IX. Collection Management
The library will acquire materials for general information and entertainment needs that will benefit the patrons of the White Pigeon Township Library (WPTL). The object of the Collection Management Policy is to summarize the guidelines used to select, maintain, support, and de-select items in the library collection.
When making selection decisions, the librarians will rely upon a number of tools. Librarians may use reviews of materials published in professional journals as well as general interest periodicals, bibliographic listings, catalogs, and publication announcements. Selection of a work does not necessarily imply the library’s approval of the actions or ideas contained in that work. Materials are evaluated as a whole, and not on the basis of a particular passage or passages. A work will not be automatically excluded from the library’s collection because of frankness of expression or differing beliefs. In general, the WPTL aspires to build a broad collection based on community needs and wants, as well as a collection that is unique and culturally significant to its community residents.
In addition to the general criteria, the library will include in its collection, materials based on:
Materials which are requested infrequently may be supplied through Interlibrary Loan. The anticipated long-term use for an item and the number of similar items already owned by the library are also factors. No materials shall be excluded because of the race, nationality, religion, political or social view of the author.
The Library recognizes that many materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Selections will be made solely on the merits of the work in relation to the building of the library collection and serving the interests of readers and not on the basis of any anticipated approval or disapproval by individuals or groups.
Although the staff exercises professional judgment in the selection of all materials, the responsibility for a child’s use of library materials rests with their parents and/or legal guardians.
This gift acceptance policy shall govern the acceptance of gifts and provide guidelines to representatives of the library of who may be involved in the acceptance of gifts, to outside advisors who may assist in the gift planning process, and to prospective donors who may wish to make gifts to the White Pigeon Township Library. This policy is intended only as a guide and allows for some flexibility on a case-by-case basis upon approval of the Library Board.
The Library Director is charged with reviewing and discussing with donors potential gifts and policies on gift acceptance. The Library Board shall act on the recommendations of the Director.
The Library shall accept unrestricted gifts, and gifts for specific programs and purposes, provided that such gifts are consistent with its stated mission, purpose and priorities. The Library will not accept gifts that are too restrictive in purpose.
4. Gift Recognition
In general, a gift to the library is tax deductible. However, we recommend consulting with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or a tax expert for detailed information on appraisals and donated materials for acceptability as a charitable tax deduction. Please note that IRS laws prohibit the Library and its employees from assessing the monetary value of any non-cash donations. Acknowledgement letters are sent in response to most donations and are prepared by the Library Director. However, donors may request a more specific written acknowledgment of any donation.
5. Donor Anonymity
Donors may choose to remain anonymous when bestowing gifts to the library. This wish will be reflected on published lists and other forms of donor recognition.
The Library Board respects the preference of anonymous donors. However, the identity of all donors must be known by the Director and Board President. The identity of a donor may also need to be revealed for other legal purposes.
The library will make all attempts possible to repair damaged library materials. Items that are damaged beyond in-house repair attempts may be considered for replacement if they meet current collection management criteria as outlined in this policy.
Items that are damaged beyond repair will be recycled whenever possible.
The library staff will generally de-select library materials under the following circumstances.
· obsolete formats
· space considerations
· unnecessary duplication
· poorly or under-circulated materials
These criteria are by no means a comprehensive list. The Director with the authority of the Library Board will make the final judgment of materials to be withdrawn. De-selected materials will become part of the used book sale or recycled where appropriate.
H. Request of Re-evaluation of Library Materials
White Pigeon Township Library
Request of Re-evaluation of Library Materials
The White Pigeon Township Library has established a materials selection policy and a procedure for gathering input and concerns about particular items. Completion of this form is the first step in that procedure. If you wish to request reconsideration of an item in the library collection, please return the completed form to the Library Director or Assistant Director. The Director will respond to the request in writing. Patrons who are not satisfied with the response may request that the Board review their request. The decision of the Board is final.
White Pigeon Township Library
102 N. Kalamazoo St., P.O. Box 399
White Pigeon, MI 49099
Patron Information:
Name __________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________
City ____________________________ State/Zip _______________________
Phone __________________________ Email __________________________
Do you represent self? ____ Or an organization? ____ Name of Organization ___________________________
1. Resource on which you are commenting:
___ Book ___ Movie ___ Magazine ___ Digital Resource ___ Newspaper ___ Other
Title ________________________________________________________________________
Author/Producer _______________________________________________________________
2. What brought this resource to your attention?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Have you examined/read the entire resource? If not, what sections did you review?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
4. What concerns you about the resource? Please site specific examples and their location in the book (if applicable).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Are there resource(s) you suggest to provide additional information and/or other viewpoints on this topic?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
6. What action are you requesting the committee consider?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Patron signature ________________________________________________ Date _________________
Updated 3/30/2022
The library will acquire materials for general information and entertainment needs that will benefit the patrons of the White Pigeon Township Library (WPTL). The object of the Collection Management Policy is to summarize the guidelines used to select, maintain, support, and de-select items in the library collection.
- Selection Responsibility
- General Selection Criteria
When making selection decisions, the librarians will rely upon a number of tools. Librarians may use reviews of materials published in professional journals as well as general interest periodicals, bibliographic listings, catalogs, and publication announcements. Selection of a work does not necessarily imply the library’s approval of the actions or ideas contained in that work. Materials are evaluated as a whole, and not on the basis of a particular passage or passages. A work will not be automatically excluded from the library’s collection because of frankness of expression or differing beliefs. In general, the WPTL aspires to build a broad collection based on community needs and wants, as well as a collection that is unique and culturally significant to its community residents.
