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Collection Development and Maintenance Policy

 

I. Purpose and Scope

 

The Oliver Wolcott Library’s Collection Development and Maintenance Policy serves as a guide for authorized personnel in the selection and withdrawal of library materials. It also serves to inform the public of the criteria upon which library materials are selected and withdrawn.

 

The Library strives to select, acquire, curate and provide free and easy access to materials that meet the varied needs and interests of the community. This policy provides guidance, within budgetary and space limitations, for the selection and evaluation of materials that anticipate and meet the needs of the community. It also addresses collection maintenance, and replacement and deaccession of materials.

 

The Library makes every effort to provide library materials for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all residents. Library materials should represent a wide range of varied and diverging viewpoints in the collection as a whole. The Library recognizes the importance of the public library as a place for voluntary inquiry, the dissemination of information and ideas, and promotion of free expression and free access to ideas by residents. 

 

The Library evaluates and makes accessible materials in accordance with the protections against discrimination set form in section 46a- 64 of the general statutes. The Library supports intellectual freedom and subscribes to the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, and The Freedom to Read and Freedom to View statements. 

 

This policy is in accordance with Public Act 25-168 Sec. 322, 323. The Library neither approves nor disapproves of the views expressed in materials included in the collection.

 

 

 

II. Responsibility for Materials Selection and Maintenance

 

The selection of books and other library materials is the responsibility of the Library Director and under his or her direction, librarians, in accordance with the selection guidelines herein described, who are professionally trained to curate and develop a collection that provides access to the widest array of library and educational materials.  Responsibility for the selection, maintenance, replacement, and weeding of materials rests with the designated professional librarians under the overall direction of the Library Director.

 

III. Selection Criteria

 

Library materials are diverse in topic, format, and other characteristics. Each type of item must be considered in terms of its own merit and the audience for whom it is intended. No single set of selection criteria can be applied in all cases.

 

The following criteria are used in selecting materials:

  • Favorable reviews from sources listed in Section IV and V
  • Reputation of author, publisher, musical artist, filmmaker, and/or audio creator
  • The degree of interest to library users and the community as a whole
  • Contribution of the item towards strengthening the existing collection
  • Popular demand
  • Timeliness or permanence
  • Value commensurate with cost and/or need
  • Local author and/or local interest
  • Reading, viewing or listening level in relation to audience target
  • Suitability of format for library use and content for intended audience 
  • Availability of age appropriate or grade level material for that subject area
  • Public’s ability to procure the item from alternative sources

 

 

IV. Sources of Selection

 

Reviews in library and publishing industry periodicals are primary sources for materials selection. Reputable bibliographies, booklists by recognized authorities, list of recent national or regional winners, and the advice of competent individuals and/or entities in specific subject areas also are used. Suggestions from OWL patrons are also accepted and considered.

 

V. Review Media

 

Review media include, but are not limited to, the following:

 

  • Booklist
  • Library Journal
  • School Library Journal
  • Publisher’s Weekly
  • The New York Times Book Review
  • The New York Times Bestseller List

 

VI. Digital Collections/Databases

  

The Library has an established presence as a 24/7 virtual branch at www.owlibrary.org. The website serves as a gateway to the Library’s digital collection. Wherever possible, the Library makes digital resources available in the Library and remotely. In choosing to purchase or license digital resources, the Library applies the same standards for selection as for print materials. However, the Library recognizes that it does not have the same control over digital resources as it has over its physical materials.

 

VII. Textbooks

Textbooks will generally not be considered for the collection unless they are the best or only available source of information in their subject area and serve the general public and adult learning community

 

 

VII. Self-Published books by local or Connecticut authors

Self-published books by local or Connecticut authors will be considered for the Library collection if they are donated, meet the Library's standards of quality, and are determined to be of suitable interest to the public.

 

 

VIII. Gifts/Donations

 

Gift materials are to be judged by the criteria herein outlined and accepted or rejected for the collection accordingly. This decision is the responsibility of the Library Director and under his or her direction, other members of the library staff.

 

 

IX: Controversial Materials

 

The Library recognizes that some materials may not be considered appropriate by all patrons. Selections will not be made based upon anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the merits of the work in relation to the building of the collection and to serving the interests of the overall library patron community.  Patrons are free to select or reject for themselves any item in the collection. Children are not limited to the children’s collection, although juvenile materials are kept together to facilitate use. Responsibility for a child’s reading, listening, or viewing must rest with the parent or guardian.

 

The Library maintains age-appropriate collections for children and teens. Materials may be reassigned among these sub-collections based on the age appropriateness of the content. Selection of adult material will not be inhibited by the possibility that books may inadvertently come into the possession of children. The removal, exclusion or censoring of any book on the sole basis that an individual finds such book offensive is prohibited.

 

Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of the contents. The decision by an author, publisher, or other content creator to withdraw their work from the market and stop selling or publishing it will not be considered sufficient reason alone for the Library to withdraw it from the collection.

 

 

X:  Intellectual Freedom and Censorship

 

The Library serves all members of the community and acknowledges that some users will object to some materials within the Library. Therefore, some materials selected for the collections may seem controversial and even distasteful to some Library users. It is the right of the individual not to read, view or hear materials that the individual considers objectionable.

 

 

XI. Replacement and Mending

           

The Library does not automatically replace or mend books or other materials because of loss, damage or wear. In each case, the need for replacement and/or mending is weighed with regard to several factors including but not limited to: circulation of that item, number of copies owned, extent of adequate coverage of the field, other similar materials in the collection, ability to mend the item, and demand.

 

XII. Guidelines for Evaluation and Deaccessioning

 

Library collections, not being static, require an active weeding and deaccessioning policy. The collection should be active, up-to-date and useful to its clientele. Candidates for deaccession include but are not limited to:

  • Outdated materials
  • Items no longer of interest or in demand
  • Duplicate copies
  • Worn or damaged items
  • Infrequency circulation
  • Lack of community interest
  • Availability of newer and more valid materials.

 

XIII. Access to Collection

 

Materials will be freely and easily accessible to the public.

 

XIV. Library Material Review and Reconsideration Policy and Reconsideration Forms

 

The Oliver Wolcott Library Board of Trustees recognizes the importance of hearing from the public regarding material selection. The Library seriously considers suggestions made by residents.

 

The completion of the Request for Reconsideration Form does not guarantee either accession to the collection or removal from the collection but does ensure the attention of the Library to user opinion, interests, and concerns.

 

The Library limits consideration of requests to reconsider materials, displays or programs to residents of the Town of Litchfield.  Please see our Library Material Review and Reconsideration Policy and Form for further information on this process.

 

Location

This policy may be found on the Oliver Wolcott Library’s website at www.owlibrary.org

Copies may also be obtained by visiting the Oliver Wolcott Library and requesting a copy. 

 

 

Submitted September 3, 2025
Approved October 30, 2025