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| Collection Development
and Improvement Policy |
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| The Library has three
basic functions: information, education, and
entertainment. It achieves these functions by
use of its materials collection. |
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| The Library subscribes
to the ALA’s Freedom to Read statement and the
ALA Library Bill of Rights. |
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The Library considers
materials for addition to or removal from its
collections based on the following general
characteristics:
- Permanent or timely value
- Accurate information
- Authoritativeness
- Clear presentation and
readability
- Social, historical, or literary
significance
- Physical condition
- Local demand
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| Books and materials
will be chosen for the permanent collection on
the basis of the content as a whole. Judgement
will be based on the total effect of the work
and not the presence of words, phrases, or
situations which in themselves, or taken out of
context, might be objectionable. No item will be
excluded because of the race or nationality, or
the political or religious views of the author.
Material representing different viewpoints
concerning the controversies, problems, and
issues of our times – international, national,
and local – will be selected for the purpose of
providing patrons with facts from which they may
form their own judgements. The needs of the
Easton Library District as a whole will be
considered as well as the needs of the Library. |
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| The Library Director
and the professional staff will have the
authority to select materials for the Library
based on the Collection Development and
Improvement Policy. The Board supports the
decisions of the Director and the expertise of
the professional staff in the maintenance,
enhancement, and improvement of the Library’s
collection. |
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| Public suggestions on
the addition of materials to the Library’s
permanent collection are encouraged. Materials
so suggested will be considered for purchase if
they fulfill the general selection standards
outlined herein. It should be understood that
acceptance of a public suggestion is not a
promise or commitment to purchase the item. |
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| Public complaints
regarding the presence of specific materials in
the Library’s permanent collection will be
accepted if filed in writing by a current
Library card holder, using the Request for
Reconsideration form. Completed Request for
Reconsideration forms will be forwarded to the
Library Director, who will confer with the
department head involved and an ad hoc committee
appointed by the Board President to reach a
determination of action to be taken. Subsequent
to this consultation, the chair of the ad hoc
committee or other designated individual will
respond directly to the complainant. Materials
that have been reconsidered in the previous five
years will not be reevaluated. |
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| The Library’s policy is
to purchase the best materials which satisfy the
clientele of the Library and the district within
budget limitations. Requested materials not in
the collection may, however, be made available
through interlibrary loan. |
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| Programming Policy |
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| A program is a planned
public activity that is initiated or sponsored
by the Library. Individuals or entities who wish
to suggest that a program be sponsored by the
Library must fill out a Program Request Form.
Library sponsorship of a program does not
constitute an endorsement of the content of the
program or the views expressed by participants.
Due to limited space within the Library and the
constant demand for various programs, the
Library cannot host routinely recurring programs
for individuals or outside entities. |
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| Library programs must
be non-commercial. No solicitation of business
is permitted. This includes presentations that
are offered for free but with the intention of
soliciting future business. Outside speakers and
performers may not solicit personal information
from attendees, but may provide materials such
as business cards or brochures if asked for
contact information. |
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| All Library programs
are free. A materials fee may be charged if
additional materials are required. |
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| Programs may be
cancelled because of weather, absence of the
presenter, low registration, or other reasons.
Cancelled programs are not always automatically
rescheduled. The Library will not alter or
cancel a program solely because an individual or
group may find its contents objectionable. |
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| All programs are open
to the public though registration may be
required for planning purposes or when space is
limited. Some programs may be designed with
specific audiences in mind. Programs targeted
toward a specific audience will be publicized as
such. The Library reserves the right to use
video or photographs taken of program
participants for internal use, publication, and
use in Library promotional outlets, and for
evaluation purposes. |
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| If a party wishes to
challenge the Library's decision regarding a
program selection or the denial of a program, a
Request for Reconsideration form must be
submitted by a current library card holder and
will be forwarded to the Director for review in
accordance with established reconsideration
procedures. |
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| Library Display and
Exhibit Policy |
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Decisions regarding
content and disposition of displays and exhibits
are made by the EAPL staff. The following
criteria are used in making decisions about
topics, materials, and accompanying resources:
- Community needs and interest.
- Availability of display/exhibit
space.
- Historical, cultural, or
educational significance.
- Connection to other community,
state, or national programs,
exhibitions, or events.
- Relation to Library collections,
services, and programs.
- Need to highlight
low-circulating parts of the
collection.
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| In addition, the
Library may partner with other community
agencies, organizations, educational
institutions, or individuals when planning
displays and exhibits. |
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| The Library welcomes
comments and suggestions for displays and
exhibits to better serve a diverse community.
Public complaints regarding displays and
exhibits may be made using the Request for
Reconsideration form. All Request for
Reconsideration forms must be submitted by a
current library card holder and will be
forwarded to the Director for review in
accordance with established reconsideration
procedures. |
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