Materials Selection Policy
Adopted October 1, 2009
Mission Statement:
The Maple Park Public Library District will provide access to information services via a variety of
formats for use by the residents of the Village of Maple Park and its surrounding areas.
Library Bill of Rights:
In its efforts to fulfill the mission statement, the Maple Park Public Library Board of Trustees endorses,
in full, the “Library Bill of Rights” from Serving Our Public 4.0: Standards for Illinois Public
Libraries as outlined by the American Library Association and affirmed by the Illinois Library
Association and the Illinois State Library.
Selection of Materials:
In keeping with the library's mission statement, materials in varying formats will be selected carefully
and judiciously, taking into account:
1. Expressed or anticipated needs and wants of library patrons.
2. The library's existing collection
3. Reputation and talent of the author(s)
4. Reviews in established library journals nad other media
5. Award winning and/or classic titles
6. Popular demand
7. Interlibrary Loan availability
8. Materials budget
9. Publication date
It is the responsibility of the Library Director to oversee material selection.
Weeding and Replacement:
Materials will be weeded based upon the criteria set forth in the Serving Our Public 2.0: Standards
for Illinois Public Libraries.
Materials qualify for removal if they are:
1. Worn through use
2. Outdated
3. Inaccurate
4. No longer being read by Maple Park Public Library patrons (e.g. three years since last
checked out)
5. Multiple copies of titles no longer in high demand
6. Available through Interlibrary Loan (in most cases)
Gift Materials:
The Maple Park Public Library accepts gifts of materials with the understanding that they will be added
to the collection when and if they meet the fulfillment of the library's mission statement, and only when
they meet the standards of normal selection.
Gifts and donations become the property of the library, and the Director will make the decisions
regarding placement. Materials not added to the library's collection may be placed in the used books
sale, used as prizes, or forwarded to other public libraries as needed.
Donated materials should be in new or gently used condition. Items that are dirty, mildewed, written
in, or have a strong odor will be discarded. The library does not accept old textbooks, encyclopedias,
or magazines.
Protection of Public Interest:
Since the Maple Park Public Library is a tax supported institution, any citizen has the right to question
the inclusion of any item on the library's shelves. However, until such an examination has been made,
and a decision reached by the Library Board of Trustees, no such removal or restriction shall take
place.
Since all political, religious , and social opinions should be represented in a public library, no group or
individual will be permitted to impose a partisan emphasis upon the library's collection. Frankness of
language or a wide-spread and contemporary phenomenon, will never, in itself, be considered
sufficient justification to remove or restrict library materials in any format.
Procedure for Challenge:
Anyone has the right to question the inclusion or exclusion of any title in the library's collection. The
individual should request a “Patron's Request for Reconsideration of Work” form, fill out such form,
and return to the Library Director. (form is attached at bottom of page)
The Director will bring the matter to the Board of Trustees and a committee will review the challenge.
Consisting of two appointed library trustees and the library's director, the committee will meet in
keeping with the Illinois Open Meetings Act, which will be open to the public. The committee's
recommendation will be brought before the full Board of Trustees, and a decision will be made in
keeping with the American Library Association's “Freedom to Read Statement” and Maple Park Public
Library's selection policy.
Employee Discipline:
Pursuant to Illinois law, no employee may be disciplined or dismissed for the selection of library
materials when the selection is made in good faith and in accordance with this policy AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION FREEDOM TO READ STATEMENT
The Maple Park Public Library subscribes to the American Library Association Freedom to
Read Statement which follows:
American Library Association Freedom to Read Statement
1. It is in the public interest for publishers and librarians to make available the widest diversity
of views and expressions, including those which are unorthodox or unpopular with the
majority.
2. Publishers, librarians, and booksellers do not need to endorse every idea or presentation
contained in the books they make available. It would conflict with the public interest for
them to establish their own political, moral, or aesthetic views as a standard for determining
what books should be published or circulated.
3. It is contrary to the public interest for publishers or librarians to determine the acceptability
of a book on the basis of the personal history or political affiliations of the author.
4. There is no place in our society for efforts to coerce the taste of others, to confine adults to
the reading matter deemed suitable for adolescents, or to inhibit the efforts of writers to
achieve artistic expression.
5. It is not in the public interest to force a reader to accept with any book the prejudgment of a
label characterizing the book or the author as subversive or dangerous.
6. It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians, as guardians of the people’s freedom to
read, to contest encroachments upon that freedom by individuals or groups seeking to
impose their own standards or tastes upon the community at large.
7. It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians to give full meaning to the freedom to
read by providing books that enrich the quality and diversity of thought and expression. By
the exercise of this affirmative responsibility, they can demonstrate that the answer to a bad
book is a good one, the answer to a bad idea is a good one.
AMERICAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS
The Maple Park Public Library subscribes to the American Library Association Bill of Rights
which says:
American Library Association Library Bill of Rights
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and
that the following basic policies should guide their services:
1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and
enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be
excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current
and historical isles. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or
doctrinal disapproval.
3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide
information and enlightenment.
4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment
of free expression and free access to ideas.
5. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age,
background, or views.
6. Libraries which make exhibit space and meeting rooms available to the public they serve
should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or
affirmations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
