Collection Development Policy
Updated: 2019
The Port Chester – Rye Brook Public Library seeks to provide the community with information that satisfies educational, entertainment and recreational pursuits through the purchase and organization of books, periodicals, newspapers, audio and video recordings, and other forms of electronic media.
In support of these goals, the Library emphasizes the importance of materials that have contemporary significance or permanent value. Materials are chosen, within budgetary limits, to inform, inspire and entertain; to excite new interests, and to satisfy free inquiry.
The Library Board of Trustees delegates the authority and responsibility for the selection of library materials to the Library Director and, under supervision, to the professional librarian staff who are qualified by reason of education, training, and experience.
To build a collection of enduring merit, materials must be measured by objective guidelines. All acquisitions, whether purchased or donated, are subject to the standards listed below. An item need not meet all of the criteria for acceptance. Some materials may be judged primarily on artistic merit, while others are considered because of scholarship, historic value, or ability to satisfy the needs of the community.
GENERAL CRITERIA
Relevance, present and potential, to community needs. The Library makes a conscious effort to obtain materials pertaining to local matters – civic, cultural, artistic, educational, recreational, and historic.
Topicality, or the importance of material as a document or recording of the times. Relation to the existing collection and other materials on the subject. An effort is made to include significant works to illuminate the different and important sides of issues.
Reputation and significance of the author. No item will be excluded because of the race, religion, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, political or doctrinal beliefs or personal history of an author.
Insight into human and social conditions.
Attention given by critics, reviewers, and the public.
Suitability of the physical form of the material for library use.
Price as a reasonable value for anticipated use.
Accuracy of scientific or historical facts.
Popular demand.
The Library recognizes that certain materials are controversial and that any item may offend some library users. Selections are not made on the basis of any anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the merits of the works in relation to the goals of building and enhancing a collection that serves the diverse interests of the community.
Continual evaluation of library holdings is an essential part of collection development. To ensure a vital collection of continued value to the community, materials that are judged by the professional staff to have outlived their usefulness are withdrawn. Decisions for removal are based on diminished circulation, physical condition, usefulness, and accuracy.
Library materials are not marked or identified to imply or show approval or disapproval of the contents. All materials are kept on open shelves except those that are not replaceable.
The Library provides books and other materials suitable for children and young adults in collections that are clearly labeled. Materials are selected for their merits and not necessarily excluded because of coarse language or frankness. The Library does not deny or limit access to any item because of its content or style.
Selection of materials for the Library’s collections shall not be inhibited by the possibility that some material may inadvertently come into the possession of children. Responsibility for the reading, listening, and viewing of Library materials by children rests with their parents or legal guardians.
Since the Library benefits from the resources of many other libraries throughout the
Westchester Library System does not acquire highly specialized or technical materials which can be obtained through interlibrary loan or accessed electronically. Neither does it acquire special interest publications in fields such as law, engineering, or medicine where such collections exist at other nearby institutions.
The collection also does not take the place of elementary, middle school, high school, or college libraries. It is the responsibility of the public schools to supply curriculum material. The Library works cooperatively with schools to supplement and enhance their collections.
Once an item has been accepted under the Collection Development Policy, it will not be removed at the request of those who disagree with its inclusion, unless it can be shown that retention of the item would be in violation of this Policy. The Reconsideration of Library Materials Policy and the Request for Reconsideration of Library Material Form may be obtained at the reference desk.
Weeding Policy
Updated: 2021
Rationales for De-selection
Shelving space is finite and in order to fulfill our mission and meet the diverse cultural,
educational, research, and personal enrichment needs of our community, the materials we
offer must be current, accurate, relevant, and in a useful format and condition. Subsequently,
materials that are no longer accurate, used, or useful must be withdrawn from the collection.
Local History and Special Interest Materials
The following criteria need not be applied to items with local historical value, which typically
possess appeal, significance, and scarcity. Local history materials may be retained indefinitely.
De-selection Guidelines for Material Formats and Conditions
Nonprint materials can lose utility and vitality as technology advances. Older formats, such as
filmstrips, slides, audiocassettes, videocassettes, computer software on magnetic media (floppy
disks), etc. should be culled from the collection as the devices needed to make use of them
obsolesce. The same holds true for sets and kits that include obsolete components.
