Fountaindale Public Library District provides materials that inspire lifelong learning, foster creativity and connect our patrons to resources and to the community through our robust collection of books and technology. The library’s collections are governed by the policy established by the Board of Trustees and any applicable rules or regulations adopted by the Library. The Executive Director as the executor of the policy for the Board of Trustees has discretion in determining what materials are in the best interest of the Library and is authorized to act accordingly. The Board of Trustees may modify, amend or supplement this policy as it deems necessary and appropriate.
The Collection Services Manager oversees and coordinates material selection, which is performed by designated librarians and staff. The Library also provides access to digital platforms, streaming subscriptions and electronic databases, of which some content is governed by the vendors. Ultimate responsibility for the library’s collection resides with the Executive Director, as authorized by the Board of Trustees.
Materials are selected to fulfill the mission established by the Fountaindale Public Library District Board of Trustees. The Library’s primary objective for material selection is to create a high-use, popular materials collection that reflects the interests and needs of the library community.
The following criteria serve as guidelines:
Suggestions for materials to be purchased are welcome from patrons, trustees, and staff. An attempt will be made to borrow, through interlibrary loan, any item requests that do not meet the selection criteria to be added to the library’s collection.
Fountaindale Public Library District seeks to support the community’s local authors and other creative content producers. The Library maintains a physical collection of materials created by Bolingbrook residents or former residents and of material that may be of interest to the Fountaindale community. In addition, digital materials created by Bolingbrook residents or former residents may be hosted by the Library on a vendor-provided platform, where the terms and conditions would apply.
Donations of books and other materials will be accepted by the Library with the understanding that these are given unconditionally and become the property of the Library. The Library will not accept any materials that are not outright gifts, nor will the Library accept any materials that attach the condition of periodic or permanent display. The Library reserves the right to give donated materials to another organization or institution, add the item to its collection, or dispose of it in any other manner. The Library reserves the right to evaluate and select donations of materials in accordance with the criteria applied to purchased materials. Gifts of personal property are generally not accepted.
Gifts of money are always welcome. An individual or organization may donate money to the Library for the purchase of new materials. The donor may recommend an age level, format, and subject area of items to be purchased within the guidelines of this policy. The library will attempt to honor the donor’s wishes if they are consistent with library policies, current needs, and available space. Donations and materials purchased with donated funds become a part of the Library’s collection and are subject to the Library’s guidelines for deselection and weeding.
No valuations or appraisals shall be made by the library staff on any potential or actual gifts to the Library. A gift receipt form is available upon request.
The continuous review of library materials is necessary as a means of maintaining an updated, attractive library collection of current interest to patrons. Items may be withdrawn due to low usage, outdated information, space considerations, superseded editions or formats, and items that are worn or damaged. Deselection of all library materials will be at the discretion of the Executive Director and/or their designee.
The Library is committed to the democratic principles expressed in the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights, and the Freedom to Read and Freedom to View statements. The Library strives to provide materials representing a wide range of ideas and opinions. Selection of materials is made on the basis of the values and interests of all people in the community. No material will be excluded because of the personal characteristics or political or social views of the author. No material will be excluded solely because the frankness of presentation might be offensive to some nor because the material might not be suitable for all ages. Inclusion of an item in the collection does not constitute endorsement of its content by the Library.
The Library believes that censorship is an individual matter and declares that, while anyone is free to reject for themselves materials of which they do not approve, they cannot exercise this right of censorship to restrict the freedom of others. There are no age restrictions on the borrowing of library materials. Responsibility for materials accessed by children or adolescents rests with their parents or legal guardians and is not limited by the Library.
The Library encourages interest in its collections and welcomes patron feedback. Patron concerns about materials in the collection must be presented to the Collection Services Manager, who shall seek to resolve the concerns. Patrons who request the reconsideration of library materials will be asked to complete and sign the form entitled “Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials”. Upon receipt of this completed request form, the Executive Director will create a review process and make a decision regarding the reconsideration request, based upon policies outlined in this document. If the result does not satisfy the patron, the Executive Director will bring the matter to the attention of the Board of Trustees for their consideration.
The complainant must be a resident of the Library District. Until a decision is reached, an item will remain in the collection. An item that has already been formally reviewed for reconsideration and was decided to remain in the collection may not be eligible for reconsideration again until one year has passed.
The Board of Trustees of Fountaindale Public Library District will review the Collection Management Policy and regulations periodically and reserves the right to amend them at any time. The Board authorizes the Executive Director to waive regulations under appropriate circumstances. The Executive Director is the chief person empowered to make decisions regarding the management of the library’s collections.
Any appeals for changes or exceptions to any portion of the Collection Management Policy will be considered. An individual wishing to file an appeal shall submit it to the Executive Director in writing. The Executive Director will respond in writing.
