Introduction
The Franklin Township Public Library endorses the principles outlined in the American Library Association’s Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read Statement, and Freedom to View Statement. More information about these statements can be found in Appendix A: American Library Association Statements.
I. Purpose
- To inform the public about the principles that guide the selection of library materials.
- To guide participating staff members in the selection of library materials, and in evaluating existing materials and their continued relevance to the collection.
- To develop and maintain the collection in accordance with the library’s mission statement.
II. Authority
Final authority for the determination of policy in the acquisition of books and other materials is vested in the library Board of Trustees. Responsibility for materials selection within this policy, and control of expenditure for materials rests with the Director. Selection decisions are delegated by the Director to qualified staff members.
III. Scope
Franklin Township Public Library and its branch(es) attempt to provide materials for all ages in a variety of available formats. The library has a broad collection designed to fill the diverse needs and interests of its community. It includes materials, both current and retrospective, on a wide range of subjects and representing varying viewpoints and styles.
IV. Criteria for Collection Development
A. Content
Collection development is an ongoing process that involves the purchase of new materials as well as the re-evaluation of the present collection. Collection development is based on the merit of content, rather than personal considerations regarding the author or producer. Criteria for the selection of materials include, but are not limited to:
- Professional Reviews
- Format, including accessibility, durability, physical suitability, and ease of use
- Importance as a document of the times
- Present and potential relevance to community needs
- Quality, including awards received; accuracy; clarity; and reputation or qualification of the author or publisher, including authority and competence.
- Recommendations for purchase of materials by patrons
- Relation to existing collection and other material on the subject
- Value of resource in relation to its cost
The Franklin Township Public Library selects materials using established criteria and with full consideration of the age groups and diverse community it serves. Requests for removal of items from the collection may be made using a formal procedure outlined in Appendix C: Reconsideration of Library Materials.
B. Special Considerations
1. Multiple Copies
To meet high demand for popular titles, it may be necessary to purchase multiple copies of a work. Typically, the number of copies purchased is based upon a ratio of copies available to the number of people waiting on reserve. Within budgetary constraints, one additional copy may be purchased for every four requests.
2. Patron Requests
Patrons may request items the library does not own. The requests, when submitted on the designated library form, will be given consideration. If the title meets the criteria for the library’s collection, it will be purchased, and the requesting patron notified. If a requested title is not purchased efforts will be made to obtain the title, or an acceptable substitute, through interlibrary loan.
3. Textbooks
The Franklin Township Public Library does not purchase textbooks to supply students with textbooks for required academic courses. Textbooks may be purchased if they provide information that cannot be found in another resource to meet an anticipated need.
4. Local Authors and Self-Published or Print on Demand
Works by local authors or self-published authors are evaluated based on the same selection criteria and standards used for other materials, whether the material is purchased or received as a donation. Generally, the library does not acquire self-published works or print on demand titles unless the items 1) meet the library’s selection criteria, and 2) are of high local interest or contain local content. Guidelines for submissions by local authors can be found in Appendix D: Local Author Submission Guidelines.
5. Special Collections
The library collects materials in several areas to serve the specific needs of the local community. Details on these special collections can be found in Appendix E: Special Collections.
V. Gifts and Donations
Donations of materials may be accepted with the understanding that the library will use them as it sees fit. Materials in acceptable condition that meet selection criteria may be added to the collection.
The library will accept donations of new or gently used books, CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray. The library is unable to use donations of textbooks, encyclopedias, VHS tapes, cassette tapes, games, puzzles, magazines (including National Geographic) or materials that are musty, dirty, strained, yellowed, or worn. A form letter for tax purposes is available upon request; however, the estimated valuation of the donation is the responsibility of the donor.
Information about art donations can be found in Appendix F: Art Donation Policy.
VI. Collection Evaluation and Management
Library collections are designed to change over time to meet the needs of the community. As items are added to the collection, existing items in the collection are evaluated for their continued value and some items may be withdrawn from the collection. Decisions are influenced by use of the materials, library capacity, and available holdings in other libraries.
- The criteria used in selecting materials for withdrawal include:
- Damage or poor condition
- Number of copies in the collection
- Relevance to the needs and interest of the community
- Current demand and frequency of use
- Accuracy and timeliness
- Availability elsewhere, including other libraries and online.
- Deemed to be of an enduring nature.
Implementation of collection management is assigned to qualified library staff who evaluate the collection on an ongoing basis to maintain its vitality and usefulness to the community.
VII. Appendices
Appendix A: American Library Association Statements
Library Bill of Rights:
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill
Freedom to Read:
http://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/statementspols/freedomreadstatement
Freedom to View:
http://www.ala.org/vrt/professionalresources/vrtresources/freedomtoview
Appendix B: Franklin Township Public Library Mission Statement
The library, as a major information and cultural resource, shall provide a wide variety of materials and services for the educational, professional, and personal needs of all members of the community in a pleasant and professional environment.
