Collection Development Policy
Indianapolis, Indiana
The collection development policy of the Indiana State Library specify what types of materials will be acquired to fulfill the objectives and goals of the State Library as stated in the laws of Indiana and the State Library's mission statement. The purpose of this policy is:
(1) To serve as a planning and working tool for State Library staff in the selection of materials;
(2) To inform the public about the principles upon which selections are made and gifts are accepted.
The State Library is responsible for executing the policy of the state of Indiana (IC 4-23-7.1-2):
(1) to develop and provide library service to state government, its branches, its departments and its officials and employees;
(2) to provide for the individual citizens of the state those specialized library services not generally appropriate, economical, or available in other libraries of the state;
(3) to encourage and support the development of the library profession; and
(4) to strengthen services of all types of publicly and privately supported special, school, academic, and public libraries.
The State Library shall maintain, develop, and service a collection of books, periodicals, newspapers, maps, manuscripts, audiovisual materials, and other library materials for the purpose of (IC 4-23-7.1-3):
(1) meeting the informational, educational, and research needs of state government;
(2) preserving and making available for use, materials bearing on the history of the state;
(3) meeting the specialized library needs and interests of citizens of Indiana; and
4) supplementing the reference and materials resources of the libraries of the state
The Indiana State Library's mission statement is derived from the Statute (IC 4-23-7.1) and is shaped by the Indiana Long Range Plan For Library Services and Development: 1991-1996, and its updates. That plan, developed by the Indiana State Library Advisory Council with input from libraries throughout the state is updated annually and provides the blueprint and priorities for library services. The Statute defines the State Library's mission:
(1) to develop and provide library service to state government, its departments, and its officials and employees.
A. Participate in the State Data Center Program as required by guberatorial designation. B. Collect,preserve and distribute state documents to depositories.
(2) to provide for the individual citizens of the state those specialized library services not generally appropriate, economical, or available in other libraries of the state;
A. Provide materials pertaining to the history of the state.
B. Provide library services for blind and physically disabled.
C. Provide genealogy and family history library service.
D. Collect and make available federal documents.
(3) to encourage and support the development of the library profession;
A. Provide library science material to professionals and other interested users.
(4) to strengthen services of all types of publicly and privately supported special, school, academic, and public libraries;
A. administer the Federal Library Services and Construction Act.
B. with the State Library Advisory Council and the Council on Library Automation promulgate appropriate library standards.
C. provide reference and interlibrary loan service to all types of libraries in Indiana from the specialized services and collections of the State Library as identified by Statute.
I. Librarians must provide the highest level of service through appropriate and usefully organized collections, fair and equitable circulation and service policies, and skillful, accurate, unbiased, and courteous responses to all requests for assistance.
II. Librarians must make every effort to provide open access to all library materials based on the community standard of the State of Indiana.
III. Librarians must respect each user's right to privacy regarding information sought or received, and materials consulted, borrowed, or acquired, in accordance with existing statutes.
IV. Librarians must adhere to the principles of due process and equality of opportunity in peer relationships and personnel actions.
V. Librarians must distinguish clearly in their actions and statements between their personal philosophies and attitudes and those of an institution or professional body.
VI. Librarians must avoid situations in which personal interests might be served or financial benefits gained at the expense of library users, colleagues, or the employing institution.
In the past, the Indiana State Library has served a wide and varied set of users across the state of Indiana. However, an effort to re-focus the use of the State Library's resources has been brought about for three primary reasons. The first is the dramatic lack of growth in the State Library's materials budget and increase in cost of materials. Second, the cooperative statewide library network and the changing expectations of the library community with regard to State Library service. The latter reflects the belief on the part of numerous librarians that the State Library should focus on what it can do uniquely. And third, the changing technology with electronic access to full text material becoming readily available.
The revised mission statement places primary emphasis on the State Library's service to:
(1) state government - officials, agencies, and their staff;
(2) historians and researchers of Indiana history
(3) researchers of genealogical information
(4) Citizens of Indiana who are unable to utilize regular print materials due to a visual or physical disability or to institutions serving people with those disabilities.
(5) As funds allow, the State Library will purchase materials unlikely to be available in other libraries due to their specialized nature beyond the scope outlined in areas listed above.
(6) Citizens needing federal documents.
