The Purpose of this policy on materials selection is to guide in the selection of materials and to inform the public about the principles upon which selections are made.

Legal Basis:

The materials selection policy, as all library policies, shall be interpreted in such a manner as to insure that the Public Library of Anniston and Calhoun County shall always be in full compliance with the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of the State of Alabama, and all statutes and judicial decisions affecting the provision of public library service within Calhoun County, Alabama.

The aim of the PLACC is service to all residents of the service area. This encompasses individuals and groups of every age, education, philosophy, occupation, economic level, ethnic origin and human condition. Fulfilling the library-related educational, informational and recreational needs of these people is the broad goal of the PLACC. All print and non-print materials are selected by the library in accordance with these basic objectives.

Responsibility for Materials Selection:

The Library Board adopts as part of its policy the following paragraphs from the Library Bill of Rights:

1.         As a responsibility of library service, books and other library materials should be chosen for values of interest, information and enlightenment of all people of the community. In no case should library materials be excluded because of the race, nationality, social, political or religious views of the authors.

2.         Libraries should provide books and other materials presenting all points of view concerning the problems and issues of our times; no library should be proscribed or removed from libraries because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

Final responsibility for selection of books and library materials is vested in the Library Board, but delegated under this policy to the Director. However, the Director may then delegate, to such members of the staff as are qualified by reason of training and experience, the authority to interpret and guide the application of the policy in making day to day selections. Unusual problems will be referred to the Director for resolution.

Board Approved  3/25/2008