Introduction
Purpose of the Policy
This policy communicates information and principles that guide decisions about the selection, deselection and maintenance of materials at the Meade County Public Library and its corresponding branches.
Mission Statement
The Meade County Public Library’s mission is to cultivate learning, transform lives and build community. We believe that a free public library is essential to the overall health of a community. The Meade County Public Library strives to maintain and improve the quality of life for all citizens of Meade County by providing convenient and effective access to library programs and materials. We support the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement set forth by the American Library Association.
Collection Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement
The library strives to offer a diverse collection that provides entertainment, information, and enlightenment to the Meade County community.
The library respects the right of each user to access information, even if the content may be considered controversial, unorthodox, or objectionable to others. Materials are not excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation, provided that they adhere to the library’s established selection criteria. Inclusion of an item in the collection does not mean that the library endorses its content.
The library believes that parents and guardians hold the ultimate responsibility for their child’s library use and does not intrude upon that relationship. Patrons are free to choose what they from the collection, to reject what they don’t like, but not to restrict the freedom of others to choose for themselves.
Collection History
The Meade County Public Library, established in 1955 due to the efforts of the Brandenburg Women’s Civic Club, has been serving the community’s informational, educational, and recreational reading needs ever since. The library, a tax-supported institution grounded in Kentucky library laws, initially operated out of a remodeled 1910 schoolhouse purchased from the Meade County Board of Education. The 1967 and 1971 remodel was made possible with support from local sources, including the Olin Corporation.
In 1995-96, the Board of Trustees initiated a modernization project funded largely by a bequest from George Dan Hagan and supplemented by grants from the Kentucky Department for Libraries & Archives.
The library relocated to a new facility on Old Ekron Road in 2011, following the purchase of five acres of land from the Miller family in 2008 and subsequent construction that began in 2010. The facility was further expanded in 2019-2020 to accommodate more space for programs.
General Selection Criteria
The library’s holdings are composed of different collections, broken down by age of the target audience and/or format. In general, the library applies the same standards in selecting all items, including those specifically requested by patrons.
Selection criteria the library uses with regard to all collections include:
- Age (at least 25% of the circulating collection published within the past 5 years)
- Timeliness and/or popularity of a subject or title
- Reputation or qualifications of author, artist, and/or publisher
- Difficulty (the library does not select highly specialized textbooks or test preparation books with excessive technical jargon)
- Purchase price
- Potential circulation
- Relationship to the existing collection and to other titles and authors dealing with the same subject
- Literary merit as expressed by reviewers, and reputation and/or quality of reviewers.
- Suitability of format (obsolescence, duplicative of other formats, storage or technical issues, etc.)
- Suitability of item (product quality, storage or technical issues, etc.)
- Public interest in the topic or subject
Collection Services use a number of resources to inform selection. These include, but are not limited to:
- Print and Online bestseller lists produced by national media outlets.
- Print and Online review sources produced by publishers, vendors or professional organizations
- Individual reviews produced by relevant professionals such as noted authors, syndicated movie critics, professional literary reviewers, and noted experts in a given field of study.
Collection Specific Selection Criteria
Some concerns are collection specific. Different collections may have different emphases, or additional selection criteria.
Adult Fiction
The library provides a collection of standard and contemporary fiction titles as well as genre fiction for the intellectual enrichment, information, and entertainment needs and interests of the adult population of Meade County. Multiple copies of frequently used titles may be provided. Large Print copies of some popular titles are also available. Taking into account that adults vary greatly in education, interests, tastes, and reading skills, the Library attempts to select items which will engage a wide audience of users. Subscription to standing order plans for work by popular authors ensures that the library has copies of a high-demand title on the day the item is released.
Special Criteria (in addition to General Criteria)
- Collection’s need to reflect minority as well as majority cultures
- Foreign Language Materials
Adult Non-Fiction
The library maintains a collection of general interest nonfiction titles to provide for the information needs and browsing interests of the library patrons. Materials for which there is heavy, temporary demand may be selected with less emphasis on the general criteria listed above. Special consideration may be given to titles with local interest. Where feasible, a variety of viewpoints on a given topic will be represented.
Special Criteria (in addition to General Criteria)
- Suitability of intended audience (research-level books not purchased)
- Ease of use, including index, bibliography and illustrations
Large Print Collection
A collection of large print fiction and non-fiction materials are maintained to meet the reading needs of patrons who benefit from larger print.
Graphic Novels
Graphic novels are purchased for all age groups. Adult graphic novels are shelved in Adult Nonfiction. Young Adult and Juvenile graphic novels have their own designated shelf space within the YA and Juvenile collections. Some publishers provide content warnings and/or recommended age ratings for graphic novels. However, the meaning of the ratings varies from publisher to publisher and some do not provide ratings at all. The library will not purchase graphic novels which indicate the presence of explicit content such as “graphic sexuality,” “gore,” or “sadistic violence.” Titles with more mature themes may be shelved with Adult graphic novels regardless of the recommended age range.
