About the Library

1. To acquire and make accessible a collection of materials in varying formats to support the instructional programs of the college. This objective will be achieved by providing both course-related and research materials for students and classroom instructional materials for faculty.
2. To create an open and caring environment that encourages self-motivated and life-long learning. This objective will be achieved through continuous improvement processes (including assessment, planning, and implementation of needed changes) and through professional development activities.
3. To collaborate with faculty to teach students to use information resources effectively to supplement their course instruction and their other information needs, paying close attention to developing critical thinking skills. This will include an information literacy program for all users to teach assessing, searching, evaluating, and organizing skills for the practical use of information.
4. To keep users informed of new materials and services and to generally promote library use among all patrons.
5. To encourage and cooperate in the development and use of networks, consortia, or systems among area and state libraries for improved access and services to all patrons. This will include the Kentucky Virtual Library (KYVL), the Federation of Kentucky Academic Libraries (FoKAL), and any other library or institution that can supply needed information.

Responsibility for Selection of Library Materials
The ultimate responsibility for determining whether requested materials conform to the goals, qualitative guidelines, and policies presented in this document rests with the Director of Library Services. First priority in the selection process will be given to materials for student and faculty use in support of the colleges programs and curriculum. Second priority will be given to materials for the professional development of faculty and staff and third priority to materials for the general education and personal enrichment of all citizens in the colleges service area.

1. Librarian's Role
   1. The Public Services Librarian will have primary responsibility for the overall growth and development of the reference collection.
   2. The Director of Library Services will have primary responsibility for the overall growth and development of the general collection.
   3. The Librarians will consider each item in light of the needs of the Library as a whole. Reviewing tools, professional journals, reading lists, etc., will be used in the selection process, and previewing of materials will be done whenever possible.
   4. The Librarians will attempt to ensure that funds are spent equitably between programs and disciplines.
   5. The Librarians will seek input from faculty for the following:
      1. Requested titles of materials in their discipline
      2. Course reading lists
      3. Course syllabi
      4. The Librarians will seek input from students for materials needed to complete assignments
2. Faculty's Role
   1. The Faculty should search the literature in their own discipline and request materials, in appropriate formats, which they think would support students learning and classroom teaching.
   2. The Faculty should give input for purchase of materials whenever they are teaching a new course to ensure adequate resources for the class.
   3. The Faculty should provide the Library with any reading lists given to students to make sure sufficient numbers are available to meet student needs.
   4. The Faculty should provide the Library with syllabi for each class to guide Librarians in selecting materials to support specific areas in the curriculum.

Criteria for Selection of Material

1. Accuracy: Are latest research and findings depicted accurately? Is material up-to-date and timely?
2. Authority: Are authors qualified in the subject? Are they widely known? Will books by them be in demand? Is the publisher known for high quality materials both in content and format?
3. Level: Is the material written on a level that is understandable to students? Is it too technical or too elementary?
4. Relevancy: Does the material support the curriculum?
5. Demand: Is it an item that meets students interests as identified by reference staff?
6. Breadth and Depth: Is there a scarcity of materials on the topic? Does it add to the collection by representing one of various views on a controversial topic?
7. Cost: Does the potential use of the material justify its price? Are other equally valuable materials available at a lower cost?
8. Format: Is it in a format that is most appropriate for the material?
9. Textbooks: Assigned textbooks will not be purchased by the Library, although some could be in the collection by coincidence, or added to the reserves area per some faculty's request.
10. Multiple Copies: Multiple copies will be purchased only when special need can be justified.
11. Reviews and Evaluations: Has the material received favorable reviews from professional reviewers? Or been evaluated by faculty/staff using the procedures (See Appendix A) established by the Library?

Faculty and Staff Research Materials
The Library will purchase materials for faculty and staff development, but will carefully review materials that are highly specialized, excessively expensive, or inappropriate for research or teaching of a community college curriculum or in administering community college programs or services. The materials purchased should be more than temporary value, i.e. will be of value for longer than the life of the present project. The same criteria used for selection of other materials will be used to evaluate professional development materials. In cases where the material is not purchased, every effort will be made to borrow the needed material through interlibrary loan services.

Gifts
The Library is happy to receive donations of books and other materials that will enhance the collection. However, the Librarian reserves the right to accept or reject gifts. Gift materials will be reviewed using the same criteria outlined under "Criteria for the Selection of Materials." In addition, because past issues of periodicals are kept in microfiche or digital format, seldom will issues in paper format be accepted. Materials must be of such a nature that they can be integrated into the existing collection, not requiring special facilities, controls, or staffing.

When contacted by a potential donor who has a large collection to donate, the donor may be asked to provide a listing of the items in advance of the materials being brought to the Library. The Library can then assess the titles and notify the donor which titles would possibly be appropriate for the collection. Only items offered unconditionally may be accepted.

