PHILOSOPHY
PURPOSE
AUTHORITY FOR SELECTION
CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
CLIENTELE SERVED
FORMAT OF MATERIAL
TYPE OF MATERIAL
INTERNET DISCLAIMER
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT
COOPERATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES
GIFTS AND MEMORIALS
ACCESS TO INFORMATION
RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS

PHILOSOPHY

The Clarion Free Library endorses the Library Bill of Rights and the American Library Association Freedom to Read Statement. The library selects for purchase the best materials available, of both permanent and current value, in terms of content, expression and format to meet the educational, informational, cultural and recreational needs of the community and Clarion County as a whole. The library endeavors to select materials that meet the wide diversity of interests throughout the community. No materials are excluded because of race or nationality or the political, religious, social or artistic philosophy of the writer. The library does not endorse every idea or philosophy contained in the materials acquired. The right for all
opinions to be expressed and the community's freedom of choice is upheld. The library cooperates with the Oil Creek District Library Association's reciprocal borrowing privileges and interlibrary loan. This cooperation eliminates the duplication of
costly acquisitions and residents of the entire district are offered a wider selection of materials.

The selection policy of the Clarion Free Library is an information tool for County residents interested in knowing how materials are selected for the library's collection and a general guide for library staff responsible for selection of materials. The purpose of the Clarion Free Library is to provide circulating materials and reference and information services to all residents of the Clarion Free Library service area. Since Clarion Free Library is the headquarters of the Clarion County Library System, its mission is two-fold: (1) select, make available and promote the use of print and nonprint library materials which educate, enrich, entertain, and inform; and (2) to serve as a gateway to additional resources for county citizens. Based on the requirements for the County System, the Clarion Free Library Board recognizes that the provision of library services necessary for the needs of to day's
citizens requires two levels of resource development:
 

1.	A basic collection at the local level. The primary purpose of the Clarion Free Library is to serve as a local library for its direct service area; thus the basic collection of library materials must be adequate to meet the needs and special interests of various segments of the Clarion Community.
2.	A comurehensive supuorting collection at the Clarion County System level. This collection complements those of the member libraries and includes in-depth reference materials beyond the normal scope of the basic collection.

Ultimate responsibility for the selection of library materials rests with the Library Director, who operates within the framework of policies determined by the Board of Trustees. Ongoing responsibility is shared with a Selection Committee consisting of the
Cataloger, the Children's Librarian and members of the staff, who monitor the selection process. Recommendations from the staff and community at large are welcome, particularly from persons with subject expertise.

	Accuracy of information
	Potential or known use by patrons
	Library merit or artistic quality
	Importance of author
	-Timeliness
	Significance of subject matter
	Authoritativeness of publisher or producer
	Relationship to other material in the collection
	Current and/or permanent value to the collection
	Scarcity of material on the subject
	Availability of material elsewhere in the area (county, district, state)
	Price
	Suitability of format--size, paper, print, binding
	Ease of use (in particular with regard to electronic resources)

Because selectors cannot read, listen to, or view every item added to the collection, professionally recognized reviewing tools are used in the selection process. On a continuing basis, selectors examine the following publications.
 

	Booklist
	Library Journal
	Publisher's Weekly
	School Library Journal
	New York Times Book Review
	Reviews in Amazon and Barnes & Noble
	Other sources may also be consulted.

The library endeavors to provide adults a full range of materials including books, periodicals, newspapers, pamphlets, maps, microfoms, audio and videocassettes, and electronic databases. Selectors take into consideration all backgrounds, abilities, and
levels of education identifiable within the adult community. Citizen demand is considered and material suggested by the patrons may be added to the collection, if it meets selection criteria.
 

B.	Young Adults

Young adults (Grades 6-12) use materials from the young adult collection as well as the adult and children's collections. The library chooses materials to interest this age group in reading for pleasure and to encourage them to become lifelong readers.
The selection policy for young adults employs the same general criteria used for all other collections. Since these readers differ widely in ability and background, the materials selected will, of necessity, vary in content and reading difficulty.
 
 

C.

Children

The library selects material to provide a well-balanced collection for children from early childhood through grade 5.

Specific criteria for selection include suitability of content and vocabulary to the level of the reader, fair and accurate treatment of the subject, and contribution of the material to the balance of the total children's collection. Additional materials are selected for qualities, which make them valuable with special needs, talents, problems, or interests.

Paperbound materials must meet the library's selection criteria. Hardbound and paperbound formats are available in all collections.
 

