The Grace M. Pickens Public Library attempts to provide a comprehensive, well-balanced collection of general and specialized materials to meet the communities needs. This document establishes the policies and principles that will guide the selection of materials.

The Collection Development Policy provides information for library users seeking to understand the process of materials selection, maintenance and the composition of the collection; helps library staff respond in an informed and professional manner to customer inquiries regarding selection. assists those purchasing materials for the library.

The staff of the Grace M. Pickens Public Library believes that the right to read and the right of free access to the library collections for all people are essential elements of our service to the community. Accordingly, the Library Bill of Rights is part of the Collection Development Policy.
PART I. ROLE OF THE MISSION STATEMENT IN POLICY

The Grace M. Pickens Public Library will be a central part of the community by providing friendly, professional service and a broad collection of materials and programs for all ages.

The quality service that our library provides is dependent upon materials being available for circulation and use. The collection of the Grace M. Pickens Public Library reflects the interests and needs of the community, as well as containing a standard core of classics.

The library director is responsible for the selection , evaluation and purchasing of library materials. The Director will use the General Selection Criteria in purchasing materials and in evaluating gifts to add to the collection.

Comments and suggestions regarding this policy may be submitted in writing to the director.

A. Objects in Selection:

Grace M. Pickens Public Library attempts to provide a comprehensive, well-balanced collection of general and specialized materials to satisfy the needs and demands of the community. In addition, the library strives to be a dependable source in meeting people’s requests for information and reading material.

Chosen materials must meet one or more of the following criteria:

Special need for, and the scarcity of, material on a particular subject will be taken into consideration.

Materials may be purchased because of their popularity and demand, despite the fact that they may not meet usual standards of literary quality. Duplication of titles within the collection is contingent upon demand as well as the budget.

Materials on human physical development and human sexuality are carefully selected on the basis of scientific accuracy, quality of presentation, and target audience. This consideration is especially important in selecting materials for the young adult and children’s collections.

Purchase requests for particular titles from library customers are welcome and will be considered for purchase. If a suggested item is not purchased, the library will attempt to borrow the item through Interlibrary Loan.

Selection is based on the total work and not on the presence of words, phrases, or situations, which in and of themselves might be objectionable. Serious works presenting an honest aspect of some problem of life are not excluded because of coarse language or frankness.

Items relating to countries, racial ethnicity, nationalities, and religious groups are carefully selected, and those that reflect discriminatory attitudes are not purchased. Items that are recognized as classics and are of considerable literary merit are retained, even though the content may be unacceptable by modern standards.

The library will provide works presenting different points of view, thus enabling customers to make their own decisions about important issues. Items will not be excluded because of the racial ethnicity, nationality, political, moral, ethical or religious views of the author.

The array of opinions and viewpoints in our culture makes it impractical for every library item to be universally appealing. The Grace M. Pickens Public Library does not advocate a position on any issue. Our responsibility is to provide a variety of viewpoints on many topics.

Library users who have concerns regarding a title in the collection, may complete and sign the “Customer Comment on Library Materials” form. The form may either be mailed or given to the library director. The director will review all comments and evaluate the material. A letter will be written to the customer explaining what action was taken. Customers who are not satisfied may appeal to the Library Board of Trustees. A final appeal may be made to the City Council.

The Grace M. Pickens Public Library does not knowingly add or retain materials that are deemed to be illegal under Oklahoma or Federal laws.

Students are encouraged to use the library’s collection. However, since funds must cover the needs of the community, the Grace M. Pickens Public Library can serve only as a supplementary source for students’ reading and reference purposes. The library is not able to meet the demands for large class assignments requiring multiple copies or specialized subject matter needed for college-level classes. In serving as a supplementary source for student use, the library selects materials that will also be useful for the general reader.

Interlibrary Loan is a service provided by the Grace M. Pickens Public Library to obtain material or information that is not available in our library or from our online databases. Customers may request specific book titles, magazine articles or information on a particular subject.

Interlibrary Loan is not intended as a substitute for developing a collection that serves the needs of the community. It is a method in which the library can obtain out-of-print items or items that are specialized or technical in nature.

Books and non-print items are reviewed on a regular basis. It is the responsibility of the library staff to constantly update the collection and to discard items. Factors for disposal are: physical wear, low or nonexistent usage, outdated information, inaccurate information plus multiple copies that are no longer in demand. Materials are removed from the shelves and then sold in the library’s book sale to generate funds for library materials, equipment or programs.

Materials withdrawn from the collection due to loss, damage or wear are replaced only if they remain useful (current, important in the subject field, in demand, etc.).

Monetary and material gifts to the library are appreciated. Gifts of money and materials are accepted with the understanding that library staff evaluates the materials using the General Selection Criteria—the same criteria used in selecting purchased items.

