Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Memorial Library
Material Selection Policy
Objectives
The Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Memorial Library, hereby listed as EGBM Library, endeavors to provide all patrons with a balanced collection of carefully selected books and other materials to aid the individual in the pursuit of self education, reliable information, research, pleasure, and the creative use of leisure time. It is the library's goal to cooperate with educational, civic, cultural groups and organizations, and community members to promote the general welfare of the community. Materials shall not be excluded based on the discrimination of any individual or group.
Because of the volume of publishing, as well as the limitations of budget and space, the library must have a Materials Selection Policy.
The Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement has been endorsed by the EGBM Library and are an integral part of this policy.
Responsibility for Selection
The ultimate responsibility for the selection of library materials rests with the library director who consistently operates within the framework of this policy as set by the EGBM Library Board of Trustees.
Criteria for Selection
The main points to be considered in the selection of materials are:
● Reliability and accuracy of information
● The individual merit of each item
● Timeless and permanent value
● Integrity of author and publisher
● Popular appeal and/or demand
● Existing library holdings in this library and the existence of adequate coverage of the subject within the Northern Waters and WISCAT system.
● Budget
● Suitability of material for the needs of the target audience.
● Good physical quality for all resources
Reviews are a major source of information about new materials. The primary sources of reviews include, but are not limited to, Booklist, BookLooks, Clairmont Review, Kirkis, Library Journal, Little Patriot Press, Publishers Weekly, Regenery, School Library Journal, Voice of Youth Advocates (VOYA), award winners, and other balanced sources. The lack of a review shall not be the sole reason when considering a new item into the collection. Materials are judged on the work as a whole, and not a single part taken out of context.
Requests to Buy
The library welcomes patron requests for purchases and places a high priority on these requests. All requests will be considered according to this policy. Should five or more patrons request a certain book or resource, that item shall be purchased as requested. Patron requests are limited to two requests per month and to requesting titles that have already been published. Highest consideration will be given to requests for materials that are of local interest, prize winners, bestsellers, items less than three years old, have illustrations, are in physical format, and special features.
Interlibrary Loan
Because of limited budget and space, the library cannot provide all materials that are requested. Therefore, interlibrary loan is used to obtain from other libraries those materials that are beyond the scope of this library’s collection.
In return for utilizing interlibrary loan to satisfy the needs of our patrons, the Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Memorial Library agrees to lend its material to other libraries through the same interlibrary loan network, and to make an effort to have its current holdings listed on WISCAT, a tool that is accessible by other libraries throughout the state.
Gifts and Donations
The library appreciates and accepts gifts of books and other materials that are in good to excellent condition with the understanding that they will be added to the collection only if they are needed and adhere to the Material Selection Policy. Resource selection will be made by the library director if no specific resource is requested. Gifts and donations, like purchased resources, will be removed from the collection at the end of their useful life.
By law the library is not allowed to appraise the value of donated materials, though it can provide an acknowledgement of receipt of the items if requested by the donor.
Materials for Specific Audiences
When selecting materials for children, the library’s goal is to make available a collection that satisfies their informational and recreational needs. Materials are selected which meet the general needs of the majority of children. Materials whose qualities make them valuable to children with special needs, talents, or interests are also considered.
Criteria for materials selections are the same as for adult and young adult materials with the addition of vocabulary suitable to the age of the intended audience and quality of illustrations in children’s fiction. Obscene works, as defined by Wisconsin state statutes will not be purchased for children.
Materials for the visually impaired, such as large-print books, are acquired according to patron demand. The library also encourages patrons with special needs to use the resources of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
Challenge Procedures
The Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Memorial Library recognizes that some materials are controversial and may offend some patrons.
● Parents or legal guardians have the right and responsibility to guide what their children read, view, or listen to, and determine the appropriateness of the materials their children may borrow.
● The library cannot restrict the freedom of patrons to borrow library materials in the possibility that it may come into the possession of a minor.
● The library may supervise and guide children in the use of the library, along with parents and guardians.
● The library will accommodate individual parent requests to restrict specific titles or materials to one’s child.
● Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their contents and no item will be sequestered except to protect it from damage or theft.
The EGBM Library has established procedures to ensure objective and fair consideration of materials that are selected. Persons from the community wishing to recommend the removal or reclassification of a particular item in the collection may submit a completed and signed Reconsideration of Library Materials form which may be obtained from library staff during business hours or printed from the library website.
We advise persons to read the Material Selection Policy thoroughly before submitting a Reconsideration of Library Materials form.
Once the Reconsideration of Library Materials form has been received, the library director will compile support documents within seven days to present to the patron issuing the complaint to find a satisfactory resolution. The director will promptly notify the Board of Trustees of every complaint, regardless of the outcome of the resolution.
If you are unable to resolve your concern, you may appeal the decision given to you by the library director. Please indicate this intention to the director and your appeal will be placed on the agenda at the next regular Board meeting.
The library director will give the Board of Trustees the form and all supporting paperwork for their review, 10 days prior to the next regular meeting. The inquiry will be placed on the agenda for that meeting. The Board of Trustees will read the material in question as a whole, and not out of context. Discussion and any necessary action will be taken by the Board of Trustees at the initial meeting or its subsequent.
The Board of Trustees reserves the right to limit the length of any presentation and the number of speakers at the meeting. The material will be retained in the collection during the reconsideration process.
An item will be considered for review once in a 12 month period unless there is a new concern with the same book.
This Material Selection Policy and current versions of any applicable state statutes are available to any community member upon request.
Approved 8/18/21
Policy revised 8/3/23
Policy revised 8/15/23
Policy revised 10/4/23
Statement of Concern revised 11/29/23
Policy revised 09/18/24
Reconsideration of Library Materials
The Board of Trustees of the EGBM Library has established a Materials Selection Policy. If you would like the Board to reconsider any resource within our collection, please submit this signed, completed form to the library staff or mailed to the address listed below. The procedure for reconsideration is explained in our Material Selection Policy which will be given to you upon request.
Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Memorial Library
68235 S. Main St.
P. O. Box 145
Iron River, WI 54847
Date__________________________
Name_________________________
Address________________________
City______________ State/Zip_________________
Phone_____________ Email_____________________
Resource on which you are commenting:
___Book (e-Book) ___Movie ______Magazine ______ Audio Recording
___Digital Resource ___Game ____Newspaper ____Other
Title_________________________________________________________________________
Author/Producer_______________________________________________________________
Have you examined the entire resource? If not, what sections did you review?
____________________________________________________________________________
What concerns you about this resource? Please feel free to use the back of this form and attach any supporting documentation.
____________________________________________________________________________
What action are you requesting the Board of Trustees to consider?
____________________________________________________________________________
Are there resources you would suggest to provide additional information and/or other viewpoints on this topic?
____________________________________________________________________________