2.	Periodicals

Periodicals for adults and for children provide a current source for general reading, entertainment or research. Selection principles unique to periodicals include accessibility of content through indexes or electronic databases and subscription cost.
The periodicals collection covers a broad range of interests. Generally, titles have popular rather than specialized appeal. Currently owned titles are evaluated regularly on the basis of use, changing community needs, and budgetary constraints. The library acquires new titles if they fill a particular information need, are requested frequently, or are well reviewed.
 

3.	Maps and Atlases

The library maintains a representative collection of maps and atlases, which include current travel, and road maps, typographical maps, and historical maps. Important general and thematic atlases of the world, its continents, regions, and nations are also selected. Additional criteria used in selecting maps and atlases:
 

	need for coverage
	date published
	scale-preferably large or medium scale
	quality of color reproduction
	readability of types
	accuracy, comprehensiveness, and accessibility of indexes
	authenticity, comprehensiveness, and current of statistics

 

4.	Newspapers

Newspapers provide current news coverage on both local and intemationallevels, satisfy information and recreational needs, and offer a unique source of local information. Newspapers selected for purchase include all established Clarion County newspapers, major newspapers of the surrounding area (Pittsburgh), and other recognized nation newspapers as budget allows.
 

B.	NON-PRINT MATERIALS
1.	Audio-visual materials

Audio-visual materials, including audiocassettes, videocassettes, compact discs, and software for children are purchased for a wide range of interests and age levels. Selection is based on evaluations found in publications, which include reviews of audio-visual materials. Community interest and budgetary limitations are also considered.
 

2.	Electronic resources

Electronic resources such as bibliographic and full text databases, directories, and encyclopedias are an important means by which information is provided to a wide range of library users. Selection of electronic resources is based on favorable reviews, potential use, cost and ease of use.
 

3.	Microforms

The library purchases microforms to save money and space, as well as to preserve materials, which would not survive in another format. Included are previous issues of the Clarion News and the Leader-Vindicator. General selection criteria apply to microforms.

The fiction collection includes novels and short stories in the English language for a wide range of reading interests. This includes classics and semi-classics, titles representing periods and styles in writing, and books which have wide popular appeal. While it is not possible to establish a single standard of literary quality, the library selects fiction that is:
 

	is competently written
	has constructive and plausible characterizations
	portrays the human experience honestly
	contributes to the balance of the collection in regard to (a) types and styles of  literature, (b) subject treated, and (c) patron appeal.

Novels are selected on the basis of originality, contemporary significance, or permanent value as creative, experimental, or realistic writing. Each title is judged on its own merit. No attempt is made to collect the complete works of an author.
 

2.	Non-fiction

The nonfiction collection provides information on a wide range of subjects and interests. General treatment of subject matter is preferred unless there is an identified community need for more specialized treatment in specific subject areas. Materials of historical importance to a subject field may ,also be selected. Subject concentrations may be built in response to the community demand, but these concentrations will be monitored and changed to adapt to changing community interests and information needs. Emphasis is placed on balance within the collection and the inclusion of materials reflecting varying viewpoints and educational levels.
 

3.	Reference materials

The reference collection provides access to factual information within the entire range of human knowledge. Materials must be accurate and authoritative. No attempt is made to duplicate extensive research collections available in the nearby academic library of Carlson Library at Clarion University. Special considerations for reference materials include: scope and depth of coverage; ease of use and special locating features; and, historical perspective as well as currency. Emphasis also is placed on acquiring materials relating to Pennsylvania, Clarion County, and Clarion.
 

4.	Large Print

Books in large print are purchased for patrons with limited vision. Recent and popular titles, as well as fiction and nonfiction classics, are selected from large print publishers. Talking books and Braille materials are not selected locally. Patrons requesting these materials are referred to the Carnegie Library of the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
 
 

5.	Local authors

Works written or produced by local authors are acquired if these materials meet general selection criteria.
 

6.

Audio

The adult audio collection includes spoken recordings. The spoken recordings collection includes a variety of fiction and nonfiction books-on-cassette, both in abridged and unabridged formats.
 

B.	Young Adults

The young adult collection includes materials whose theme, content, and format indicate that they would be a primary interest of young adults rather than to children or adults. The collection is primarily composed of materials specifically written for young adults; however, materials produced for adults or children which address concerns and interests of young adults may be selected to provide for the wide variation in sophistication and reading ability of this age group. The collection provides a transition from children's literature to adult literature.
 

C.	Children's

The library offers a full range of materials for children. These materials are chosen form standard selection tools.
 