Regional and Local Materials
Some materials on local and regional topics will be accepted to support curriculum and research needs. Emphasis will be on current topics and will include such items as reports and documents from government agencies, statistical materials, college and community college information, and other items deemed helpful for research. They shall be located in a specific shelf of the collection and indexed in the public access catalog.

Reserve Collection
The Reserve Collection consists of either Library owned or Instructor owned items which have been placed behind the circulation desk for limited use. Only students who are enrolled in specific classes may check out reserve materials for the specified periods requested by the Instructor. Procedures for placing items on reserve are as follows:

1. Only books, articles, audiovisuals, etc. that are required or optional for use in a course currently being taught should be placed on reserve.
2. A reserve form (available at the circulation desk or online on the Information for Faculty web page) must be filled out completely for each item placed on reserve. Copyright laws will be observed as noted on the reserve form.
3. Reference materials may not be placed on reserve.
4. Instructors materials will be processed with pockets and stickers unless requested otherwise.
5. Library materials and photocopies will be withdrawn at the end of each semester. Instructors materials will be withdrawn and returned to them at the end of each semester unless otherwise instructed.
6. Textbooks may be placed on reserve only if they are not available in the bookstore in sufficient quantities.
7. The Library will not be responsible for replacement of damaged or lost personal copies placed on reserve.
8. Faculty must allow reasonable time for processing materials for reserve. Generally, reserve materials should be received at least one week before the beginning of the semester.

Reconsideration of Library Materials
In keeping with the concept of academic freedom, the collection development staff will attempt to select materials presenting all sides of controversial issues. Procedures for handling complaints include a form to be completed by the complaining party requesting that the material be reconsidered. Forms are available at the circulation desk. No action will be taken unless a signed form is submitted.

The form, along with the offending material, will be presented to the Instructional Resources Committee who will consider the complaint. The committee will make a recommendation to the President of the college who will make the final decision to retain or withdraw the material. The complaining party will then be informed in writing of the decision.

Evaluation of the Collection - Guidelines for Weeding the Collection
The criteria below serves as a guide in the weeding process. Deciding whether to remove an item from the collection is often the result of number of complex factors, both objective and subjective. Subjective criteria are inherently more difficult to establish. As a result, the final decision about whether to keep or remove a particular item from the collection relies in large part on the knowledge of the library staff and their ability to use sound judgment when considering a number of complex and sometimes conflicting variables. 

Books and audiovisual materials will not be automatically removed as a result of loss, damage, or wear. The decision to repair or replace an item will be done on a case by case basis and will depend upon a number of factors. These include whether the library owns duplicate copies of the item, whether the subject is adequately represented, demand for the particular title or subject, and the availability of updated material in the particular subject area.

The following criteria will be used when considering an item for removal from the collection:

CONTENT

1. Outdated and obsolete information
   When was the item originally published?
   Particularly important with subjects that change quickly or require the most current information (nursing, health, computers, technology, etc.).
2. Unneeded titles in subject areas with declining popularity.
   Subject matter involving significant curricular changes.
   Subject has become less popular over time.
3. Superseded editions
   Keep only newest edition unless it is housed in reference collection, then keep subsequent edition in circulating collection (if still relevant).
4. Items of historical significance, containing largely theory, containing relevant information not included in newer edition, or those of local or campus interest are exempt from these policies.
5. Consider the question, if this book is discarded, what else is available on the shelf?

1. Poorly bound or poorly printed volumes.
2. Items worn by age or overuse - Items that are dirty, shabby, warped, faded by sunlight, or have yellowed or brittle pages. Media showing signs of excessive wear.
3. Items damaged by patrons - Items that have torn, taped, stained, or missing pages, have been written on, or exhibit bug damage or other obvious signs of mutilation. CDs or DVDs with scratches large enough to affect audio or video quality. Books missing accompanying media (CD, CD-ROM, etc.).

1. Circulating items that have not been browsed or charged within a significant time period - Consider the question, how long has the item sat on the shelf without being browsed or circulated, keeping in mind when it was added to the collection?
2. Duplicate copies that are no longer needed, regardless of condition.
3. Formats that are no longer popular or present technological challenges - VHS tapes; Computer software

1. Preview of material costing over $100 may be required before purchase.
2. Requests for preview must be given to the Director of Library Services with sufficient information to place the request for preview.
3. When the material arrives, the originator of the request will be notified. A minimum of two people will be required to evaluate the material using the form supplied by the Library as a guide for possible purchase. When the material and evaluation forms are returned, a final decision will be made by the Director. In making the final decision, consideration will be based on cost in relation to the following:
   1. