Material Selection Policy

A. Responsibility for Selection

The responsibility for selection of library materials rests with the library director
who operates within the framework of the policies determined by the Uintah
County Library Board of Trustees who act under the authority of the Uintah
County Commissioners. The library staff may offer suggestions or
recommendations as to possible materials.

B. The main points considered in the selection of materials are:

  • individual merit of each item
  • popular appeal/demand
  • suitability of material for the clientele - No material will be allowed that is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community as a whole. No materials that are harmful to minors, constitute child pornography, contain sexually explicit conduct, appeal to a prurient interest in sex, or are otherwise illegal will be permitted. (Objectionable materials are those that have no serious literary,
    artistic, political or scientific value)
  • existing library holdings
  • budget
  • available space
  • Consideration is given to requests from library patrons and books discussed on public media. Materials are judged on the basis of the work as a whole.

C. Weeding

An up-to-date, attractive and useful collection is maintained through a continual withdrawal and replacement process. Replacement of library materials is dependent upon current demand, usefulness, more recent acquisitions, and availability of newer editions. This ongoing process of weeding is the responsibility of the library director. Withdrawn materials will be handled in a similar manner and under the same authority as donated materials.

D. Potential Problems or Challenges

The Uintah County Library recognizes that some materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some patrons. A patron who objects to any item in the library’s collection should be given a “Statement of Concern About Library Resources” form to complete. The form shall be given to the Library Director for consideration. In the event the patron is dissatisfied with the Library Director’s decision regarding the matter, the patron may request that the matter be placed upon the agenda of the next regular meeting of the Uintah County Library Board of Trustees. In the event that the decision of the board is unsatisfactory, the patron has the right to state objections to the Uintah County Commissioners. The decision of the Uintah County Commissioners shall be final.

No library material will be sequestered except to protect it from damage or theft.

Adopted May 24, 2006