Young Adult Fiction
Material in this area of the collection is selected to appeal to teens through college age. The emphasis is on popular titles and authors, but classics and other items which show excellence in content or style are also selected. Assigned reading by area schools is a consideration.
Young Adult Non-Fiction
Selection should consider the educational and information needs of this age group. Because of the relatively sparse offering of non-fiction materials specific to young adults, selectors routinely use reviewing journals and publishers’ catalogs which highlight YA materials. Adult non-fiction materials may also be of interest and appropriate to this age group.
Juvenile Fiction
Selectors choose material in this area to serve the needs and interests of children from infancy to middle school. Selection should keep in mind the changing developmental needs of this age range. Emphases include introduction to basic reading, supporting student needs, and developing an overall enjoyment of reading. Basic selection criteria apply, paying attention to vocabulary, illustration and age appropriate content.
Juvenile Non-Fiction
Material in this area is selected to serve the needs and interests of children from infancy to middle school. As with fiction, every effort should be made to support the developmental and educational needs of children. This part of the collection encompasses a wide variety of topics and reading levels, but even non-fiction books for very young children should be accurate and authoritative, with emphasis on vocabulary, illustration and age-appropriate content.
Periodicals (Magazines and Newspapers)
Both magazines and newspapers are acquired for recreational reading and to provide current information. The library removes low-usage titles and adds new ones as the budget allows. In addition to print materials, the library subscribes to electronic databases which provide abstracts or full text for a wide variety of magazine and newspaper articles. The library also offers digital magazines through Overdrive, its online digital materials service. These digital magazines are selected by a vote of the consortium and are not chosen by the Meade County Public Library on its own. The availability of back issues for digital magazines varies by publisher.
Databases
The library subscribes to electronic databases to provide patrons with current information on a wide variety of topics. Selection criteria include search functionality, timeliness, access policies, customer service and cost. Statistics are monitored to track patron resources.
DVD
The library emphasizes popular, classic and award-winning feature films, television productions, children’s features,educational and instructional videos. The library purchases DVDs for the purpose of providing the primary content to its patrons.
The library may choose not to acquire multiple versions of the same title solely because of changes that do not impact or alter the main content, such as additional “special features” included on the disk, “deleted” scenes, or other incidental material. Due to the proliferation of pirated movies delivered through DVD on Amazon, the library will limit purchases of new releases to Midwest whenever possible.
Music CDs
The library purchases a variety of popular music styles for recreational use, as well as multicultural and traditional American music for educational purposes.
Audio Books
The library collects both fiction and non-fiction audio books on CD, Playaways, and Wonderbooks. Unabridged versions are preferred whenever possible. Audio books are purchased for children, young adults and adults with an emphasis on popular titles. Classic titles and other standard works are also collected. Audio books are also available in downloadable formats on our digital platforms, Kentucky Libraries Unbound and Hoopla or through KYVL.
Videogame Collection
The library supports video gaming platforms and the selection is based on the following:
- Popularity
- Current relevance
- Reviews from reputable gaming websites or periodicals
- Suggestions from the Meade County Public Library Teen Advisory Council
The library uses the Entertainment Software Rating board (ESRB) as a guideline when selecting videogames. Games rated “Mature 17+” are restricted to adult cardholders. The library does not normally collect games rated “Adults Only” or those labeled with the “Nudity,” “Sexual Violence,” “Real Gambling,” or “Strong Sexual Content” content descriptors. Games not yet released are not normally purchased until a rating and content descriptors have been assigned
by the ESRB.
The library does not purchase additional accessories that may be necessary for some games. Games which require extra accessories should not be selected for the circulating collection. (Games with required accessories may be purchased for use in library programs.)
The library purchases videogames for the purpose of providing the primary content to its patrons. The library may choose not to acquire multiple versions of the same title solely because of changes that do not impact or alter the main content, such as additional “special features” included on the disk or other incidental material. The library does not purchase videogames that require a paid account or one-time use code to play.
Kentucky Libraries Unbound (KLU) Collection
The collection currently includes eBooks, digital audio books and digital magazines. The particular file formats supported and any usage limitations are determined by the individual publishers and providers of the materials and are beyond the control of the library.
Many items are owned jointly by a consortium of libraries throughout the state. Consortium owned materials are subject to the policies of the Kentucky Libraries Unbound Consortium, beyond the local control of the library. As such, titles in that collection may differ from what the library might normally choose. The Meade County Public Library has no unilateral ability to remove items from that collection. Additionally, the library has its own “Advantage” collection, with privately held titles available exclusively to Meade County patrons. Materials in this collection should follow the collection development policies established by the Meade County Public Library.
