Policy Statement

The library strives to provide an impartial environment in which individuals and their interests are brought together with the universe of ideas and information spanning the spectrum of knowledge and opinions. The library board affirms the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to View, and Freedom to Read policy statements in support of acquiring and managing its collections.

I. Introduction

Altamont Free Library provides free and open access to culture, ideas, and information for all members of our community. The library recognizes its responsibility to carefully select and maintain its print, non-print, and to contribute to a shared digital collection maintained by the Upper Hudson Library System in support of its mission to make its resources available to the Altamont community.

The purpose of this policy is to provide direction for the development, maintenance, and weeding of the library’s collections.

The library will acquire resources representing various contemporary and historical points of view which are of current interest and possible future significance, including resources which reflect current conditions, trends, and controversies.

Responsibility for monitoring a minor’s access to items and resources rests with the parent or

legal guardian. The selection of materials for the library collection by library staff is not restricted on the basis of the possibility that children will see or borrow it.

II. Responsibility for the Selection of Library Resources

The ultimate responsibility for selection of library materials rests with the Library Director who operates within the framework of the policies determined by the Altamont Free Library Board of Trustees. This responsibility may be shared with other members of the library staff: however, because the Director must answer to the library board and general public to actual selections made, the Director has the final authority to reject or select any item contrary to the recommendations of the staff.

Responsibility for the selection of materials in the UHLS shared digital collections is shared amongst all of the libraries in the Upper Hudson Library System. Third party vendors providing digital library materials may not conform to the collection development policies or criteria of the Altamont Free Library, the Upper Hudson Library System, or its affiliated libraries.

III. Criteria for Selection

The following criteria will be applied to Altamont Free Library-purchased and donated resources.

• Relevance to community needs
• Current popularity and/or permanence
• Suitability to the intended audience of subject, style, format, interest, and reading level
• Budget allocations
• Space considerations

The Library strives to acquire materials to meet demand from patrons in as timely, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly manner as possible. While cost of materials is a prime consideration for acquisition, preference will be given to acquiring materials from local, independent, and/or environmentally friendly vendors when prices are similar, even if they might be slightly higher.

The library’s decision to acquire material does not constitute endorsement of the material’s content.

IV. Gifts and Donations

The library accepts gifts of books and other materials with the understanding that they will be added to the collection when appropriate and needed and sufficient shelf space exists. If they cannot be used for any reason, the Director may dispose of them as they see fit. All possible care will be taken to dispose of library materials in an environmentally sustainable way.

V. Withdrawal of Materials

The process of removing items from the collection is an integral part of collection development. Materials are withdrawn from the collection in order to maintain its usefulness, currency, relevance and condition. Responsibility for collection maintenance and for the disposition of withdrawn resources rests with the Library Director or persons approved by the Library Director. Withdrawn items may be sold, offered to other libraries or non-profit organizations, recycled, or discarded. All possible care will be taken to dispose of library materials in an environmentally sustainable way.

VI. Reconsideration of Library Resources

Although materials are carefully selected, differences of opinion regarding suitable materials may arise. Patrons requesting that material be withdrawn from or restricted within the collection may submit their concerns by filling out the Materials Reconsideration Form, which may be found both on the Altamont Free Library website, and at the library’s circulation desk. Material Reconsideration Request forms must be submitted in person, and cannot be accepted by mail or email. Requests for reconsideration submitted anonymously will not be considered.

Upon receiving a completed Materials Reconsideration Form, the following process will be followed:

1. The Library Director will select two additional staff members to form a committee
2. Each of the three committee members will review the Materials Reconsideration Form
3. Each of the committee members will review the item in question in its entirety within a reasonable time frame, typically two weeks, except in cases where a full review of the item would require a substantial amount of time. The item will remain in circulation while the item is under reconsideration.
4. The committee will meet to discuss the item in the context of Altamont Free Library Collection Development Policy, appropriate American Library Association statements, professional reviews of the item, and other relevant documents, and will arrive at a decision as to how the request for reconsideration ought to be handled.
5. The Director will communicate the committee’s decision in writing to the person who initiated the reconsideration request.

Adopted December 21, 2020

Revised February 21, 2022