Optical media (DVDs, Blu-ray discs, CDs, etc.) should be replaced or withdrawn if they are
chipped, cracked, warped, or have deep scratches that affect their play.
For print materials, the following six negative factors (MUSTIE) can compromise their
usefulness, making them prime candidates for de-selection:
M Misleading and/or factually inaccurate
U Ugly (worn and beyond mending/re-binding)
S Superseded (either by a new edition or a much better book on the subject)
T Trivial (of no discernible literary or scientific merit; of past ephemeral interest)
I am Irrelevant to the needs and interests of your community
E Elsewhere (easily available electronically or through Interlibrary Loan)
Donations Policy
Updated: 2022
Gifts of Materials
The Library gladly accepts donations with the understanding that they are subject to the same
criteria for inclusion in the collection as purchased materials. The Port Chester Rye Brook Public
Library reserves the right to accept or dispose of any gift through sales or for charitable
donations, or to discard them. The library will not provide a valuation of donated materials for
tax purposes.
Items that will not be accepted for donation include: issues of periodicals, items that are moldy
or foul-smelling, items that are visibly water damaged, and items in poor physical condition.
Monetary Gifts
The Library accepts monetary donations.
Donations may be accepted for the purpose of purchasing library materials consistent with the
Library’s Selection Policy
Memorials
The Library actively encourages donations as memorials and as tributes to living individuals on
special occasions. Such acts provide the Library with an opportunity to add materials or
equipment which it might not otherwise be able to afford. These donations also provide
individuals with a rich opportunity to honor loved ones with a lasting statement of admiration
and respect.
Memorials and tributes are accepted in the form of monetary donations. The Library will make
every effort to honor the donor’s wishes regarding the selection to be purchased. However, the
final decision rests with the Library in accordance with its needs and selection criteria.
Bookplates may be placed in items purchased with memorial and tribute gift funds. Each
bookplate will record the honoree as well as the donor.
Artwork
The Library will avoid the installation of permanent displays or artistic decorations in favor of
rotating displays and works of art that will serve to stimulate and renew interest. The following
points will be considered by the Library before accepting a gift of this kind:
Does it conform to the general architecture of the building?
Will it fit comfortably into the space available?
Is the object appropriate to Library objectives or would it be better elsewhere?
Will it cost more to accept the gift than it is worth to the community? Costs that must
be weighed may include insurance, restoration, display, maintenance, storage, etc.
No such gift will be accepted, unless it is freely given and with the agreement that the library may
dispose of the gift as it sees fit (including selling it, discarding it, or giving it away) and store the
gift or move it to various locations.
Miscellaneous Gifts
The decision as to the acceptance of furnishings, appliances, and equipment shall be made by
the Director. Criteria influencing the decision include need, space, impact on staff, and expense
and frequency of maintenance.
Reconsideration of Library Materials Policy
Updated: 2019
The choice of library materials by a library user is an individual matter. While
a person may reject materials for oneself, he or she may not restrict access to those materials by other library users.
The Library recognizes that certain materials are controversial and that any given
item may offend some library users. The procedures enumerated below have been
developed to assure that the requests of those who disagree with the inclusion of
specific items in the collection are handled in an attentive and consistent manner.
A library user who requests the reconsideration of library material will be referred
immediately to the Director or the librarian in charge. This staff member will discuss
the Collection Development Policy and the application of selection principles.
If a library user persists in requesting that an item be withdrawn from the collection,
the Library’s procedure for reconsideration will be carefully explained and followed.
A separate Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form must be filled out
for each item.
The procedure for the reconsideration of library materials consists of the following:
1. The library user must complete the Request for Reconsideration of Library
Materials Form and submit it to the Library Director. This request may not be
submitted anonymously. The form can be obtained at the information
department.
2. The Request for Reconsideration will be referred to a committee consisting of
the Director, Assistant Director, and librarian to determine whether retention
of the item would be in violation of the Collection Development Policy.