In addition to the general criteria, the library will include in its collection, materials based on:
- current and anticipated patron demand
- popularity of the author and/or publisher
- attention given by critics, reviewers, professional book selection aids and the public
- inclusion in lists such as the New York Times Bestseller List, the Pulitzer and Booker prize winners, the National Book Award winners, and other book lists generated by recognized authorities
- cultural or historical significance
- accurate and authoritative information
- relationship to existing materials in the collection on the same subject (ex. to complete a popular series, or to fill information gaps in the collection)
- cost as related to estimated patron use
- local, state or regional significance
- durability and stability of binding or packaging
Materials which are requested infrequently may be supplied through Interlibrary Loan. The anticipated long-term use for an item and the number of similar items already owned by the library are also factors. No materials shall be excluded because of the race, nationality, religion, political or social view of the author.
- Intellectual Freedom
The Library recognizes that many materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. Selections will be made solely on the merits of the work in relation to the building of the library collection and serving the interests of readers and not on the basis of any anticipated approval or disapproval by individuals or groups.
- Challenges to Materials in the Collection
Although the staff exercises professional judgment in the selection of all materials, the responsibility for a child’s use of library materials rests with their parents and/or legal guardians.
- Gift Acceptance Policy
- Purpose and Procedure
This gift acceptance policy shall govern the acceptance of gifts and provide guidelines to representatives of the library of who may be involved in the acceptance of gifts, to outside advisors who may assist in the gift planning process, and to prospective donors who may wish to make gifts to the White Pigeon Township Library. This policy is intended only as a guide and allows for some flexibility on a case-by-case basis upon approval of the Library Board.
The Library Director is charged with reviewing and discussing with donors potential gifts and policies on gift acceptance. The Library Board shall act on the recommendations of the Director.
The Library shall accept unrestricted gifts, and gifts for specific programs and purposes, provided that such gifts are consistent with its stated mission, purpose and priorities. The Library will not accept gifts that are too restrictive in purpose.
- Conflict of Interest
- Types of Gifts
- Cash: Cash is acceptable in any form. Checks shall be payable to the White Pigeon Township Library.
- Tangible Personal Property: All gifts of tangible personal property shall have no undue restrictions on the use, display or sale thereof.
- Gift-In-Kind: The Library welcomes gifts of goods and services that are consistent with the mission of the library; its day to day operation, or improvement of the library’s amenities.
- Endowment Gift: Gifts are accepted by the Sturgis Area Community Foundation for the White Pigeon Township Endowment Fund.
- Non-Endowed Gift: Gifts are accepted by the Sturgis Area Community Foundation for the non-endowed fund designated as the White Pigeon Township Library Outreach Fund.
- Publicly Traded Securities. Publicly traded securities may be accepted. Unless otherwise directed by Board of Directors, all securities will be liquidated for cash as soon as practicable.
4. Gift Recognition
In general, a gift to the library is tax deductible. However, we recommend consulting with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or a tax expert for detailed information on appraisals and donated materials for acceptability as a charitable tax deduction. Please note that IRS laws prohibit the Library and its employees from assessing the monetary value of any non-cash donations. Acknowledgement letters are sent in response to most donations and are prepared by the Library Director. However, donors may request a more specific written acknowledgment of any donation.
5. Donor Anonymity
Donors may choose to remain anonymous when bestowing gifts to the library. This wish will be reflected on published lists and other forms of donor recognition.
The Library Board respects the preference of anonymous donors. However, the identity of all donors must be known by the Director and Board President. The identity of a donor may also need to be revealed for other legal purposes.
- Preservation and Conservation
The library will make all attempts possible to repair damaged library materials. Items that are damaged beyond in-house repair attempts may be considered for replacement if they meet current collection management criteria as outlined in this policy.
Items that are damaged beyond repair will be recycled whenever possible.
- De-selection (Weeding)
The library staff will generally de-select library materials under the following circumstances.
- current demand
- materials in poor condition
· obsolete formats
· space considerations
· unnecessary duplication
· poorly or under-circulated materials
These criteria are by no means a comprehensive list. The Director with the authority of the Library Board will make the final judgment of materials to be withdrawn. De-selected materials will become part of the used book sale or recycled where appropriate.
H. Request of Re-evaluation of Library Materials
White Pigeon Township Library
Request of Re-evaluation of Library Materials
The White Pigeon Township Library has established a materials selection policy and a procedure for gathering input and concerns about particular items. Completion of this form is the first step in that procedure. If you wish to request reconsideration of an item in the library collection, please return the completed form to the Library Director or Assistant Director. The Director will respond to the request in writing. Patrons who are not satisfied with the response may request that the Board review their request. The decision of the Board is final.
White Pigeon Township Library
102 N. Kalamazoo St., P.O. Box 399
White Pigeon, MI 49099
Patron Information:
Name __________________________________________________________
Address ________________________________________________________
City ____________________________ State/Zip _______________________
Phone __________________________ Email __________________________
Do you represent self? ____ Or an organization? ____ Name of Organization ___________________________
1. Resource on which you are commenting:
___ Book ___ Movie ___ Magazine ___ Digital Resource ___ Newspaper ___ Other
Title ________________________________________________________________________
Author/Producer _______________________________________________________________
2. What brought this resource to your attention?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Have you examined/read the entire resource? If not, what sections did you review?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
4. What concerns you about the resource? Please site specific examples and their location in the book (if applicable).
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. Are there resource(s) you suggest to provide additional information and/or other viewpoints on this topic?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
6. What action are you requesting the committee consider?
____________________________________________________________________________________________
Patron signature ________________________________________________ Date _________________
Updated 3/30/2022