The library is a primary resource for residents to obtain timely, accurate, and useful information through a broad range of sources, including traditional, electronic, and new technologies as they develop.
Particular emphasis is placed on the delivery of quality reference services, providing popular materials of high interest, supporting students at all academic levels, encouraging the constructive use of leisure time and on stimulating young children’s interest and appreciation for reading and learning.
Appendix C: Reconsideration of Library Materials
The Board of Trustees of the Franklin Township Public Library has delegated the responsibility for selection and evaluation of library materials to the members of the library’s Collection Development Committee that is composed of degreed librarians on the library staff. The library selectors strive to provide a representative selection of materials according to the guidelines stated in the Collection Development Policy.
Comments from members of the community about the collection or individual items in the collection frequently provide librarians with information about interests or needs that may not be adequately met by the collection. Although materials are carefully selected, there can arise differences of opinion regarding suitable materials. The library’s Collection Development Policy provides guidance in determining whether items will be added to or deleted from the collection. Patrons who request the reconsideration of library materials will be asked to put their request in writing by completing the Citizen Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form which is available at any public service desk.
The library has established reconsideration procedures to address concerns about library resources. Completion of the form is the first step in those procedures. If you wish to request reconsideration of library resources, please return the completed form to the Director of Library Services.
Upon receipt of a formal, written request for reconsideration of library materials, the Director will appoint a subcommittee of the Collection Development Committee, to include the selector of the subject area or collection of the item in question, and two (2) other members of the committee.
The committee will make a written recommendation to the Director who will then make a decision regarding the disposition of the material. The Director will communicate the decision, and the reasons for it, in writing, to the person who initiated the request for reconsideration within thirty (30) days of the initial request.
An appeal of the Director’s decision may be made to the Board of Trustees. The appeal must be made in writing within ten (10) days of receiving the Director’s decision. The Board will appoint a committee to review the item, the recommendation of the review committee, and the Director’s reply to the complainant. The Board of Trustees will make a decision regarding the reconsideration request within ninety (90) days of the notification of appeal and has final authority in the matter.
Appendix D: Local Author Submission Guidelines
FTPL will consider self-published works for addition to the collection, when donated, if
- The author is local.
- The material is deemed to be of local interest.
- The material meets the selection criteria outlined below.
As stated in our Collection Development Policy the library uses a number of criteria when selecting materials for the collection, including, but not limited to:
- Anticipated and demonstrated needs of the library’s patrons and community.
- Favorable reviews in professional media, such as Library Journal, Booklist, New York Times Book Review, Publishers Weekly, or specialty publications
- Authority, accuracy, and timeliness of the material
- Critical acclaim or awards, and reputation or significance of the authors, illustrators, and publishers/producers
- Quality of production, including editing, printing, and binding and suitability for a circulating collection.
Due to procurement rules, the library cannot buy materials from individuals, but can accept donated items. The library cannot add self-published ebooks to the collection as they are not available through the library’s ebook vendor platforms.
Donated materials become the property of the library and will not be returned. Materials in acceptable condition will be considered in light of the library’s normal selection criteria and may be added to the library collection if appropriate. Materials that are not added to the collection will be added to the library’s ongoing book sale with the proceeds to benefit the library. Due to the volume of requests, the library is not able to enter into a dialogue on any donated material.
Collection development is an ongoing process that involves the acquisition of new materials as well as the re-evaluation of materials in the present collection. As with all items added to the collection, donated materials may be subject to removal in the future if the work is no longer considered accurate, timely, in good physical condition, or if the circulation of the item does not warrant retention.
Appendix E: Special Collections
Franklin Township Public Library’s special collections include:
Adult Reading Program (ARP) Collection
The ARP Collection includes works that are designed to provide enhanced assistance with improving literacy skills for adults and their tutors or teachers. The collection includes resources to help adults who are native English speakers, as well as adults for whom English is a second language. This literacy collection was created through a grant of funds from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, administered by the New Jersey State Library.
The Frederick Douglass Collection
The Frederick Douglass Collection consists of non-fiction materials about African Americans in North America, the Caribbean and the West Indies. The special collection includes works that have a specific focus on the lives of African Americans and which have a more scholarly focus.
Fiction, biographies, and other non-fiction works by and about African Americans that are of a more popular nature also receive a special focus by library collection selectors, however those items are shelved in their respective main collection areas.
International Collection
The library selects materials for the International Collection to serve the needs of the diverse community in Franklin Township for whom English is not their first language and for those wishing to expand their reading horizons. The collection includes works in languages from around the globe, including, but not limited to, Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Gujarati, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Korean, Polish, Russian, Spanish, Tamil, and Urdu.