New Formats and Uncollected Materials
New Formats
New media formats are studied carefully to assess their suitability for library use. Requests for new formats will be directed to the Collection Development Staff who will consult with the Director and Technical Services Manager. Considerations will include the likelihood of ongoing use and popularity, storage and technical issues, and probable durability of the format.
Uncollected Materials
While the library attempts to develop a solid, rounded collection for the use of its patrons, some materials are not purchased due to cost, format, or duplication of nearby collections. Other material may not be purchased when judged to be outside the scope of the library’s collections.
Genealogy
The library does not seek to develop a comprehensive genealogy collection. Works on local families may be added when donated if they meet other
selection requirements. How-to books on tracing family trees will be purchased for adults and juveniles.
Textbooks and Test Guides
Textbooks generally will not be purchased for the collection. While the library does collect some popular test preparation books and materials, very esoteric or highly specialized books of this nature will not be purchased due to the limited circulation potential. Textbooks will not be ordered to satisfy the demands of a particular institution, curriculum, or patron.
Microfilm
The library does not purchase or collect microfilm.
Government Documents
The library limits acquisition of federal, state, and local government publications to those which are important for general reference or popular reading. The library mainly relies on government websites for government document needs.
Self-Published Works
Self-published works vary greatly in the quality of content and production, with little or no information or professional review available to guide selection. Given the potential for misinformation, the library does not normally include self-published non-fiction in its collections. Exceptions would include works of local interest, such as Historical Society publications, or works about prominent local families, events or landmarks.
- The library does not generally seek out self-published fiction, but it may be added to the collection due to popular demand or local interest. Fiction titles
must be of a production quality suitable for circulation and available from a reputable vendor. - Should sufficient professional summaries and reviews be unavailable to evaluate a self-published title, the library may decline to add it to the collection.
Patron Item Requests
Collection Services will consider any patron request for the acquisition of a particular title for the collection. Collection Services will determine the best method to obtain a requested title (purchase or interlibrary loan). Requests for a specific edition of a work may result in an inability to fill the request.
Items that would not normally be added to the collection because they fail to meet established selection criteria will not be purchased to fulfill patron requests. Collection Services will still attempt to fill the request via Interlibrary Loan, if possible.
Collection Services occasionally receives requests for items unavailable from mainstream vendors and publishers. Such requests will be considered, but the library will not purchase items where Collection Services has concerns about the legitimacy of the item or vendor, or where the vendor cannot meet the needs of the library regarding payment and shipping.
Requests are sometimes received for items that only exist in potential, such as movies not yet in production, or books authors have mentioned as a future project. Because it is not feasible to track these requests for months or years for items that may never materialize, Collection Services will normally only consider requests where a product release can be confirmed and an order placed.
When, for any reason, the library is unable to obtain a requested item, Collection Services will notify the requestor.
Donations
Donated Materials
The library accepts donated material with the understanding that only items which meet established selection criteria and the library’s current needs will be added to the collection. Donations are final and become the property of the Meade County Public Library. The library reserves the right to dispose of items that are unneeded, worn, or out-of-date in the manner it deems most appropriate.
Items in good condition and of current interest to be reviewed by Collection Services. Items that are appropriate to the collection will be processed and added to the collection or exchanged with an already existing item in the collection.
The Library holds the rights for resale of all donated items which were not selected for the collection and are in good condition. Items that are severely damaged or otherwise unsuitable for sale may be disposed of immediately.
Upon request, a Receipt for Donations will be given to the donor. No value will be assigned to the material by the library. Except under very unusual circumstances, the library accepts no donations that require treatment different from that given materials acquired via normal procedures.
Gifts and Memorials
The library gratefully accepts funds for the purchase of materials. The library will attempt to honor requests to buy materials in a particular subject area or genre. Such decisions will be based upon availability of materials and the needs of the collection. When requested, bookplates will be placed in/on items purchased with donated patron funds, usually in the name of the person a donor wishes to honor. Except under very unusual circumstances, the library accepts no gifts that require treatment different from that given materials acquired via normal procedures.
Collection Maintenance
Mending
The following repairs will be handled at the library:
- Tighten or repair spine with glue or staples
- Apply new jackets, spine labels, and/or barcodes
- Tape damaged books for temporary repair
- Tip in loose pages with glue
Resurfacing DVDs and CDs
The library owns repair machines to refinish damaged discs in its collections. Assigned staff repair and clean items.
Replacements
Although the library strives to have copies of standard, important, and classic works, replacement of every copy lost to theft or damage is not attempted. Consideration for replacing a lost item should be based in part on the following criteria:
- Patron demand/popularity
- Importance of the title
- Duplication in the system
- Currency and publication date
Deselection
Regular deselection, or weeding, of the collection is essential: dated, inaccurate, and damaged items should be removed along with unnecessary duplicate copies. Finding sufficient space for the materials patrons need and want is also a priority, and weeding is often the only way to accomplish this. Additionally, Collection Services works to facilitate the removal of items that have not circulated in the past five years from the collection.