Gifts of books, audios, videos, DVDs, and magazines are accepted with the understanding that if they are not added to the collection that they will be placed in the library’s book sale or discarded. The library does not appraise donations for income tax purposes but does provide a gift receipt. All donations for collection will be processed and located in the appropriate area as decided upon by the library staff.

DATE: _____/ _____/ _____ NUMBER OF ITEMS _____ RECEIVED BY ______

NAME OF DONOR ___________________________________________________

VALUE AS ESTIMATED BY DONOR $___________(to be filled in by the donor).

Selections for addition the library’s collection will be based upon the library’s policies and guidelines. Thank you for your donation; we are pleased that you are interested in the development of the library and its collection .

Library staff will meet with the donor to insure that gift selections, such as Memorial Gifts, are mutually satisfactory. Monetary gifts for the purchase of materials will be accepted with the understanding that the library staff exercises the final responsibility for deciding which titles will be purchased.

Materials are chosen for the information, interest and recreational needs of the community. The selection of non-print materials will follow the guidelines given in the General Selection Criteria, with special consideration given to the appropriateness of the various formats available. Choice of formats may be based on several factors: whether or not the information is conveyed well through a certain format; if the format is in demand by our customers; and, if the information needs to be preserved in print format for long-term, future use.

The nonfiction collection is directed to those who use the public library as their first or primary resource for information. The library will provide materials in subject areas of established demand or in anticipation of a demand by the community.

Textbooks are added only if they provide information on subject where there is little or no material available in any other form or when the textbook makes a significant contribution to the collection. Books of a scientific or technical nature are available to the public or through Interlibrary Loan.

The Grace M. Pickens Public Library may offer a general collection of historical and current materials about Oklahoma that meets the General Selection Criteria.

The library recognizes the importance of fiction as a source of enrichment and entertainment for the community.

Newspapers and magazines provide information not found in books. They are intended for reference use, for recreational reading and to balance the collection. Titles are chosen for their subject matter, popular demand and recreational value. Gift subscriptions are accepted and appreciated. Acceptance of gift subscriptions follows Part III, Section H.

Back issues of magazines are kept for two years, or as space allows. Newspapers are kept for one month, or as space allows.

The library recognizes the importance of video materials as a source of entertainment for the community. Titles are chosen for their subject matter, popular demand and recreational value.

Separate collections are provided for children, young adults and adults using the General Selection Criteria. Service to all ages through the careful selection of materials, plus assistance in using those items, is the basic responsibility of the Grace M. Pickens Public Library. Librarians are available to help customers locate items that fit their personal tastes and interests. The supervision of a child’s access to library materials is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian.

Attention is given to acquiring items useful in meeting the educational, informational, and recreational interests of customers with differing tastes, pursuits, interests and reading skills.

Library service for young adults is designed to reflect the interests and needs of young people, ages thirteen through seventeen. Materials written for the “young adults” or “teen” audience, that meet the General Selection Criteria, are selected for this collection area.

In choosing materials for children, the library’s objective is to make available print and non-print items for young people preschool through age twelve. Criteria for material selection include literary and artistic worth, suitability of content and vocabulary to the age of the readers, and the contribution of the materials to the balance of the total collections. The Children’s Librarian follows standards by which items are placed in the appropriate collection areas: picture books, easy readers, juvenile fiction, and young adult fiction.

We welcome your comments. Before completing the form, you may find it informative and helpful to read the following brief summary of the library’s policy on library materials.

The Grace M. Pickens Public Library serves people from all walks of life that possess a variety of viewpoints and tastes. The library staff chooses books and other materials to meet the informational, educational and recreational needs of our community. The staff is guided by the Collection Development Policy, which is adopted by the Library Board of Trustees.

Grace M. Pickens Public Library attempts to provide a comprehensive, well-balanced collection of general and specialized materials to meet the needs and demands of the community. Chosen materials must meet one or more of the following criteria:

If you would like a copy of the Collection Development Policy for the Grace M. Pickens Public Library, please ask a library staff member.

Your comments will receive a written reply within 30 days.

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Date Submitted

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Name Telephone

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Address City State Zip Code

If you are acting as the official spokesperson for an organization, please specify:

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Library material on which you are commenting:

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Title

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Author

Please comment on the material as a whole. Be specific about the matters which concern you. Please feel free to suggest other materials (books, videos, etc.) on the subject for our consideration:

The Grace M. Pickens Public Library welcomes use of the library by individuals of all ages to support their personal, educational and professional needs. Library cards, with borrowing privileges, will be issued to residents of the City of Holdenville and Hughes County without charge. No registration fee will be charged for those individuals who live, work, attend school or own property in Hughes County. Individuals who do not meet one of these criterions may apply for a nonresident library card. The Grace M. Pickens Public Library Board of Trustees sets non-resident fees. The fee is $5.00 per household per twelve (12) month period. Payment of the fee entitles the applicant’s immediate family to full library service for the twelve-month period. Applicants wanting a library card must apply in person. Photo identification showing current address is required for customers age sixteen and older before a library card can be issued. A utility bill or printed checks are also acceptable to prove current address. Cards will be issued to all individuals having attained the minimum age of six years. Children under the age of sixteen must have a parent or guardian apply for their library cards. Parents/guardians must meet the registration guidelines listed above and must sign the borrower’s card acknowledging responsibility for library materials checked out by the child.