(7) the library professionals
Librarians of the State Library have the primary responsibility for selecting materials for the State Library's collection. Citizens of Indiana, state employees, and state officials may also recommend titles, and those requests will be given consideration. The responsibility for the professional supervision of the selection of State Library materials rests with the Division Heads of the various departments and the acquisitions librarian. The State Librarian ultimately has the final responsibility for the selection of materials.
In order to better select materials to meet the information needs of state government, State Library staff may identify volunteer experts in state government (area specialists) to assist with collection development.
The Indiana State Library subscribes to the Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to View, the Freedom to Read, and the Intellectual Freedom Statement, An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights. Complete texts of these statements may be found in Appendix.
The presence of an item in the library does not indicate an endorsement of its content by the Library. Access to library materials will not be restricted beyond what is required to protect materials from theft and damage. The physical facility's compact shelving and closed stacks presently limit physical access. Some gift material, primarily Manuscripts, may also have individual donor restrictions.
Works to be added to the collection may be judged by the following criteria:
Authoritativeness
What is the background and reputation of the author or creator? of the publisher? of the sponsoring body?
Accuracy
How accurate is the information presented? (Expert opinion is usually needed here).
Impartiality
Are all sides of a question presented fairly, or is there evidence of bias? Hidden bias or openly admitted bias?
Currency of data
How up-to-date is the information? In revised editions, how much revision has been done?
Adequate scope
Are all important aspects of the topic covered, or are some slighted or left out?
Depth of coverage
Does the work go into enough detail, or is it superficial?
Appropriateness
Is the work presented at a level (vocabulary, visual, etc.) that can be comprehended by the intended user? How suitable is the length? Will the user's attention span be overtaxed? Is the work suitable for group or individual use? or both?
Relevancy
Is the work relevant to the user's experience?
How useful will the data be to intended users?
Interest
Will the work hold the user's interest by appealing to the imagination, sense of curiosity, human needs etc?
Does the work offer an intellectual challenge?
Organization
Is the work developed in a logical fashion?
Are all parts pertinent?
Style
Is the style of presentation appropriate to the material?
Is the style comprehensible to the intended user?
Aesthetic qualities
Does the work offer a genuine artistic experience?
Does the work exhibit imagination and originality?
Technical aspects
For printed materials, how faithful to the original are the illustrations and what is the degree of clarity?
In the case of audiovisual materials, is the work technically superior in terms of photography, sound, and physical condition, and is the picture clear and sharp with an undistorted soundtrack.
Physical Characteristics
Is the typeface well chosen and of the right size?
Are the paper and binding of good quality?
Is the work well designed? Attractively packaged?
How easy is it to use the work? To repair the work?
How durable is the work?
Special features
Are bibliographies, appendices, notes, and guides to the material included?
Library potential
How does this work fit into the collection that already exists?
Does it balance another work of differing viewpoint or merely add more of the same?
How frequently will this work be used?
Cost
Is there a less expensive substitute that will serve the same purpose?
What are the processing costs? The storage costs?
How permanent is the content of this work? Will it soon become obsolete because of the visual matter or content?
DEMAND
An added criteria would be the need or demand for the item by primary clientele.
These qualities may be determined by consulting reviews or by examining the work in question.
Excerpted from Richard K. Gardner, Library Collections: Their Origin, Selection, and Development (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1981), pp. 185-186.
Levels of Collection Development
Materials will be selected at four levels. These levels are defined as follows:
A. Out of scope - The State Library does not collect in this area. (Level 1)
B. Basic information level - A selective collection of materials that serves to introduce and serve as ready reference resources and define a subject and to indicate the varieties of information available elsewhere. It may include dictionaries, encyclopedias, access to appropriate bibliographic databases, selected editions of important works, historical surveys, bibliographics, handbooks, and a few major periodicals. The collection is frequently and systematically reviewed for currency of information. (Level 2)
C. Intermediate information level - A collection that is adequate to impart and maintain knowledge about a subject in a systematic way but a level of less than research intensity. The collection includes a wide range of basic works in appropriate formats, a significant number of classic retrospective materials, complete collections of the works of more important writers, selections from the work of secondary writers, a selection of representative journals, access to appropriate machine - readable data files and the reference tools and fundamental bibliographical apparatus pertaining to the subject. The collection is systematically reviewed for currency of information and to assure that essential and significant information is retained. (Level 3)
D. Research information level - A collection that includes the major published source materials required for independent research, including materials containing research reporting, new findings, and other information useful to researchers. It is intended to include all important reference works and a wide selection of specialized monographs, as well as a very extensive collection of journals and major indexing and abstracting services in the field. Older material is usually retained for historical research and actively preserved. (Level 4)
A General Works
AC Collections, Series, Collected Works
AE Encyclopedias
AG Dictionaries and Other Reference Works
AI Indexes
AM Museums(General)Collectors and Collecting(General)
AN Newspapers
AP Periodicals
AS Academics and learned societies
AY Yearbooks, Almanacs, Directories
AZ History of Scholarship and Learning
The level of collection for the above listed material is determined by the development levels of other classification levels indicated or if Indiana material subject.
