Article I - Introduction
The Ottawa Library is organized under the laws of Kansas and is authorized under K.S.A. 12-1218 to 12-1230 to acquire by purchase of books, magazines, papers, printed materials, films, music, and other material and equipment deemed necessary by the board for the maintenance and extension of modern library services.
Mission Statement
Ottawa Library is a community library that links everyone to free educational, informational, and entertainment resources through responsive quality service to support lifelong learning.
Article II - Library Collection Objectives
The Ottawa Library selects, makes available, and promotes the use of library materials, in various formats, which:
Reflect the mission and roles of the library.
Meet the informational needs of the community.
Meet the recreational needs of the community.
Supplement formal and information study.
Reflect a variety of opinions on a subject.
Support economic, cultural, recreational, and civic activities in the community.
Stimulate understanding and growth.
Enhance job-related knowledge and skills.
Increase knowledge of the participation in the affairs of the community, state, nation, and world.
Article III - Responsibility for Selection and Management
The responsibility for the collection development policy lies with the Board of Trustees of the Ottawa Library. The Board delegates to the Library Executive Director, and other staff members designated by the Executive Director, the responsibility of selection of materials and development of the collection.
Article IV - General Selection Criteria
The following general criteria are used in selecting materials for purchase by the Ottawa Library:
Examination of existing materials in the collection on the same subject
Reputation of the author, illustrator, publisher, or producer
Suitability of subject, style, and reading level for intended audience
Current appeal and popular demand
Present and potential relevance to the community needs
Availability or scarcity of materials on the subject
Value of material in relationship to durability and price
Compliance with stated collection goals
Date of Publication
Article V - General Limitations, Priorities, & Acquisitions
Materials Not Purchased
The following materials will not be purchased: textbooks, workbooks, outlines, or synopses.
Patron Recommendations
Patrons may request items the library does not own. Each request is reviewed for inclusion in the collection based on the General Selection Criteria.
Replacements and Duplicates
Guidelines for replacements or purchases of duplicate copies may include the following:
The number of copies available locally and in the consortium. If a copy is lost or missing, the library may decide to not replace it if it owns another copy, it is no longer available for purchase or it is not feasible.
The coverage the library has on the subject. If a large collection exists in a particular subject area, a particular title may not need to be replaced.
The amount of similar material available.
Materials for Children and Teenagers
Materials for children and teenagers are intended to broaden their vision, support recreational reading, encourage and facilitate reading skills, supplement their educational needs, stimulate and widen their interests, lead to recognition and appreciation of literature and reflect the diversity of the community and our world. The reading and viewing activity is ultimately the responsibility of parents, who guide and oversee their own children’s development. The Ottawa Library does not intrude on that relationship.
Article VI - Gifts
Gifts or donations of books or other materials are accepted on behalf of the Friends of the Ottawa Library for resale.
If requested, the library will supply a letter listing the number of items donated. The library may not provide (prohibited by law) an appraisal of the item for the items for the donor (for tax purposes).
Gifts of items other than materials or money, not covered by written policies shall be considered by the Library Executive Director and the library board.
The library reserves the privilege of using cash donations in a manner that will best serve the operation of the library and its service to patrons. If cash donations are made with requests for specific materials to be purchased, the Materials Selection and Collection Development Policy shall apply.
Gifts made to the library become the sole property of the Ottawa Library and remain so until they are either added to the collection or until a decision is made as to the appropriate disposition of such items.
Article VII - Interlibrary Loan Cooperation and Networks
The Ottawa Library will cooperate with NEXT (a regional system of cooperating libraries) and the Kansas State Library to provide interlibrary loan as an essential service to users.
It is more economical to borrow an infrequently used book than it is to buy it. Interlibrary loan, while not designed to substitute for providing books and other materials in constant demand, is used by the Ottawa Library to provide essential materials for unusual situations and to make available those materials which cannot be added to the collection because of space, budget, and general demand.
Article VIII - Maintenance of the Collection
Weeding Policy The Ottawa Library recognizes the need to continuously evaluate its collection in response to the changing nature and needs of the community through weeding and replacement of its titles. Weeding is a task that we approach with skill, care, time, and knowledge of the materials to be discarded. Weeding is a necessary adjunct of selection since it systematically eliminates unnecessary items; outdated or superseded materials; titles infrequently used, no longer of interest nor in demand; unnecessary duplicates, and worn or mutilated copies.
Most, if not all, items weeded from the collection of Ottawa Library are given to the Friends of the Ottawa Library for resale.
Article IX - Intellectual Freedom and Challenged Materials
The Ottawa Library adheres to and wholly supports the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read and Freedom to View statements, both of which are considered part of the collection development policy.
Process for Reconsideration of Library Materials
All challenges of materials are handled by the Executive Director. An appointment may be set up for the complainant to meet with the Executive Director and another staff member in person. Only challenges of materials by Ottawa Library card holders and by complainants who live in the taxing authority will be considered.
The Executive Director will discuss selection policy to the complainant and the library’s commitment to the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom Statements.
If the complainant wants to continue the procedure for reconsideration of materials after talking with the Executive Director, he/she should fill out a “Reconsideration of Library Materials” form. The form must be filled out completely with complainant identified.
The Executive Director and/or their assigned staff will evaluate and read/view the material challenged in its entirety. The Executive Director will within 45-60 days, unless warranted by volume of request, respond to the complainant’s reconsideration request and notify the complainant of that time frame.
The material under reconsideration will remain in the collection during the course of the review and any appeal.
If the complainant is not satisfied with the Executive Director’s decision, she/he may appeal to the Ottawa Library Board of Trustees within three weeks of the Executive Director’s decision.
Upon receipt of an appeal, the material in question and supporting information will be forwarded to the Board. The only issue to be considered by the Board is whether the Materials Selection and Collection Development Policy has been followed with respect to the item. The Board’s decision will be final.
Article X - Confidentiality of Library Records
Because the library must maintain trust with members of the public, the Board of Trustees of the Ottawa Library shall make every reasonable and responsible effort to see that information about the patron and individual information choices remain confidential. The Board of Trustees of the Ottawa Library has adopted the following guidelines:
All outside inquiries regarding access to patron registration and charge records will be referred to the Library Executive Director and no records may be made public without express approval. Patron registration and circulation records are exempt from the Open Records Law (K.S.A. 45-221 (23)) and should only be released upon receipt of a valid court order or subpoena authorized under federal, state, or local law.
Appendix 1: Library Bill of Rights
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill
Appendix 2: The Freedom to Read Statement
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomreadstatement
Appendix 3: The Freedom to View Statement
https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomviewstatement