The Sitka Public Library serves the various needs of
the people of Sitka and the surrounding area. The Library endeavors to offer a
useful, diverse collection of current and standard materials in a variety of
formats.
4.2 Collection
Responsibility
Operating within the framework of policies determined by the
Library Board Commission, the Library Director is ultimately responsible for
development and maintenance of the Library collection.
Selection for materials is based on the professional
judgment of the Library staff and standard selection sources such as book
reviews, bibliographies, selection lists, catalogs, media articles and
interviews of authors. Major selection tools include Booklist, Library Journal, New York Times Book Review, McNaughton
Selection List, the Wilson Catalogs (particularly Public Library, Fiction,
Senior High School and the Children’s Library catalogs), Hornbook, School Library Journal, and Bulletin for the Center for Children’s Books. Purchase requests
from patrons are considered. Interlibrary loan requests from patrons are also
considered as potential purchase suggestions. All materials will be considered
in terms of the audience for whom they are intended. Purchases of materials in
all formats must meet selection criteria established for the Library.
4.4. Selection Criteria
Selection criteria considered in the evaluation and
re-evaluation of materials include:
·
Cultural, recreational, informational and/or
educational value
·
Local interest, needs and potential use
·
Suitability of content and style for the
intended audience
·
Accuracy, authority and effectiveness of
presentation
·
Permanence, current relevance, or social
significance of the content
·
Reputation and/or significance of author,
producer, or publisher
·
Usefulness in relation to other materials in the
collection and in other library collections in Sitka
·
The works’ contribution to the diverse
representation of a broad range of opinions and perspectives, including various
viewpoints on controversial issues
·
Suitability of the physical format for library
use
·
Fiscal funding and building space limitiations
4.5 Special Collections and Criteria
4.5.1 Reference
Materials
Reference materials answer a variety of questions, are
intended for use in the Library, and must be available at all times the Library
is open. Consequently, reference materials cannot be checked out of the Library
without special permission of the Library Director.
The Alaska Collection includes materials of special interest
to Alaska. It includes materials of interest to the Sitka area, broad coverage
for Southeast Alaska and selected coverage for Alaska, based on popular appeal
and anticipated demand.
4.5.3 Local History
Collection
The Local History Collection includes material relevant to
the history and people of Sitka. It also includes publications by local
authors, publishers, government organizations or other groups. It is
complimentary to the collections of the Sitka Historical Society and The
Sheldon Jackson Museum on the Sitka Fine Arts campus. Local History materials
are only available for use in the library.
4.5.4 Children’s and
Young Adult’s Collections
The Library maintains a collection of books, audio books,
videos, CDs, DVDs, and magazines which meet children’s and young adults’
informational, cultural and recreational needs. The Library assists local
teachers and youth in meeting students’ academic needs, but it focuses on
general not curricular needs.
A collection of large print materials is maintained for
visually impaired individuals. The collection is enhanced with interlibrary
loan services and the Alaska State Library’s lending program.
4.5.6 Materials and
Equipment for the Disabled
The Library provides an Arkenstone Easy Reading Appliance in
addition to large print and audiovisual materials for visually impaired
individuals. The Southeast Alaska Independent Living Program provides assistive
technology and adaptive equipment to the Library for lending to disabled individuals.
The Library’s Web site also includes a link to the Alaska State Library Talking
Book Center, which provides audio books, magazines, Braille service, and
playback equipment for people who cannot read standard print.
Collections of recorded books in audiocassette and CD for
adults and children are maintained. The collection includes non-fiction and
popular genre fiction and classic titles. Due to demand, most materials
duplicate titles in other formats in the collection. The music collection
contains classical, jazz, blues, country, folk, popular and other genres in
audiocassette and CD formats.
Videos and DVDs are collected if the subject matter meets
the informational and recreational needs of library patrons. The library will
focus on materials such as documentaries, classics and quality feature films
and those generally not available in local video stores.
The Foreign Language Collection includes dictionaries, grammars
and learning materials in Alaska Native and other major languages including
Tlingit, Yupik, Russian, Spanish, French, German, Filipino. Foreign language
fiction titles are not included in the Library collection due to space
constraints.
The Internet and Statewide Databases provide access to a
wealth of information resources, including: a collection of e-Books, audio
books, and music through Listen Alaska+Plus; back issues from The Daily Sitka
Sentinel (2008-Current) and other newspapers from around the state of Alaska
and the United States via NewsBank; access to more than 50 databases provided
through SLED (The State Library Electronic Doorway); Alaska’s Digital Archives,
including a wealth of information resources, historical photographs, albums,
oral histories, moving images, maps, documents, physical objects, and other
materials from libraries, museums, and archives throughout the state; an online
language system (Mango Languages); The International Children’s Digital
Library; and many educational tools, such as Live Homework Help, all accessible
via the Library’s Web site. The Library does not collect computer software,
electronic books, video or computer games.