B Philosophy (Level)
BC Logic 1
BD Speculative philosophy 1
BF Psychology 2
Motivation 2
Emotion 2
Will Choice 2
Applied psychology 2
Comparative psychology 2
Developmental psychology 2
Child psychology 2
BH Aesthetics 1
BJ Ethics, Social usages, etiquette 2
Individual ethics,character, virtue 2
Social usages, etiquette 2
BL Religion 1
BM Judaism 1
BP Islam, Bahaism, Theosophy, etc 1
BQ Buddhism 1
BR Christianity 1
BS The Bible 1
BT Doctrinal theology 1
BV Practical Theology 1
BX Christian denominations 1
C Auxiliary sciences of history
CB History of civilization 1
CC Archaeology 2
CD Diplomatics, Archives, Seals 2
Diplomatics 1
Archives 2
Seals 1
CE Technical chronology, calendar 1
CJ Numismatics 1
CN Inscriptions, Epigraphy 1
CR Heraldry (See section on Genealogy) 2
CS Genealogy (See section on Genealogy) 4
CT Biography (For biography associated with a 2 particular subject, see the subject)
D History 1
E America (General) 3
F United States Local History
Indiana materials (See section on Indiana collection) 4
G Geography (General) Atlases, Maps 2
GB Physical geography 2
GF Human ecology, anthrogeography 2
GN Anthropology 2
GV Recreation leisure 2
Outdoor life 2
Physical education and training 2
H Social Services 2
HA Statistics (United States) 3
HB Economics 2
HC Economic history and conditions 2
HD Economic history and conditions 2
HE Transportation and communications 2
Traffic engineering.
Roads,highways,streets 2
Railways 2|
Automotive transportation 2
Telecommunication industry 2
Radio and television broadcasting 2
Telephone 2
Artificial satellite communications 2
HF Commerce 2
HG Finance 2
HJ Public Finance 3
HM Sociology 2
HN Social history, social problems, social reform
United States 3
HT Communities, Classes, Races 3
HV Social pathology, social & public welfare, criminology 3
J General legislative and executive papers
JA Collections and general works 2
JC Political theory, theory of the state 2
JF Constitutional history and administration, 3
JK State Government (public administration) 3
JS Local government 2
K Law (general)
(Ready reference resources) 2
(Indexes to Federal Documents) 3
L Education (general)
LB Theory and practice of education 3
LC Special aspects of education 3
M Music 1
N Visual Arts (general)
NA Architecture 2
P Philology and Linguistics (general) (Dictionaries) 2
Q Science (general)
QH Natural history (general), Biology (general) 2
R Medicine(Ready reference resources) 2
S Agriculture
(Ready reference resources) 2
SD Forestry 2
T Technology (General)
TD Environmental technology, sanitary engineering 2
TE Highway engineering. Roads & pavements 2
TF Railroad engineering 2
TG Bridge engineering 2
TH Building construction 2
TK Electronics 2
TL Motor vehicles 2
TS Manufactures
(Ready reference resources) 2
U Military science (general) 1
V Naval science (general) 1
Z Books in general 2
Library science 3
The Indiana Division was originally formed to provide a location and environment for the collection of Indiana related materials within the Indiana State Library. Over the years the scope of the collection has mirrored the variety of interests and experiences of Hoosiers from around the state. The division has traditionally collected in the post 1850 time period and covered all geographic areas of the state. Its strength have been in areas of state government and related documents, history, literature, newspaper holdings, and manuscripts. Guidelines in recent years provided a more in-depth definition of the types of material collected by the division.
1. Objectives
A. To collect, preserve, and make accessible material indigenous to the life and development of the state and its citizens.
B. To collect and maintain a collection of all Indiana literary award - winning titles.
2. Definition of an Indiana Author and of Indiana Material
For the purpose of these guidelines, the following definitions have been adopted.
