collection are chosen to serve the informational, educational, and recreational needs of the community. The primary goal of selection is to provide the best possible collection with the financial resources available and according to community standards. The decision to purchase any item for the collection is usually based on demand or anticipated need.

1. Selection based on demand: We believe that the library patron is an important part of the selection process. An individual request from a patron for a title is usually honored if the request conforms to the guidelines outlined in this policy statement. The library has suggestion boxes at various locations and request forms at all public service desks. Suggestions regarding services and other aspects of library operations are also encouraged.
2. Selection based on need: Some materials are chosen for the purpose of updating and developing specific subject areas. Materials added in this manner are selected from reviews, availability lists, vendors' catalogs, bibliographies, and local experts. The library staff is constantly gathering information concerning the needs of library users by means of surveys, circulation statistics, interlibrary loan requests, and patron input. Follow-up studies are conducted on those items or subject areas for which demand is constant.

The library strives to present materials representing all sides of an issue in a neutral, unbiased manner. The existence of a particular viewpoint in the collection is an expression of the library's policy of intellectual freedom, not an endorsement of that particular point of view. The library provides service to all within the framework of its rules and regulations and does not knowingly discriminate in its materials selection on the basis of race, creed, gender, occupation, or financial position.

The Cedar Rapids Public Library endorses the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS, the STATEMENT ON LABELING, the LABELS AND RATING SYSTEMS, the FREEDOM TO READ STATEMENT and the FREEDOM TO VIEW STATEMENT of the American Library Association, which has been included in this manual and is intended to be part of this policy statement.

Responsibility for Materials Selection

The responsibility for materials selection and the development of the library collection rests with the director, who works under the authority of and in accordance with the policies of the board of trustees. The library collection development specialist carries out the actual selection of materials with the assistance of the library staff that has been assigned to help develop certain areas.

Materials may be available in a variety of formats. Factors governing the choice of format include anticipated use, storage requirements, ease of access, and the format of earlier editions. When all other factors are equal, ease of access by the public should be the primary consideration.

Selection Guidelines

1. Adult and young adult books are selected according to a variety of criteria in addition to demand or need. The library does not add abridged versions of books to the collection. As a general rule the library will acquire only works of interest to the layperson. The library does not support educational curricula through the purchase of textbooks. However, textbooks may be added to the collection if they provide the best or only sources of information on a subject or if they complement an existing area with another perspective.
Price, accuracy, and timeliness are other factors influencing selection. The library does not commonly purchase out-of-print material for the collection. No attempt is made to purchase all the works by a certain author.
2. Periodicals are added to the browsing collection on the basis of demand. The library’s primary collection of periodicals for research is available through on-line databases.
3. Newspapers are an important source of information. The library attempts to provide representation from different regions of the country.
4. Sound recordings are an intrinsic part of the library's collection. Many subjects can be covered adequately only by audio recordings. The library particularly collects recordings in non-musical areas, including foreign language instruction, literature, sound effects, etc. The library also collects popular and classical music.
5. Visual media are added to the library's collection in a manner consistent with patron demand and budget constraints. As technology changes, the library will acquire visual media in the prevailing formats.
6. Electronic Databases are selected according to the content that is needed to provide information for the public and the library staff. Databases may be purchased to replace printed materials in the reference collection of electronic access to the information improves the quality of materials and is electronically accessible to all library users.
7. Children's books and other materials expressly purchased for children are selected to meet the informational and recreational needs of persons below seventh grade. The criteria of patron demand and need are also considered in acquiring children's materials.
8. Genealogical and historical materials dealing with Cedar Rapids and Linn County are sought by the library. The library prefers printed, audio, and electronic databases for this collection. The library does not attempt to include artifacts as part of the collection.
9. Reference materials are an important part of the collection. Every attempt is made to purchase appropriate and up-to-date reference materials needed to answer the informational questions of library users.
10. Government documents are an important area of information that patrons may want to access. The library is committed to facilitating accessibility to federal, state and local government documents.
11. Gifts of books, periodicals, and other materials are encouraged with the understanding that they will be included in the collection only if they are in formats currently in use for the public and if they meet the criteria for selection outlined in this policy. Special interest materials representing particular organizations or points of view may be accepted and displayed as space permits. A few gift periodicals of more general interest may be handled as part of the regular periodical collection. The materials program manager will decide where and how long gift periodicals will be kept. Each gift donor will sign a gift waiver to receive recognition and a receipt. For more information, see the separate policy statement "Gifts and Memorials."
12. Memorials are welcomed. If cash donations are made for materials in a person's name, it is helpful if a subject is also named so the funds will be expended appropriately. Direct donations of books or other materials are accepted under the provisions of the separate policy statement "Gifts and Memorials."
13. Pamphlets, brochures, and similar short publications not easily processed, as books are made available in the library's pamphlet file. Special interest or promotional materials may be added if their basic purpose is to inform and if they conform to this materials selection policy. Pamphlets, brochures, and flyers for nonlibrary-sponsored activities will not be displayed or distributed within the library but may be accepted for display in the lower lobby, subject to conditions set forth in the separate policy statement "Downtown Library Lobby."
14. "Weeding" of the collection is an ongoing process directly related to collection development. Materials that are worn, damaged, outdated, duplicated, or no longer used may be removed from the collection. Other factors taken into consideration are frequency of use, community interest, and availability of other material on the subject. Materials removed from the collection are given to the Friends of the Library for their annual book sale.
15. Minors are not restricted in the use of the library. Responsibility for the reading, viewing, and listening habits of minors rests with parents and legal guardians. Selection of materials is not restricted by the possibility that minors might obtain materials their parents consider inappropriate. The library does not discriminate on the basis of age in the use of its resources.

Requests for Reconsideration

The following procedure must be used by individuals or groups wishing to lodge a complaint concerning material held in the library collection.

An individual or group wishing to question the presence of an item in the collection should contact the materials program manager. If the objection is not resolved, the complaint will be directed to the assistant library director or the library director. If the patron wishes to carry the objection further, a Request for Reconsideration form, available in the administrative office, should be filled out and signed. The written objection will be taken to the Policy and Personnel subcommittee of the board for further consideration. Items the board deems appropriate for the collection will be not be removed except by court order.

Adopted 06/30/88; revised 10/29/92, 12/02/99, 12/04/03, 08/04/05, 02/01/07