3. The committee will reconsider the item using the general criteria of the
Collection Development Policy and reviews from recognized sources, and then
make a written decision.
4. The Director will inform the Library Board of Trustees of the committee’s
decision.
5. The Director will respond in writing to the library user regarding the
committee’s decision. Committee members’ comments will not be attributed,
although brief quotes may be used in the Director’s response.
6. An appeal of this decision may be made to the Library Board of Trustees. Such
appeal shall not exceed two pages and should include copies of the original
Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form and the committee’s
written recommendation. The Library Board will reconsider the decision based
on whether or not the particular item conforms to the General Criteria
outlined in the Collection Development Policy. In addition, the Library Board
may, at its discretion, appoint an independent advisory panel to review the
submission and to make a recommendation to the Board. The Board of
Trustees shall then make the final determination of the matter, notifying the
library user in writing of this action, in a timely manner.
7. The completed decision on reconsideration of a specific title shall remain in
effect for three years.
During the review process, the Library will take appropriate action to insure that the
item will continue to be available.
Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials
Updated: 2019
Port Chester – Rye Brook Public Library, and the Board of Library Trustees, support the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights. We also value the community member’s right to express their concerns regarding materials that are a part of the library’s collection.
If there is an objection to an item being in the Library’s collection, there is an option to request that the item be re-evaluated. The requesting library patron must complete this form and
submit it to the library Information staff. Once the completed form has been submitted, the Library Director will appoint a review committee of library staff members with appropriate professional expertise. After a thorough review has been completed, the committee will make its recommendation to the Library Director. The Library Director will review the committee’s findings and contact the requesting party with the decision. If the requesting party is not satisfied and wishes to appeal the decision, the request will then be forwarded to the Board of Library Trustees. The Board of Library Trustees will have the final decision on any request for the
removal of materials from the Library.
Please respond to the following:
A. Description of the item concerned:
Check one: Book /Newspaper/ Video/DVD
Cassette/CD Other (Describe)
Author/Artist: ____________________________________________________________
Title: __________________________________________________________________
Publisher or Distributor: ____________________________________________________
B. Questions about the item:
1. What do you find objectionable and/or offensive about this item? Please give specific
examples, including listing pages or sections (attach additional sheets if
needed)._________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
2. Did you read/view/hear the entire work? Yes No
If not, what parts did you read/view/hear? ________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________
3. Have you read any published reviews of this item? Yes No
If yes, please give name and date of publication: ___________________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
4. What would you like the library to do about this item? _______________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
5. Do you have a recommendation for an alternative to this item? ________________
__________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
C. In order to respond to your request, we need the following information: (Please Print)
Your name: ____________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________
Telephones: Day _________________________ Evening _______________________
E-mail address: _________________________________________________________
Representing: Self Organization (Name) ______________________________
Other (Identify) __________________________________________
D. Signature of the person submitting the Reconsideration Form:
___________________________________ Date _______________________
Port Chester – Rye Brook Public Library appreciates your interest in the Library’s collection.
You will receive notification of the progress or decision of this request.
Signature of Library staff member receiving the Reconsideration Form:
___________________________________ Date _____________________
Collection Development Policy
Updated: 2019
The Port Chester – Rye Brook Public Library seeks to provide the community with information that satisfies educational, entertainment and recreational pursuits through the purchase and organization of books, periodicals, newspapers, audio and video recordings, and other forms of electronic media.
In support of these goals, the Library emphasizes the importance of materials that have contemporary significance or permanent value. Materials are chosen, within budgetary limits, to inform, inspire and entertain; to excite new interests, and to satisfy free inquiry.
The Library Board of Trustees delegates the authority and responsibility for the selection of library materials to the Library Director and, under supervision, to the professional librarian staff who are qualified by reason of education, training, and experience.
To build a collection of enduring merit, materials must be measured by objective guidelines. All acquisitions, whether purchased or donated, are subject to the standards listed below. An item need not meet all of the criteria for acceptance. Some materials may be judged primarily on artistic merit, while others are considered because of scholarship, historic value, or ability to satisfy the needs of the community.
