Marathon County Public Library

ITEM NUMBER: 4.05 a-b

CHAPTER 4: Library

Statements

CODE: Policy

COMPUTER ID: LS-5



Title: Collection Development, An Interpretation of the Library Bill of

Rights.

Effective Date: 11-24-86

Authorized By: Library Board of Trustees

Date of Last Review: 7-2013



Throughout history, the focus of censorship has fluctuated from generation to generation.

Books and other materials have not been selected or have been removed from library

collections for many reasons, among which are prejudicial language and ideas, political

content, economic theory, social philosophies, religious beliefs, sexual forms of expression,

and other topics of a potentially controversial nature.



Some examples of censorship may include removing or not selecting materials because

they are considered by some as racist or sexist; not purchasing conservative religious

materials; not selecting materials about or by minorities because it is thought these groups

or interests are not represented in a community; or not providing information on or

materials from non-mainstream political entities.



Librarians may seek to increase user awareness of materials on various social concerns by

many means, including, but not limited to, issuing bibliographies and presenting exhibits

and programs.



Librarians have a professional responsibility to be inclusive, not exclusive, in collection

development and in the provision of interlibrary loan. Access to all materials legally

obtainable should be assured to the user, and policies should not unjustly exclude materials

even if they are offensive to the librarian or the user. Collection development should reflect

the philosophy inherent in Article II of the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS: "Libraries should

provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical

issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal

disapproval." A balanced collection reflects a diversity of materials, not an equality of

numbers. Collection development responsibilities include selecting materials in the

languages in common use in the community which the library serves. Collection

development and the selection of materials should be done according to professional

standards and established selection and review procedures.



ITEM NUMBER: 4.05 b





There are many complex facets to any issue, and variations of context in which issues may

be expressed, discussed, or interpreted. Librarians have a professional responsibility to be

fair, just, and equitable and to give all library users equal protection in guarding against

violation of the library patrons' right to read, view, or listen to materials and resources

protected by the First Amendment, no matter what the viewpoint of the author, creator, or

selector. Librarians have an obligation to protect library collections from removal of

materials based on personal bias or prejudice, and to select and support the access to

materials on all subjects that meet, as closely as possible, the needs and interests of all

persons in the community which the library serves. This includes materials that reflect

political, economic, religious, social, minority, and sexual issues.



Intellectual freedom, the essence of equitable library services, provides for free access to

all expressions of ideas through which any and all sides of a question, cause, or movement

may be explored. Toleration is meaningless without tolerance for what some may consider

detestable. Librarians cannot justly permit their own preferences to limit their degree of

tolerance in collection development, because freedom is indivisible.





Adopted July 14, 1982; amended January 10, 1990, by the ALA Council.