A. An Indiana author is understood to be either (1) a native of the state or (2) a long-term resident of Indiana.
B. Indiana material includes:
- State histories and records in published form.
- County and local histories and records in published form.
- Biographies of native Hoosiers.
- Creative writings (fiction, drama, essays, poetry) of noted Indiana authors.
- Humanistic, political, social, and technical material dealing with Indiana subjects.
- Sports and recreation materials related to Indiana.
- Films and other audiovisual materials related to Indiana.
- Newspapers published from all parts of Indiana.
- Indiana state documents as mandated by IC 4-23-71.25.
3. The following material will not normally be considered Indiana material:
A. Cookbooks, diet books
B. Light romantic novels
C. Textbooks
D. Sermons and other religious tracts.
4. Collections within the Division, definitions:
A. Indiana General Collection: This represents the vast bulk of the collection and includes the books, pamphlets, microforms, serials, histories, and non-cataloged items available for research and circulation. Materials are recommended for acquisition by the reference staff, state employees and the public.
B. Indiana Reference Collection: The Reference Collection supports the activities of the reference staff in their service to state government and the public. Materials are added to this collection based on the (1) factual quality of the material, (2) value as a reference tool, (3) standard reference quality. Reference materials should meet the same basic criteria for inclusion as other materials and are not restricted to traditional sources. The collection contains contemporary materials to provide statistical and current factual information about the state. Historical sources are used to aid the historical and genealogical researcher.
C. Manuscript Collection: "Private" papers of individuals rather than "official" papers of office holders are housed in the Manuscript collection. The division acquires material by gift or by purchase, if funds are available. Materials include personal letters, diaries, reminiscences, account books, broadsides, records of organizations, selected church records, personal papers and manuscripts of authors, historians, politicians, and citizens.
D. Newspaper Collection: The collection consists primarily of newspapers from all parts of Indiana. Paper and microform subscriptions are included for current subscriptions. Back files of original and microform holdings are acquired through donation and cooperative ventures. If microform holdings are available the pulp paper issues will be discarded. Rag quality newspapers and historically significant newspapers will be retained in their original format as space permits. Selection of titles is made by the division head on the recommendation of the newspaper staff. Selected out-of-state papers such as New York Times and Wall Street Journal are housed in the newspaper section but acquisition is subject to review. Newspapers published in the state but containing no Indiana content will not be selected. Newspapers that are "special interest" such as religious, organizational, topical, etc. may be cataloged and housed with the division general collection. (examples: Criterion, Indianapolis Business Journal)
E. Vault Collection: Materials are added to this collection because they are sufficiently rare, valuable, and/or unique to warrant special care.
F. Indiana State Documents
In order that all public documents of the State of Indiana shall be preserved and made available for use by the citizens of the state, the State Library is designated as the depository library for Indiana state documents. The State Library shall maintain a complete collection of all Indiana public documents. This collection shall be the official file of Indiana state documents (IC 4-23-7.1-25).
The State Library shall: keep at least two (2) copies of each Indiana state document as permanent reference copies (IC 4-23-7.1-27a). Exception: keep one (1) copy of publications from Purdue University, Indiana University, Indiana State University, and Ball State University.
The Indiana Division is responsible for the acquisition of Indiana state documents, and the determination of which items and the number of copies which should be cataloged. The Serials Section of the Catalog Division, which receives many Indiana state documents directly from state agencies, assists in their acquisition by routing new titles to the Indiana Division and claiming those serial issues for titles recorded on open serial records, which, for whatever reasons, have not been claimed by the Coordinator for State Documents in the Indiana Division.
G. Maps: Maps of Indiana and previous to statehood, Indiana and Northwest Territory, may be collected. Maps may be added to the collection through purchase or donation. Maps which include the whole state or any portion thereof may be collected. County atlases are also collected and most of these are purchased as they are revised. Quadrangle maps of Indiana received as a part of the Federal Depository are cataloged to the Indiana Division collection rather than classed as documents.
H. Photographs, pictures: Photographs and pictures of Indiana people and places are collected. Most photos are received by donation and purchase of pictures or photos is rare. Photos received as a part of a manuscript collection may be added to the picture collection if so advised by the manuscript librarian. Photographs or pictures of works produced by Indiana artists may be included. There may exist for a photograph an accompanying negative. These are retained by the division. Negatives of items in the collection produced by the State Archives and the Indiana Historical Society become property of the Indiana Division.