GENERAL CRITERIA
Relevance, present and potential, to community needs. The Library makes a conscious effort to obtain materials pertaining to local matters – civic, cultural, artistic, educational, recreational, and historic.
Topicality, or the importance of material as a document or recording of the times. Relation to the existing collection and other materials on the subject. An effort is made to include significant works to illuminate the different and important sides of issues.
Reputation and significance of the author. No item will be excluded because of the race, religion, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, sexual identity, political or doctrinal beliefs or personal history of an author.
Insight into human and social conditions.
Attention given by critics, reviewers, and the public.
Suitability of the physical form of the material for library use.
Price as a reasonable value for anticipated use.
Accuracy of scientific or historical facts.
Popular demand.
The Library recognizes that certain materials are controversial and that any item may offend some library users. Selections are not made on the basis of any anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the merits of the works in relation to the goals of building and enhancing a collection that serves the diverse interests of the community.
Continual evaluation of library holdings is an essential part of collection development. To ensure a vital collection of continued value to the community, materials that are judged by the professional staff to have outlived their usefulness are withdrawn. Decisions for removal are based on diminished circulation, physical condition, usefulness, and accuracy.
Library materials are not marked or identified to imply or show approval or disapproval of the contents. All materials are kept on open shelves except those that are not replaceable.
The Library provides books and other materials suitable for children and young adults in collections that are clearly labeled. Materials are selected for their merits and not necessarily excluded because of coarse language or frankness. The Library does not deny or limit access to any item because of its content or style.
Selection of materials for the Library’s collections shall not be inhibited by the possibility that some material may inadvertently come into the possession of children. Responsibility for the reading, listening, and viewing of Library materials by children rests with their parents or legal guardians.
Since the Library benefits from the resources of many other libraries throughout the
Westchester Library System does not acquire highly specialized or technical materials which can be obtained through interlibrary loan or accessed electronically. Neither does it acquire special interest publications in fields such as law, engineering, or medicine where such collections exist at other nearby institutions.
The collection also does not take the place of elementary, middle school, high school, or college libraries. It is the responsibility of the public schools to supply curriculum material. The Library works cooperatively with schools to supplement and enhance their collections.
Once an item has been accepted under the Collection Development Policy, it will not be removed at the request of those who disagree with its inclusion, unless it can be shown that retention of the item would be in violation of this Policy. The Reconsideration of Library Materials Policy and the Request for Reconsideration of Library Material Form may be obtained at the reference desk.
Weeding Policy
Updated: 2021
Rationales for De-selection
Shelving space is finite and in order to fulfill our mission and meet the diverse cultural,
educational, research, and personal enrichment needs of our community, the materials we
offer must be current, accurate, relevant, and in a useful format and condition. Subsequently,
materials that are no longer accurate, used, or useful must be withdrawn from the collection.
Local History and Special Interest Materials
The following criteria need not be applied to items with local historical value, which typically
possess appeal, significance, and scarcity. Local history materials may be retained indefinitely.
De-selection Guidelines for Material Formats and Conditions
Nonprint materials can lose utility and vitality as technology advances. Older formats, such as
filmstrips, slides, audiocassettes, videocassettes, computer software on magnetic media (floppy
disks), etc. should be culled from the collection as the devices needed to make use of them
obsolesce. The same holds true for sets and kits that include obsolete components.
Optical media (DVDs, Blu-ray discs, CDs, etc.) should be replaced or withdrawn if they are
chipped, cracked, warped, or have deep scratches that affect their play.
For print materials, the following six negative factors (MUSTIE) can compromise their
usefulness, making them prime candidates for de-selection:
M Misleading and/or factually inaccurate
U Ugly (worn and beyond mending/re-binding)
S Superseded (either by a new edition or a much better book on the subject)
T Trivial (of no discernible literary or scientific merit; of past ephemeral interest)
I am Irrelevant to the needs and interests of your community
E Elsewhere (easily available electronically or through Interlibrary Loan)
Donations Policy
Updated: 2022
Gifts of Materials
The Library gladly accepts donations with the understanding that they are subject to the same
criteria for inclusion in the collection as purchased materials. The Port Chester Rye Brook Public
Library reserves the right to accept or dispose of any gift through sales or for charitable
donations, or to discard them. The library will not provide a valuation of donated materials for
tax purposes.
