I. PHILOSOPHY AND GOALS

As part of its mission, Chatham County Public Libraries (CCPL) makes available to its patrons a broad range of library materials to provide up-to-date and accurate information, and to support services and programs of interest to CCPL’s service community.

CCPL provides materials in a variety of formats, including print and non-print materials. These may include, but are not limited to, books, periodicals, graphic novels, recorded books, recorded music, e-books, and motion pictures.

In its selection of library materials, Chatham County Public Libraries subscribe fully to the principles adopted by the American Library Association in its Library Bill of Rights and endorses its stand that the freedom to read is essential to our democracy.

II. SELECTION PROCESS

Responsibility for selection of materials lies with the professional staff of the Libraries. The public and all staff members are welcome to recommend materials for selection. Collection development and management is performed with the goal of allowing for the most effective and efficient use of staff time and funds.

Patron use is the most powerful influence on the Libraries’ collection. Circulation, patron purchase requests and item hold levels are all closely monitored, potentially triggering the purchase of new items and additional copies of high demand items. A broad range of materials should both serve and await the needs of CCPL’s patrons. Suggestions from library patrons are welcome; however, the library director has ultimate responsibility for the selection and purchase of materials, even when funds are donated for materials purchases.

Materials for children and young adults are intended to broaden their vision, support recreational reading, encourage and facilitate reading skills, supplement their educational needs, stimulate and widen their interests, lead to recognition and appreciation of literature, and reflect the diversity of the community. The reading and viewing activity of children is ultimately the responsibility of parents, who guide and oversee their own children's development. CCPL does not intrude on that relationship. Selection of library materials will not be limited by the possibility that it may come into the possession of minors.

CCPL recognizes that materials selected for the collection may be controversial and that any given item may offend any individual. Selections will be made, not based on anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the merits of the work in relation to building the collections, and to serving the needs of library users in accordance with the Libraries’ stated goals.

The following selection principles apply to all types and formats of library materials. An item need not meet all these criteria to be selected:

• patron demand and interest
• popular appeal/demand including hold ratio
• existing library holdings
• library budget and purchase price
• author’s reputation and significance as a writer
• reputation and standing of the publisher
• material is representative of the history and/or heritage of Chatham County or the state of North Carolina
• merit of the item as determined by documentation, awards, prizes, or reviews
• useful to students or provides information that supports the curricula of local primary and secondary schools and community colleges
• instructional or educational in nature and can assist patrons in learning new skills or making career choices
• presentation and readability
• reflection of all sides of issues
• availability of the material or information elsewhere
• quality of the physical format

Selection aids may include:

• recommendations from vendors based on current and projected demand/purchasing activity of other libraries in the region;
• reviews in professionally recognized / peer reviewed periodicals and journals and other online resources;
• standard bibliographies;
• advice of specific subject area experts; and
• user requests, including Interlibrary Loan.

III. DONATED MATERIALS

All branches of CCPL accept donations of materials in good condition. Library staff will evaluate donated materials according to their condition and the standards outlined in the selection process.

CCPL does not accept the following types of donations:

• magazines, except very old collectibles
• encyclopedia sets
• textbooks
• Reader’s Digest books
• music or books on audio cassettes
• VHS videos
• puzzles and games
• artwork
• books more than five (5) years old in these categories – computer science, health, education, and travel

IV. MONETARY DONATIONS AND GIFTS

 All branches of CCPL accept monetary donations for the purchase of materials in honor or memory of individuals, or for a specific genre or type of collection. Those who wish to make donations of this type should contact the manager of the branch in which the material will be housed. Donors are encouraged to suggest genres or authors they would like the library to purchase, and to let the branch manager know the name of the honoree and any family members who should be notified of the gift.

Donors who wish to give money for the purchase of special collections should first arrange to do so with the appropriate library branch manager. CCPL reserves the right to refuse monetary gifts for materials that are deemed not to meet the needs of the collection.

V. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS

 Local Authors or Artists

CCPL recognizes that the wealth of local artistic talent is one of the qualities that makes Chatham County unique. Whenever possible and appropriate, materials by local authors or artists will be added to the collection, providing that they meet the selection standards outlined above.

Donations by local authors or artists are welcome; however, acceptance of donated material does not constitute a commitment to add the material to CCPL’s collection. Likewise, Chatham County Public Libraries may choose not to purchase materials offered for sale by local authors or artists.

Local History and Genealogy Collection

The role of the Local History & Genealogy collection is to provide research materials relating to the history of Chatham County and surrounding areas. Such materials will be relevant to the social, physical, economic and political heritage of Chatham County and North Carolina. (See our LHG Collection Development Policy.)

VI. COLLECTION MAINTENANCE

CCPL believes that a high-quality library collection must be kept up to date by judicious weeding, which removes outdated and worn items while preserving, and when necessary and possible, replacing, classics and items of lasting value.

CCPL staff reviews the collections on an ongoing basis with the goal of maintaining the quality and vitality of library resources. The process of collection management incorporates the use of output measures, circulation reports, database use statistics, and other information of continuous collection evaluation.

Discarded materials are disposed of at the Libraries’ discretion in a manner consistent with Chatham County policy.

VII. MATERIALS REVIEW

The usage and enjoyment of library materials by users is a matter of individual choice. Responsibility for monitoring the usage of materials by children and young adults rests with their parents and/or legal guardians. CCPL supports freedom and endorses the Freedom to Read (American Library Association) intellectual statement. While a person may reject materials for him/herself and for his/her children, he/she cannot exercise censorship to restrict access to the materials by others.

CCPL carefully investigates and considers suggestions from patrons to consider the removal or reclassification of any material in the collection. Patrons may challenge materials by completing the Request for Review of Library Materials form. Please note, the completed form and its written response become part of Chatham County’s public record.

Request for Review Form

 Revised  07-2023