To support regular weeding, the library has established a monthly weeding schedule to review the entire collection each year. Responsibility for the weeding rests with the Circulation Coordinator as informed by Technical Services, but individual tasks may be assigned to other staff. Recommendations of the staff and the public will be considered.
The CREW Method will be the manual used to guide weeding. CREW Guidelines consider age of the publication, number of circulations, and condition. The CREW guidelines suggest different formulas for different areas of the collection. All formulas are subject to review and revision to meet the library’s specific needs.
Deselection Schedule
The Technical Services coordinator will run a Holdings report of all items not circulated in the past five years on the first day of each month.
Disposal of Weeded Materials
Materials that are weeded from the collection will be disposed of in a manner appropriate for each item. Items may be donated to other agencies or sold in the Library’s Book Sale Room. Some materials will be discarded which may include recycling. The library does not offer any withdrawn items directly to patrons.
Award-winning materials and classics will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Acquisitions
Just as regular deselection of the collection is essential, consistent and strategic acquisition of materials is critical to keeping the collection current with up-to-date materials. A regular ongoing influx of new high interest items encourages regular browsing and increased circulation (see “Ordering Procedures” for Accounts and timelines).
Standing Orders
Standing order or continuations plans may be used to schedule the acquisition of current and comprehensive selections of popular authors and/or frequently updated titles.
Challenges and Removal of Materials
Intellectual Freedom and Censorship
The Meade County Public Library endorses the following American Library Association documents:
The principles of Intellectual Freedom shall apply to material selection.
With respect to the use of library materials by children, the decision as to what a minor may or may not read is the responsibility of the parent or guardian. Videos rated R (or higher), audio materials with a parental advisory label, and musical sound recordings with a parental advisory label are restricted to patrons 18 years and older.
The Meade County Public Library Board of Trustees respects a person’s right to reject materials which they find objectionable. However, attempts to censor the freedom of others with regard to the right to read will be resisted by the Board.
Reconsideration
The library staff uses Collection Development Policies, established procedures, and professional judgment in selecting, classifying, reclassifying, and deselecting items in the collection.
Once an item has been acquired and added to the collection, it will not be removed unless it can be shown to be in violation of the library’s policies and selection criteria. Meade County residents and members of the library staff may request that materials be reconsidered. Requests may be made for removal or for reclassification (changes in labeling or movement of the material to another section of the library).
Request for Reconsideration of Material
The library strives to use consistent criteria when selecting and assigning materials to particular areas of the collection. If there is a concern about the library’s decisions in regards to an item, the following procedure will be used:
- Individuals may request reconsideration of a selection decision or classification of library material by filling out a request for reconsideration of material form available at the library’s front desk or on the website.
- The Library Director responds in writing to the individual’s request.
- The Meade County Library Board, upon request, hears appeals of the Director’s written response. Appeals must be presented in writing to the Library Board at least ten days in advance of the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Board.
- Decisions on appeals are based on careful review of the objection, the material, Meade County Library policy and the Library Bill of Rights and American Library Association guidelines on intellectual freedom.
- The final decision on appeals rests with the Meade County Public Library Board of Trustees.
Professional Collection
Professional collection materials include materials kept by programmers for use in their
programs and professional publications used by staff librarians and management.
Programming Materials
These typically include copies of children’s or young adult books and other formats to be used during story times or teen programming. Additionally, Children’s Services librarians and programmers as well as Adult/Teen Services librarians may all have a use for titles providing ideas for presentations, workshops, games and other activities. These items are not considered part of the collection and are not cataloged. These items are generally housed in the appropriate staff member’s office.
Professional Reference Publications
These materials are used by library staff to inform their work. Categories include annotated bibliographies, readers’ advisory services, reviewing sources, professional development, and other basic resources staff need to keep on hand for everyday use. These items are not
considered part of the collection and are not cataloged. Technical Services may facilitate purchasing the materials, but will make the Business Office aware that these items should be charged to the designated category rather than the library materials budget.
Monitoring Holds
Some items are in very high demand by patrons, particularly new videos and bestselling books. Circulation manager monitors hold ratio and alerts Collection development staff to determine when the demand for specific titles warrants the purchase of additional copies. The Collection development staff may choose not to order additional copies if this will lead to an excessive number of copies of the same item.
The circulation manager monitors the list of items that are placed on hold by patrons to find requests that are not being filled in a timely manner. Holds are monitored constantly, with various reports and queries run on a weekly, bi-weekly, monthly and quarterly basis. These reports include any bibliographic records of any item with holds, including all items that are classified as lost, missing, claimed status, or overdue.
Items which are older than 12 months and are not significant to the collection may be borrowed through Inter Library Loan Services.