Items that will not be accepted for donation include: issues of periodicals, items that are moldy
or foul-smelling, items that are visibly water damaged, and items in poor physical condition.
Monetary Gifts
The Library accepts monetary donations.
Donations may be accepted for the purpose of purchasing library materials consistent with the
Library’s Selection Policy
Memorials
The Library actively encourages donations as memorials and as tributes to living individuals on
special occasions. Such acts provide the Library with an opportunity to add materials or
equipment which it might not otherwise be able to afford. These donations also provide
individuals with a rich opportunity to honor loved ones with a lasting statement of admiration
and respect.
Memorials and tributes are accepted in the form of monetary donations. The Library will make
every effort to honor the donor’s wishes regarding the selection to be purchased. However, the
final decision rests with the Library in accordance with its needs and selection criteria.
Bookplates may be placed in items purchased with memorial and tribute gift funds. Each
bookplate will record the honoree as well as the donor.
Artwork
The Library will avoid the installation of permanent displays or artistic decorations in favor of
rotating displays and works of art that will serve to stimulate and renew interest. The following
points will be considered by the Library before accepting a gift of this kind:
Does it conform to the general architecture of the building?
Will it fit comfortably into the space available?
Is the object appropriate to Library objectives or would it be better elsewhere?
Will it cost more to accept the gift than it is worth to the community? Costs that must
be weighed may include insurance, restoration, display, maintenance, storage, etc.
No such gift will be accepted, unless it is freely given and with the agreement that the library may
dispose of the gift as it sees fit (including selling it, discarding it, or giving it away) and store the
gift or move it to various locations.
Miscellaneous Gifts
The decision as to the acceptance of furnishings, appliances, and equipment shall be made by
the Director. Criteria influencing the decision include need, space, impact on staff, and expense
and frequency of maintenance.
Reconsideration of Library Materials Policy
Updated: 2019
The choice of library materials by a library user is an individual matter. While
a person may reject materials for oneself, he or she may not restrict access to those materials by other library users.
The Library recognizes that certain materials are controversial and that any given
item may offend some library users. The procedures enumerated below have been
developed to assure that the requests of those who disagree with the inclusion of
specific items in the collection are handled in an attentive and consistent manner.
A library user who requests the reconsideration of library material will be referred
immediately to the Director or the librarian in charge. This staff member will discuss
the Collection Development Policy and the application of selection principles.
If a library user persists in requesting that an item be withdrawn from the collection,
the Library’s procedure for reconsideration will be carefully explained and followed.
A separate Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form must be filled out
for each item.
The procedure for the reconsideration of library materials consists of the following:
1. The library user must complete the Request for Reconsideration of Library
Materials Form and submit it to the Library Director. This request may not be
submitted anonymously. The form can be obtained at the information
department.
2. The Request for Reconsideration will be referred to a committee consisting of
the Director, Assistant Director, and librarian to determine whether retention
of the item would be in violation of the Collection Development Policy.
3. The committee will reconsider the item using the general criteria of the
Collection Development Policy and reviews from recognized sources, and then
make a written decision.
4. The Director will inform the Library Board of Trustees of the committee’s
decision.
5. The Director will respond in writing to the library user regarding the
committee’s decision. Committee members’ comments will not be attributed,
although brief quotes may be used in the Director’s response.
6. An appeal of this decision may be made to the Library Board of Trustees. Such
appeal shall not exceed two pages and should include copies of the original
Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials Form and the committee’s
written recommendation. The Library Board will reconsider the decision based
on whether or not the particular item conforms to the General Criteria
outlined in the Collection Development Policy. In addition, the Library Board
may, at its discretion, appoint an independent advisory panel to review the
submission and to make a recommendation to the Board. The Board of
Trustees shall then make the final determination of the matter, notifying the
library user in writing of this action, in a timely manner.
7. The completed decision on reconsideration of a specific title shall remain in
effect for three years.
During the review process, the Library will take appropriate action to insure that the
item will continue to be available.