Selection criteria are used for the removal of items from
the collection. Items are removed because they contain outdated or inaccurate
information, unless valuable historically; they are superceded by more recent
editions; items are damaged or irreparably worn; or materials are seldom used.
Discarded items may be offered to other libraries, schools or nonprofit groups,
sold to raise money for new materials or otherwise disposed of.
4.7 Intellectual
Freedom
Intellectual freedom is the basis of our democratic system.
It encompasses the freedom to hold, receive and disseminate ideas. We fully
support the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from
all points of view without restriction. Intellectual freedom provides for free access
to all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question,
cause or movement may be explored.
The Library does not promote particular beliefs or views,
nor does the selection of any item imply endorsement of its views. One of the
essential purposes of the public library is to be a resource where individuals
can examine many points of view and come to their own conclusions. The Library
attempts to exercise impartiality in the materials selection process and
provide materials representing different sides of controversial issues.
We believe that censorship is a purely individual matter and that while anyone is free to reject for himself materials of which he does not approve, he cannot exercise this right of censorship to restrict the freedom of others to read and to view whatever materials they choose. The Library endorses the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read Statement and the Intellectual Freedom Statement, which are guiding principles for the collection development policy [appended to these policies].
Access to materials will not be restricted beyond what is
required to protect materials from theft or damage. Selection of library
materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that items may be seen by
children. Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or
disapproval of the contents, nor will items be sequestered, except for the
purpose of protecting them from theft or damage. The Library encourages parents
to be involved with their children’s reading and library use and will work with
parents to find materials they deem appropriate for their children.
Responsibility for reading and information access of children rests with their
parents and legal guardians. Parents who wish to limit or restrict the reading
of their own child should personally oversee that child’s choice of library
resources.
4.9 Reconsideration
of Materials
Reconsideration of materials, initiated by either staff or
the public, is an integral part of the collection development process. We
recognize that groups and individuals exist in the Sitka area with widely
separate and diverse interests, backgrounds, cultural heritages, social values,
and needs. We are aware that an item may offend some individuals or groups.
Selection of materials will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval or
disapproval of their contents. Questioned materials will not be removed or
restricted from the collection during the reconsideration process unless an
official determination has been made to do so. Should a patron have a complaint
about library materials, the following procedure should be followed:
·
A patron requesting removal of an item from the
Library collection shall meet with the Library Director, who will explain
selection policy and provide a copy of the collection development policy
·
If unsatisfied with the discussion, the patron
may submit a “Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials and/or Displays”
form explaining his or her concerns and actions desired to the Library Director
·
The Library Director shall read, view or listen
to the material in its entirety; check general acceptance of the materials by
reading reviews and consulting recommended lists; apply all appropriate
selection criteria to the work; judge the material for its strengths, value as
a whole, not just in part, and make a decision
·
The patron will be notified immediately and
given a full explanation of the decision. Information regarding the process to
appeal the Library Director’s decision will also be made available
·
The Library Director shall present a written
recommendation to the Library Board Commission during its next meeting
·
If the patron is not satisfied with the Library
Director’s decision, he or she may submit a written appeal to the Library Board
Commission, which will consider the request and make a recommendation about the
complaint during its next meeting
·
The Commission shall notify the complainant of
its decision in writing
·
If the patron is not satisfied with the
Commission’s decision, he or she may submit a written appeal to the City
Manager
4.10 Material Format
The Library offers materials in a variety of formats
including book, periodical, audiocassette, video, CD, DVD, pamphlet and
microform, etc. It also utilizes online communications technologies that
extend, expand and enhance service, such as the Internet.
Due to space and funding limitations, multiple copies of
titles are generally not purchased. Duplicate copies will be purchased if high
demand for a particular title is expected.
4.12 Gifts
Gifts of library materials are accepted with the
understanding that they will be considered for addition to the collection if
they meet selection criteria. Gifts not retained for the collection may be
given to other libraries, schools, or nonprofit organizations, sold, or
otherwise disposed of. No condition or restriction placed on gifts can be
honored unless agreed upon by the Librarian and donor. The Library does not
appraise gifts for tax purposes. Monetary donations, used to purchase new
materials, are accepted.
4.13 Memorials and
Endowments
The Library encourages donors of financial gifts, real
property, and/or stocks to consider the Endowment Fund, which is maintained and
managed by the Library Endowment Board. The Endowment Fund was established to acquire
and invest contributions that provide, in perpetuity, income used to enhance
the Library’s collections. It may include distinct funds established in honor
or memory of an individual.
4.14 Copy Machine and
Copyright Law
Sitka Public Library complies with Title 17 of the United
States Code, titled “Copyrights,” and other federal legislation related to the
duplication, retention and use of copyrighted materials. Patrons using Library
materials are responsible for the legal use of those materials.
