GOALS

The Wellesley Free Library's selection of books, and other print and non-print materials, is intended to ensure that it fulfills its mission "to satisfy the informational, intellectual, and cultural needs of the Wellesley community, and to enhance and enrich all patrons' life-long reading, learning, and educational experiences."  To that end, a wide, inclusive range of selections is provided in a variety of formats including books, periodicals, sound and video recordings, and various electronic media.

PHILOSOPHY

The careful selection of materials in all formats is a critical step towards the realization of the library's goals and objectives.

Materials in the library's collection are chosen for their intrinsic worth, timeliness and relevance in meeting the diverse intellectual, cultural and recreational needs of the community.  The library also recognizes its responsibility to provide materials presenting diverse points of view.  Thus, materials selected range from the simple, familiar and conventional to the complex, unusual and sophisticated.  Practical considerations in the selection of materials, however, include budget constraints, relative size of each subject area and the availability of materials within the network and through inter-library loan.

The library collection development policy is guided by the Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read statement and the Free Access to Libraries for Minors Statements of the American Library Association.

RESPONSIBILITY FOR MATERIAL SELECTION

The ultimate responsibility for material selection, as for all library activities, lies with the Director, who operates within the framework of policies determined by the Board of Library Trustees.

SCOPE OF THE COLLECTION

The Wellesley Free Library collects materials in many formats.  The scope of the collection is inclusive and presents different points of view.  An effort is made to appeal to all age groups.  The library does not purchase textbooks although exceptions are made when material is not readily available in other formats.

BEYOND WELLESLEY'S COLLECTION

The library is a member of the Minuteman Library Network, the MetroWest Massachusetts Regional Library System and OCLC, all of which provide access to materials beyond Wellesley's collection.  When requests are made for materials beyond Wellesley's collection, every effort will be made to either refer patrons to neighboring libraries or to borrow the desired materials from another library.

SELECTION PROCESS

The material selection process follows established professional standards and does not reflect the personal interest or bias of any individual.  Materials are selected on the basis of numerous criteria some of which are listed below:

• Specific relevance to the citizens of Wellesley
• Current usefulness, popular demand or permanent value
• Authority and competence in presentation
• Importance as an historical record
• Relevance to the existing collection
• Relative importance in comparison with other works on the subject.

The library welcomes comments from the general public regarding the selection of materials, although final decisions on additions to the collection are made in accordance with the collection development policy.

All suggestions will be considered in relation to the overall collection, budget constraints and regional availability.

JUVENILE AND YOUTH MATERIALS

The library supports a collection of children's materials that include books and non-print materials for a wide variety of ages and reading levels.  The principles and criteria for the selection and maintenance of children's materials are the same as those for adult materials.

The library cooperates with the Wellesley Public School libraries in meeting children's needs.  The major function of school libraries is to support curricula.  The library's collection aims to complement school collections.  Materials selected May support the school curriculum but the scope of the collection is more comprehensive.

BRANCHES

The Wellesley Free Library maintains two branch libraries which focus primarily on recreational materials for adults and children in a variety of formats.

RECONSIDERATION OF MATERIALS

A patron who would like a title reviewed for either inclusion or exclusion from the collection may submit a written Request for Reconsideration Form to the Director.  The Director will consider the request in light of the library's goals, guiding philosophy (including the referenced statements of the American Library Association) selection criteria, collection assessment data, and collection profiles.  The Trustees will review appeals of the Director's decisions and shall use the same factors to inform their decisions.

MAINTAINING THE COLLECTION

Periodically, the Director and staff evaluate materials to insure a useable and vital collection.  Withdrawn materials no longer suitable for the collection are usually given to the Friends of the Wellesley Free Libraries for sale to benefit the library.  Some materials may be discarded.

The Wellesley Free Libraries also maintains a systematic program for the repair and preservation of library materials.

REVIEW OF COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY

In order to maintain a dynamic materials selection program, which reflects current community needs and developments in library management, this policy shall be evaluated, periodically, by the board of Library Trustees with input from the Director and staff collection development committee.

Approved 2/06/06