PURPOSE OF THE POLICY

Lilly Library is dedicated to providing the best possible support for the cultural and intellectual lives of residents primarily, but not exclusively, of the villages of Florence and Leeds. As a major part of achieving this mission, we try to ensure that all members of our community have free access to high-quality printed materials, media, and electronic resources that will meet their informational and recreational needs. The Board of Trustees endorses The Freedom to Read Statement of the American Library Association and the Association for American Publishers, as well as The Library Bill of Rights adopted by the American Library Association. Both these documents are located in the Appendix of this policy manual.

The purpose of the Lilly Library Collection Development Policy is to guide Library staff and to inform the public about the principles upon which the Library's collection is built. The intent is to provide a basis for building and maintaining the Library's information resources in a manner that is both cost effective and relevant to library users.

RESPONSIBILITY AND CRITERIA FOR MATERIALS SELECTION

Ultimate responsibility for materials selection policy lies with the Trustees. The Trustees delegate to the Director of the Library the selection of library materials and the development of the collection. Staff members aid in this selection process as the Director deems appropriate. The general public may recommend materials for consideration.

"Selection" refers to the decision that must be made either to add a given book or other item to the collection or to retain one already in the collection. Competent reviewing sources and basic lists of standard works are consulted as an aid in selection.

We aim for a balanced collection. However, Lilly is a reading library, not a research library, and this fact heavily influences our collection. We aim for a roughly 2:1 ratio of fiction to nonfiction, and with few exceptions all of our books should be accessible to a non-specialized reader. Two of our special focuses in fiction are mysteries and international literature. Some of our special focuses in nonfiction are biographies, spiritual growth, social issues, consumer health, and the world of letters.

FACTORS INFLUENCING SELECTION OF MATERIALS

THE COMMUNITY'S INTERESTS AND NEEDS: Recognizing that any community contains people with different backgrounds, sensibilities, personalities, interests, and needs, Lilly must strive to provide materials that balance all elements. A conscious effort will be made to create an unbiased collection, thereby avoiding one set of religious, political, or moral values in the selection process.

THE MERITS OF EACH BOOK OR OTHER MATERIAL: Non-fiction will be selected on the basis of its timeliness, accuracy, authoritativeness, clarity, relation to the existing collection, and its relevance to the needs of the community. Fiction works will be considered on the basis of the quality of the writing, significance of the author, popular appeal, and permanent values. Materials are selected on the basis of their content as a whole, rather than focusing on isolated passages. In no case is any book included or excluded merely because of the race, nationality, personal history, or political or religious views of the author. In the case of controversial issues, variety, diversity, and balance of opinion are represented whenever legitimate works are available. Serious works, which present an honest aspect of life, are not necessarily excluded for frankness of expression.

CONSTRAINTS: Duplication of titles is determined by popularity and importance of the book. The materials budget, the existing collection, the limits of shelf space, and the availability of the work elsewhere are further limitations on the selection of materials. Lilly actively seeks to draw upon the collections and resources of other libraries through the interlibrary loan and Regional deposit systems, to ensure effective use of the budget, and to reduce unnecessary duplication of resources. However, the availability of supplementary resources will not excuse deficiencies in the our own collection.

CRITERIA FOR WITHDRAWAL

In order to facilitate a relevant collection of resources, the collection must be maintained by evaluating what has been obtained and withdrawing items that are no longer appropriate. The withdrawal of outdated or superceded materials is as crucial to the maintenance of a useful and viable collection as is the selection process.

Frequency of circulation, community interests, and availability of newer and more valid materials are of prime consideration. Local history and other materials of special value are exceptions. Fiction that was once popular but is no longer in demand will be discarded unless of recognized permanent value, as will nonfiction materials which are determined to be no longer accurate or current.

GIFTS AND DONATIONS

Gifts and donations of materials accepted by Lilly Library are subject to the same process as purchased materials. They are considered with the explicit understanding that such factors as duplication, merit, lack of community interest, processing costs, physical condition of the materials, or inadequate shelf space may prevent their addition to the collection or permanent retention on the shelves. Gifts and donations are accepted with the understanding that we may, at any time, discard them or offer them for sale.