It is the goal of the North Castle Public Library to provide its public, regardless of origin, age, and background of views, with information which satisfies their educational and recreational requirements through the purchase and organization of books, periodicals, non-print and electronic media.
The Library Board of Trustees stresses the importance of those materials having contemporary significance and permanent value. Materials are chosen within the limits of our budget to inform, entertain, enlighten, and offer creative inspiration.
The selection of library materials is delegated to the Library Director and under his/her direction to the professional staff who are qualified by reason of education, training and experience.
Materials must be measured by objective guidelines. All acquisitions are considered in terms of the following criteria. However, an item need not meet all of the criteria in order to be accepted.
General Criteria:
- Present or potential relevance to community needs.
- Importance as a document of the times.
- Relation to the existing collection and other materials on the subject.
- Insight into human and social conditions.
- Attention given by critics, reviews, and the public.
- Suitability of subject and style for intended audience. Materials are selected for their positive values and not necessarily excluded because of coarse language or frankness.
- Appropriateness and effectiveness of medium to content.
- Suitability of physical form for library use.
- No item will be excluded because of the race, religion, nationality, or personal history of the author.
The same standards apply to the selection of gift materials to be added to the collection as to selection of items for purchase.
The library has a special interest in local and regional history, and in the works of local authors. The library applies the same standards of selection as it does to other library materials.
Materials that have outlived their usefulness are to be withdrawn. Materials that are part of the collection may be removed at the discretion of the Library Director.
The library draws upon the resources and collections of member libraries of the Westchester Library System in order to complement the library’s collection and serve the needs of the public.
Should someone disagree with the inclusion of an item in the collection, a Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials may be obtained at the circulation or reference desk. The Director is available to discuss the interpretation and application of the selection criteria, and will make the final determination on all Requests for Reconsideration with the Board.
The Library Board of Trustees endorses the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement adopted by the American Library Association and the WLS Internet Policy adopted by the Westchester Library System Board of Trustees.
Adopted by the Board of Trustees of on May 11, 1998.
Reviewed September 9, 2002
Reviewed June 9, 2008