Local History
The library’s local history collection is a major resource for people in the Franklin Township community who wish to learn more about the history, culture, and people of the township. The collection includes art, artifacts, books, documents, maps, and photographs, and are about or created by the local populace. The library’s collection is the primary publicly-accessible collection of materials about Franklin Township.
New Jersey Collection
The library collects materials with a special focus on the state of New Jersey including works on the state’s history, politics, current affairs, arts, literature, recreational opportunities and more.
Appendix F: Art Donation Policy
General Statement
It is the intent of the Franklin Township Public Library to provide an aesthetically pleasing environment for patrons and staff that is conducive to the pursuit of intellectual study and cultural enrichment. To that end the Franklin Township Public Library welcomes opportunities to display art within the public areas in its facility.
This public art policy covers gifts of art to the library or art purchased for the library by donors as well as art currently on display in the library. The policy also covers the temporary, long-term loan to the library of art pieces for display. Art accessioned as part of the library’s collections, whether it is intended for public display is not covered by this policy.
The Franklin Township Art Advisory Committee
The library’s Art Advisory Committee is composed of three members of the library’s staff, including the Director.
Procedures
When the library is offered a piece of fine art for display in a public area, it will be referred to the Art Advisory Committee. In addition to making a recommendation on acceptance or rejection, the Committee will recommend the most appropriate location for the art piece in question. The Committee also may advise on the style of framing (in the case of a painting or photograph, etc.) or the style of a pedestal base that might be required for a piece of sculpture.
Acceptance of Art Guidelines
Display of public art is an important part of providing welcoming and amenable facilities and is an enriching aspect of the library’s service, educational, and outreach programs.
The decision to accept artwork for display in the library rests entirely with the library. Upon acceptance, the library will make all decisions regarding placement, length of time for the display, publicity, and display removal.
When accepting a work of art, the Franklin Township Public Library reserves the right to:
- Exhibit any donated object in a manner that is consistent with the library’s policies, needs, and available space. Acceptance of a work of art does not imply that it will be on permanent public display.
- Return loaned art to the individual owner upon recommendation by the Art Advisory Committee.
- Move and relocate art work for any reason it deems necessary.
Gifts of Artwork
The Franklin Township Public Library will consider for acceptance as gifts such pieces of fine art as paintings, sculpture, wall hangings, photographs, and other original works in various media. Gifts of works of art will be accepted without limitations or conditions placed on the library by the donor or artist unless those limitations or conditions are approved by the Art Advisory Committee.
Title to all gifts of art will pass to the Franklin Township Public Library. Gifts to the library remain outright and unrestricted. Donations will be used according to the sole discretion of the library. Such artwork will be used to the best interest of the library.
Donors who wish to receive a tax credit are responsible for getting an appraisal. By law, the Franklin Township Public Library cannot provide value estimates on gift material. The Art Advisory Committee will determine the appropriate process of receipt and acknowledgement for gifts of art. The documentation will identify and acknowledge the gift without appraising the work of art.
Long-term Temporary Loan of Artwork
In addition to gifts of art or art purchased for the library by donors, the library also will evaluate the long-term temporary loan of art pieces for display from individuals.
Long-term loans of art pieces for display will be covered by a written agreement (Agreement of Acceptance) that includes the details for duration, placement, security, and return of the item when the loan is over. Title of loaned materials will remain with the lending person. The care, security, and preservation of artwork that is loaned for display in the library will be the responsibility of the library.
Selection Criteria for Artworks
Overall, the Franklin Township Public Library has limited space for the display of art, and therefore it is important to consider very carefully the acceptance of a piece of art for long-term loan or as a gift.
Style and nature:
The art should be appropriate in scale, material, form and content for the library environment.
Quality and Elements of design:
Public art may have other functions in addition to aesthetic enjoyment. For example, a work of art may establish a focal point, modify, or enhance a space or identify a building function. As far as possible, the work of art should complement and enhance the building and its purpose. The reputation of the artist may be a factor in the decision.
Durability:
Works of art will be examined for durability, taking the library environment and the condition of the piece into consideration. Extremely fragile items or those that are potential targets for vandalism are not appropriate for the library setting.
Installation/Maintenance costs:
When selecting a work of art to purchase or determining if a gift may be accepted, the library will take into consideration any security issues, the cost of installation, and the cost of maintaining the work over its lifetime. Start-up and ongoing costs for cleaning and mounting will also be considered.
Public liability:
Works will not be selected or accepted that create unsafe conditions or contain other factors that may bear on public liability.
Conditions of acceptance:
In the case of gifts or donations, the donor’s conditions may affect whether or not the gift will be accepted.
Library Discretion:
The library, in its sole discretion, will determine whether to review and accept or reject any gift or proposed artwork.