I. Programs: Programs of cultural and sporting events, performing arts, such as theatre, musicals, concerts etc. will be collected for all time periods. The programs are received by donation, rarely would one be purchased. The programs are classified by date for the early years (1830- 1899) and by broad subject area or decade for the later years (1900-present).
J. Other
Clipping files: Newspaper clippings on various relevant Indiana subjects will be collected and filed by subject. Also found in the clipping files are items of one or a few sheets and small pamphlets which will not become a part of the cataloged pamphlet collection.
City, county directories: City and county directories will be collected for Indiana cities and counties only. County directories are produced approximately every three years and an attempt is made to secure all of these. For cities in which a directory is published every year, an attempt is made to purchase these every 2-3 years. Indianapolis directories will be purchased for every year available.
Indiana Legislative Bills: All versions are acquired during the legislative session. Two years after the session ends they are removed to storage where they are retained permanently. The collection dates to 1976.
5. Acquisition Policies:
One copy of all works in Section 2 B of the Indiana Materials Guidelines may be acquired with the following exceptions:
A. Two copies of all local histories with significant genealogical interest may be acquired with the second copy cataloged for the Genealogy Collection.
B. Two copies of state documents are to be collected.
The Indiana State Library retains only one copy of unofficial publications such as newletters.
Indiana materials will be collected at Level 4 of the Collection Development Levels.
Microforms should be considered as an alternative to print material especially for the preservation of newspapers, acquisition of out-of-print materials, back issues of serials, thesis and dissertations.
Electronic access or digital storage may be considered as an alternative fomat.
The primary purpose of this collection is to collect and preserve records that will assist patrons in their research to establish family connections. Although its larger aim is to meet the needs of Hoosiers, its collection is not confined to people of this state. Concentration of the collection is on materials from States east of the Mississippi River.
This primary purpose is reflected in gifts and purchases of manuscripts, charts, and printed genealogies. First emphasis is placed on compilations of Indiana families, those with Indiana connections, or those written by Indiana persons. Many other family histories of a general or standard value are considered. Genealogies of families settling in eastern, southern, and mid-western states are given first consideration for purchase. Family "notes", unless organized are usually not accepted. Individual foreign genealogies are rarely considered. Some local histories of other states will be obtained.
The collection of genealogical material is further enhanced by the Indiana Historical Society's cooperative venture with the Genealogy Section. In this respect, the Society has transferred (some on permanent loan) many published family histories and other genealogical items from their collection.
The Genealogy Section within the Indiana Division of the Indiana State Library in accepting the genealogy collection of the Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library, known as the Eugene Haslet Darrach Memorial Library (Darrach Collection), also assumed the responsibility for maintaining and expanding this collection. This collection supplements that of the Genealogy Section and additions are made with this in mind.
Genealogical materials will be collected at Level 4 of the Collection Development Levels.
The Special Services Division serves as the Indiana Regional Library for the Library of Congress's National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped (NLS). The division maintains a circulating collection of federally supplied materials in a recorded disk and tape, braille and other special formats. The collection provided by the NLS represents a wide range of informational and recreational library materials. Other materials of Indiana history or Indiana related are recorded by the Indiana History Project sponsored by the Indiana Historical Society. Other material in a recorded format of personal interest to eligible readers may be acquired to supplement the basic collection.
Large print materials are purchased to provide recreational reading material for those who find it difficult to read conventional size type. Fiction is the primary focus of this collection as the publication of non-fiction materials in this format is limited. Books for pre-school through third grade wll not be collected because they are normally published in large print and are readily available at any public or school library.
Large print materials will be collected at a level based on availability of material from publishers and budget established.
Material are only available to citizens of Indiana with a certified application on file stating that they are unable to use standard print because of a physical disability or through interlibrary loan for large print.
The Indiana State Library has been a depository for federal government publications since its inception. It was designated a regional depository in 1963. Regional depositories must receive and retain at least one copy of all government publications made available under the Depository Library Program whether in print, microform, or computer disc. Regionals may discard depository materials that have been authorized for regional discard by the Superintendent of Documents (Title 44, USC, Section 1912, and the Superseded List).
The responsibilities of the regional depository are shared by the Catalog Division and the Reference and Government Services Division. The Catalog Division is responsible for all technical services; the acquisition processes, bibliographic control (check-in and cataloging), processing, disposition of unwanted documents by selective depository libraries, and consultant service to selectives on questions or problems pertaining to technical services. The Reference and Government Services Division is responsible for the reference services and housing of the collection.
