PURCHASING
The purpose of the TDL Material Selection Policy is to guide the Director and to inform the public about principles upon which selections are made. The primary objective of material selection shall be to collect materials of contemporary significance and of permanent value.
In accordance to the Library Bill of Rights and the First Amendment books and other library resources shall be provided for the interest, information and enlightenment of all people of the community TDL serves. Materials shall not be excluded because of the origin, background or views of those contributing to their creation. TDL shall provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials shall not be prohibited or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
TDL shall challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
Final responsibility for material selection lies with the Director. However, the Director may delegate to staff members authority to interpret and apply the policy in making day-to-day selections. Unusual problems shall be referred to the Director for resolution.
TDL recognizes that some materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Selections shall not be made on the basis of any anticipated approval or disapproval but solely on the merits of the work in relation to the building of the collections and to serving the interests of the readers.
No catalogued book or other material shall be sequestered, except for the express purpose of protecting it from injury or theft. The use of rare and scholarly materials of great value may be controlled only to the extent required to preserve them from harm.
Responsibility for the materials selected by a minor rests with their parent(s) or legal guardian(s).
WEEDING
The CREW (Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding) method of weeding shall be used to deselect materials. Discarding or weeding of materials is the best and most economical utilization of space in TDL. All materials that are added to TDL’s collection are expected to be useful for the people in the community and shall be withdrawn if they cease to serve that purpose.
GUIDELINES
- To remove physically worn out or damaged materials from TDL.
- To eliminate materials containing obsolete information.
- To remove duplicate materials which have waned in popularity.
- To withdraw materials which have not been checked out for several years.
SPECIAL USE COLLECTIONS
Special use collections shall be selected based on budget and community need by the Director. These materials are evaluated based on their benefit to the community, patron demand, and use of library resources, with the goal of increasing access to technology or high-cost items that patrons would not otherwise have.