Books, audio books and magazines circulate for two weeks. Reference books are non-circulating. Videos and DVDs circulate for one week. All circulating materials may be renewed one time if not on reserve for someone else.

$1.00 Library replacement card

$5.00/year-Nonresident library card ($5.00 for a single household to receive a library card for each family member at that household

$.05-per day late fee up to $5.00

$1.00 per page faxing with the United States

$.10 per page for receiving incoming fax

$.25 per page computer & copy machine generated black and white copies

$25.00 replacement fee per items lost or damaged (non-refundable if item is later found)

§65-1-105. Disclosure of records.

A. Any library which is in whole or in part supported by public funds including but not limited to public, academic, school or special libraries, and having records indicating which of its documents or other materials, regardless of format, have been loaned to or used by an identifiable individual or group shall not disclose such records to any person except to:

1. Persons acting within the scope of their duties in the administration of the library;

2. Persons authorized to inspect such records, in writing, by the individual or group; or

3. By order of a court of law.

B. The requirements of this section shall not prohibit middle and elementary school libraries from maintaining a system of records that identifies the individual or group to whom library materials have been loaned even if such system permits a determination, independent of any disclosure of such information by the library, that documents or materials have been loaned to an individual or group.

The Grace M. Pickens Public Library staff hope that the families, who use our library, will see our facility as warm, inviting and a fun place to be. We also hope that children will visit the library and develop a lifelong love of books, reading and libraries. We want to extend a friendly reminder that parents and guardians are responsible for their children while their children are at the library or attending programs.

Parents are strongly encouraged to come into the library with their children to confirm that the scheduled program is available for their child. Sometimes the library program requires pre-registration or attracts a full capacity crowd in the meeting room. Children who are unable to look out for their own safety should not be left unattended at the library.

Policy:

Parents and guardians are responsible for their juvenile children* while their children are at the library. Children who are unable to look out for their own safety shall not be left unattended at the library. In no event may children 7 years of age or younger be left unattended in the library.

*Oklahoma State Law (Title 15 ss13) defines a juvenile as a person under 18 years of age.

Materials not available in the Grace M. Pickens Public Library can be requested on interlibrary loan from participating libraries registered with the Oklahoma Department of Libraries for that program.

To borrow on interlibrary loan the patron must have a card with the Grace M. Pickens Public Library and have established a positive return record.

Every effort will be made by staff to secure material requested by any patron.

The library will lend to other libraries materials, which are not available in the borrowing library. Patrons of the Grace M. Pickens Public Library will, however, have first priority.

The Grace M. Pickens Public Library does not charge postage to return interlibrary loan book (s), unless an excessive amount of items are requested.

• Reservations for meeting room space are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Library sponsored programs will have preference.
• No group may consider the library its permanent meeting place or use the library as its mailing address.
• The Grace M. Pickens Public Library director has the authority to accept, renew, or reject requests for use of the room under the established policy.
• The library facilities may not be used for any religious worship, exercise or instruction, or the support of any religious establishment.
• Meetings should conform to the scheduled operating hours of the library.
• The applicant is responsible for discipline and reasonable care of the room. The applicant will be held responsible for any damage, and the condition of the room after its use, e.g., chairs stacked, utensils washed, kitchenette cleaned. Failure to do so may result in denial of future use of the room.
• There shall be no interference with the use of the library by its patrons, e.g., noise, overcrowding of library or parking lot. .
• The library will not provide storage for any group.
• It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide necessary equipment if it is not available at the library.
• Refreshments may be served, provided proper care is given to clean-up after the meeting. Alcoholic beverages may not be served or consumed on library property. The Grace M. Pickens Public Library is a smoke free facility
• The Library Manager may ask that meetings of youth groups have an adult in attendance.
• Notify a library staff member if a meeting must be canceled.
• Failure to comply with the Meeting Room Use Policy and Guidelines and Rules will result in withdrawal of meeting room use privileges.
• Groups using the library meeting rooms must not use advertising an publicity which imply tat their programs are sponsored , co sponsored or approved by the library.

04/28/2008

This page was last updated on: 05/03/2006