The depository collection is supplemented by resource materials which facilitate the use of this collection.
The Serial Section of the Catalog Division of the Indiana State Library is the Exchange Agent for the Indiana State Library, the Indiana Historical Bureau, the Indiana Academy of Science, and the Indiana Historical Society.
Materials received from the distribution of publications from these agencies and organizations are added to the library's collections.
Materials received from the exchange program should be reviewed against the collection development policy or special collections prior to approval being made for cataloging.
The Indiana State Library is mandated by statute (IC 4-23-7.1-27e) to "set up a document exchange system with agencies in other states, in order that selected documents of various other states shall be available for use by the citizens of Indiana."
The Indiana State Library will collect selected publications from adjoining states (Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Kentucky). Publications from other states will be collected and retained only as needed on the basis of their content and if they meet the criteria of the collection development policy.
Material selected to be kept, depending on its content, will be cataloged or kept in vertical file material. However, a few state documents relevant to family history research will be added to the Genealogy collection.
Machine-readable formats will be acquired following the State Library Collection Development Policy for like print materials.
1. On-line databases: The State Library will subscribe to on-line databases and electronic bulletin boards at a level to support its reference services. The State Library will provide broad access as funds, license agreements, and computer capability will allow.
2. CD-ROM databases: The State Library will acquire databases on CD-ROM to supplement on-line resources and to provide direct public access to information in machine-readable formats.
3. Databases on diskette: The State Library will collect databases on diskette only when on-line or CD-ROM alternatives are not readily available.
4. Computer software: Computer software will be acquired to provide access to the materials specified in the preceding three categories, to facilitate custom formatting of machine-readable data, and as supplements to printed materials.
Gifts are accepted with the understanding that the State Library reserves the privilege of deciding whether the material should be added to the collection based on the Collection Development Policy. If a gift is not added, the State Library will exercise the right to offer it to another library or otherwise dispose of the item.
Evaluation of gifts should include consideration of the physical condition and content of the material and the cost to the State Library in cataloging, maintaining, and preserving the materials.
A desk copy of a constantly used working tool may be purchased for the use of a State Library staff member. A record of desk copies will be kept in the Catalog Division. Desk copies will not circulate outside the State Library. Some desk copies will not circulate within the State Library.
The State Library will not normally purchase multiple copies of cataloged material except for limited Indiana history materials and large print books and magazines.
Weeding will be done with the same thought and judgment used in acquiring materials, and the same criteria will apply. Generally, items recommended for withdrawal will be reviewed by the Division Head of the appropriate division.
Materials may be weeded because of:
1. Content
a. Superseded editions, unless they contain valuable illustrations, bibliographic references, maps, etc., not found in later editions.
b. Duplicate copies unless demand justifies two or more copies of a title.
c. Outdated works.
d. No longer fits within collection development guidelines.
2. Physical condition
3. Availability in alternate format, e.g., microforms, videocassette.
4. Space limitation
Certain categories of materials are not normally withdrawn:
1. Indiana material, unless there is excessive duplication
2. Books appearing in major indexes, unless they do not fit within collection guidelines.
3. Most state documents that are Indiana related
4. Federal documents which the Superintendent of Documents has indicated must be retained.
5. Books having a timeless value by virtue of research, historical content value, illustrations, illustrators, editors, translators or some unique characteristic of format
6. Rare materials not available in a microform format
7. Special material that includes some Indiana related materials.
Special factors which do not constitute criteria for weeding:
1. Lack of circulation or use will not necessarily determine retention of a title in research areas such as Indiana and family history as usefulness of a title cannot always be judged by circulation.
2. Works will not be withdrawn simply because they contain controversial or unpopular opinions or material.
3. One volume of a multivolume work will not be withdrawn. The complete set will be considered a whole and either all volumes retained or all discarded.
4. Replacement:
An item lost or in poor physical condition will not automatically be replaced. The decision to replace such an item will be based on the priorities for collection development listed in the State Library Collection Development Policy.
Discarded material will be offered to other libraries prior to disposal or as federal and state laws allow.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
Author________________________ SUGGESTED BY:
Title__________________________ NAME _______________
Publisher/Producer________________ AGENCY _______________
Year________ Price___________ ADDRESS _______________
______Title seen in review(please attach) __________________
______Other
DISPOSITION RETURN TO:
____ Yes, the recommended item has been Loan Desk
selected for purchase. You will be Indiana State Library
notified when it is available for use. 140 N. Senate Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46204
____ No, the suggested title was not
selected for purchase. I am sorry,
but it does not meet our current
selection criteria.
