The purpose of Clark County Library strives to provide all individuals in the community with carefully selected books and other materials to aid the individual in the pursuit of education, information, research, pleasure, and the creative use of leisure time.
Materials will be judged on the basis of the work as a whole, not on a part taken out of context.
The collection development policy is used by the library staff in the selection of materials and also serves to acquaint the general public with the principles of selection.
The Library Bill of Rights and The Freedom to Read Statement have been endorsed by Clark County Library Board and are integral parts of the policy.
1. Responsibility for Selection The ultimate responsibility for selection of library materials rests with the Library Director, who operates within the framework of the policies determined by Clark County Library Board of Trustees. This responsibility may be shared with other members of the library staff; however, because the Director must be available to answer to the Library Board and the general public for actual selections made, the Director has the authority to reject or select any item contrary to the recommendations of the staff. 2. Criteria for Selection
Individual merit of each item (awards, reviews, peer reviews, etc)
Popular appeal/demand
Clarity
Quality of content
Needs of the existing collection
Price
Physical condition
Timeliness
Availability
Accuracy
Relevance
3. Self Published Materials The library will not acquire self-published or produced materials unless the work has met all criteria for selection. However, in an effort to support the local creative community, the library will accept donations of self-published and self produced works. These works must be published or produced by a resident of Clark County. 4. Gifts The library accepts gifts of books and other materials with the understanding that they will be added to the collection only if appropriate and needed. The same criteria of selection which are applied to the purchase of materials are applied to gifts. Gifts that are not selected will be disposed of per the library’s Weeding Policy.
5. Potential Problems or Challenges The Clark County Library recognizes that some materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Selection of materials will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the basis of the principles stated in this policy. The governance of a minor’s access to the library’s materials is the sole responsibility of the minor’s legal guardian. Selection of library materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may come into the possession of children and neither the library as an institution or library staff will restrict access to library materials. Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their contents, and no library material will be sequestered except to protect it from damage or theft.