1.	Easy Books

Easy books meets the interests and needs of children from preschool through early elementary grades. These picture books and beginning-to-read books must contain text with literary quality and/or well-executed, imaginative illustrations.
 

2.

Fiction

Fiction is provided for children of various reading levels through fifth grade. Fiction for children must reflect life with integrity and sound human values. Well-written books of imaginative fiction and those which portray a period, an incident, or a way of life are selected despite the occasional use of a questionable word or illustration.
 

3.	Non-fiction

Non-fiction is provided for children through grade five. Non-fiction must be accurate, informative, current, and is selected in as wide a range of reading levels and interests as possible.
 

4.

Reference

The children's reference collection provides quick access to factual infoffilation in many areas of human knowledge. Material in this collection is intended for both children and adults interested in children's literature.
 

5.	Audiovisual

The children's audiovisual collection consists of cassettes, cassette/book kits and software. Cassettes include spoken recordings. They are purchased for children ages preschool through grade 5. Emphasis is on entertainment with literary value, not curriculum support. Software cannot be borrowed. Software is selected for children ages preschool through elementary school. Emphasis is on software of an educational nature.

In order to maintain the purpose and quality of the library's resources, removal of material from the collection is given the same degree of attention as the initial selection. Titles that contain dated information, are in poor condition and cannot be rebound, or are no longer in demand are systemically removed. Titles which are not outdated and add to the literature of a certain field, but are no longer needed by the library because of diminishing use, may be offered to other units in the county or district. Multiple copies of titles are purchased to meet heavy patron demand. Duplication is kept at a minimum, but is sufficient in number to insure that the library is a dependable community resource. Material is borrowed from other libraries by means of a loan system operating under the Pennsylvania Interlibrary Loan Code. However, the library must purchase, and duplicate when necessary, subject matter that is popular locally.

The Library recognizes the wealth of resources available through other libraries in the Oil Creek District Center area and Clarion County Library Association area and does not needlessly duplicate materials. The Access Pennsylvania Program makes available the resources of libraries throughout the state of Pennsylvania to Clarion Free Library patrons.

The library accepts books and other materials with the understanding that they may not necessarily be added to the collection. The material is evaluated by the same selection standards employed for the purchase of new materials. If the material is not
suitable because of condition, out-dated information, or other considerations, the library reserves the right to discard, sell, or refer such material to another institution. The library does not appraise gifts. The library cannot make an appraisal of a gift for tax deduction or any other purpose, and shares no responsibility in the evaluation of said gift. The Library may not accept materials if the condition or acceptance requires permanent exhibition or retention. The Board of Directors will assume responsibility for final disposition of any gift. Except for temporary exhibit purposes, the library will not accept storage responsibility of historical documents or objects owned or controlled by others. The Library also accepts gifts of materials, or money for the purchase of materials, from individuals and organizations. Such gifts may be in memory or honor of an individual, in which case a memorial or honor gift plate is added. Library selection standards apply in these cases. Memorial materials will be selected by the Librarian, and by members of the Selection Committee. The nature of the material will be based upon the needs of the library, with consideration given to the interests of the deceased and the wishes of the donor. All attempts will be made to select a gift that will add lasting quality to the library's collection. But as with any gift, memorials will be discarded when no longer of use, according to the Circulation Department of the Library. If this policy conflicts with your own values, then the library will be more than happy to refund your money before an item is ordered.  Memorial/Honor Program Form 

An informed public is possible only through free access to materials reflecting a variety of ideas and opinions. The public library has the institutional responsibility to support and promote this freedom by selecting and providing materials which are controversial and may be unpopular with segments of the public. In fulfilling this responsibility, the library does not promulgate or support specific beliefs or viewpoints. Likewise, the selection of materials for inclusion in the collection does not constitute endorsement of the viewpoints contained therein. The Clarion Free Library affirms the public's right to free access to information, and adheres to the conceptual framework expressed in the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read and Freedom to View statements adopted by the American Library Association. Censorship, in this context, is viewed as a purely
individual matter. While anyone is free to object for himself/herself books or other materials of which he/she does not approve, he/she cannot exercise this right of censorship to restrict the freedom of others. With respect to the use of library materials by children, the library places responsibility for the selection of choices of children with the parents or legal guardians.

The Library does not practice censorship. Patrons may request that materials within the collection be re-evaluated. To do so, the form, "Citizen's Request for Reconsideration of Library Material," must be completed and signed. The Board of Directors and Head Librarian will review such written complaints. Patrons receive a written reply to these requests.