____ Other
The Indiana State Library serves as a resource for individual examination of issues and personal decision making. Therefore, the collection contains various positions expressed on important, complicated or controversial questions, including unpopular or unorthodox positions. The State Library does not promote particular beliefs or views, but instead presents quality materials containing opposing views for examination by library users.
Complaints concerning material from the collection must be submitted in writing on the "Request For Reconsideration of Library Materials" form. (Appendix)
The request will be considered by the Division Head of the appropriate division and the Associate Director for Public and Support Services. If further consideration is necessary, the following parties in stated order will be consulted:
1. Executive Committee of the Indiana State Library
2. Indiana Library and Historical Board
Title______________________Book_____Periodical____Film____Other__________
Author_________________________________________________________________
Publisher/Producer_____________________________________________________
Request initiated by_____________________________________________________
Address_________________________________________________________________
City_________________State___________Zip________Telephone_______________
Do you represent:
______Yourself
______An Organization (name)____________________________________________
______Other Group (name)_______________________________________________
1. To what in the work do you object? (Please be specific. Cite page/portion
of film/video)_____________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________
2. Did you read/view the entire work?____________What parts?__________
__________________________________________________________________
3. What do you feel might be the result of reading or viewing this work?
__________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________
4. What do you believe is the theme of this work?_______________________
5. Are you aware of judgments of this work by critics?_________________
6. What would you like the State Library to do about this work?___________
___________ Explain_________________________________________
7. In its place, what work would you recommend that would convey as valuable a picture and perspective of the subject treated?__________________________________________________________
Signature___________________________
Date________________________________
RECEIVED FROM: ____________________________ DATE: __________________
ADDRESS/AGENCY: ____________________________
____________________________
____________________________
The State Library accepts gift materials with the understanding that they will be added to the collection if they meet the State Library's standards of selection. The appropriate staff will determine the handling of donated items. If materials received are not added to the collection, they will be disposed of in a manner determined by the State Library.
All gifts must be unqualified. By signing this form the donor relinquishes all ownership rights to the materials donated and materials not added to the collection will not be returned.
The State Library will not determine a monetary value.
DONOR'S
RECEIVED BY:______________________ SIGNATURE_________________________
Items may be listed below and on back if desired.
The State Library endorses the following statements:
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
3. Libraries should provide challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
5. A person's right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
6. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
The history of our country is one of struggle against tyranny and persecution; not only of individuals but also of ideals and ideas. Of the many ideals and ideas set forth in the three historical documents which are the foundation of our government and society (The Constitution, Bill of Rights, and Declaration of Independence), one of these stands out for librarians: this is "The Freedom of Expression, specifically the right to publish diverse opinions and the right to unrestricted access to those opinions," i.e. The Freedom to Read. *
Ours is a free and changing and growing and creative society. If it is to remain so, then "Free Expression is essential." **
"Only through continuous weighing and selection from among opposing views can free individuals obtain the strength needed for making intelligent, constructive decisions and actions." *
The absence of the Freedom to Read stifles change and creativity. The presence of this freedom encourages them and allows the individual as well as the society to grow.
* From an Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights 6/25/71, American Library Association Council.
** The Freedom to Read: A joint statement by the American Library Association and the Association of American Publishers.
The FREEDOM TO VIEW, along with the freedom to speak, to hear and to read, is protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States. In a free society, there is no place for censorship of any medium of expression. Therefore these principles are affirmed:
1. To provide the broadest possible access to film, video, and other audiovisual materials because they are a means for the communication of ideas. Liberty of circulation is essential to insure the constitutional guarantee of freedom of expression.
2. To protect the confidentiality of all individuals and institutions using film, video, and other audiovisual materials.
3. To provide film, video, and other audiovisual materials which represent a diversity of views and expression. Selection of a work does not constitute or imply agreement with or approval of the content.
4. To provide a diversity of viewpoints without the constraint of labeling or prejudging film, video and other audiovisual materials on the basis of the moral, religious, or political beliefs of the producer or filmmaker or on the basis of controversial content.
5. To contest vigorously, by all lawful means, every encroachment upon the public's freedom to view.
Updated and Approved by the American Film and Video
Association. 1989
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