The Collection Development Policy of the Clearview Library District is intended to guide staff and inform the public of the principles on which the district bases its collection development decisions.

Intellectual Freedom

The Clearview Library District's collection is intended to serve the community's diverse needs and interests and, therefore, contains a variety of materials representing a broad range of subjects and viewpoints. This is in keeping with the library’s mission to Cultivate Curiosity, Enlighten the Mind, and Strengthen the Community.

  • Not all items or resources within the collection may appeal to the entire community and therefore, public opinion cannot be the sole guide for the selection. 
  • The inclusion of an item or resource within the collection is not to be considered an endorsement, official or otherwise, by the library, of a particular viewpoint, group, or individual.
  • Responsibility for monitoring the access of materials and resources by minors rests solely with their parents or respective legal guardians. The library will not act in loco parentis to permit or restrict access.
  • The library subscribes to the Library Bill of Rights, Freedom to Read Statement, and the Access to Library Resources and Services for Minors Statement. These documents have been approved by the American Library Association.

Scope of Collection

The Clearview Library District’s material collections are curated to contain new and popular materials while also covering a balanced variety of subjects. Most of the district’s print and media collections circulate as part of a “floating” collection distributed across its various branch locations. When an item from a “floating collection” is returned to one branch, it is shelved at that branch regardless of its prior location. Due to space constraints, certain physical collections, such as audiobook CDs, music CDs, video games, and explore kits, do not have “floating” status but can still be requested for pickup at any of our public branches.

Scope of Online Collection

Our online collections reflect the diverse viewpoints and needs of our communities. Formats include: databases, eBooks, e-Audiobooks, eMagazines, digital music, digital movies, and e-passes to local educational and entertainment institutions. 

Labeling

The library upholds the principle of free and open use for all. Materials are labeled to facilitate organization and retrieval and not to restrict access or to show approval or disapproval of the contents.

Cooperative Networks

The district participates in cooperative interlibrary loan networks such as Prospector to expand the range of materials available to district users while minimizing purchases of lesser-used materials owned by other libraries.

Materials Selection

Authority for selection of materials is delegated by the Library Board of Trustees to the Library Director. The Director delegates to staff the authority to interpret and apply the Collection Development Policy when selecting material for the collection.

The following are general criteria for evaluating items and resources for the collection. An item or resource need not meet all of the criteria to be added:

  • Popular interest
  • Local demand (including patron requests)
  • Accuracy and currency of content
  • Critical reviews
  • Literary and/or artistic merit
  • Local significance of the author, creator, or subject
  • Date of publication
  • Price
  • Availability
  • Suitability of format
  • Physical space required for display and storage
  • Suggestions for purchase from library patrons are encouraged and are given serious consideration.
  • Digital Resources

Providing access to digital materials and online resources is now integral to the library’s service mission. The acquisition of digital and online resources, however, can pose unique challenges in terms of licensing access, content controls, and security protections. Decisions for purchase will be based on the same criteria guidelines as those used for physical items, with the added step of working jointly with the IT & Technical Services Department, whenever applicable, to help ensure that integration runs smoothly and the proper data security protocols are in place.

Self-Published Materials

The library purchases books from commercial vendors that fit the library’s materials selection criteria. Author solicitations for the purchase of self-published books are discouraged.

Self-published authors may submit a donated copy of their book for inclusion into our collections. The book must be in good, readable condition. All works are subject to review prior to acceptance, and the library will hold the author’s work to the same standards as those used for collection development.

Donations

When spatial constraints allow, the district may accept gifts of both book and non-book materials. Donated materials are subject to the district’s selection criteria. The library reserves the right to repurpose or dispose of any donations not incorporated into the collection.

Weeding

Weeding, or removal of material from the collection, is an integral and ongoing aspect of collection management. Discarding is necessary to maintain a vital, useful, relevant, well-kept collection.

The following general criteria are used for weeding:

  • Poor physical condition
  • Outdated or inaccurate material
  • Material superseded by newer or revised editions
  • Duplicate material
  • Low circulation (lack of demand)
  • Discarded items will be packaged for resale by a contracted vendor, donated, or displayed in the district’s in-house library book sale.

Adopted August 27, 2015. Revised and adopted May 28, 2020. Revised June 27, 2024.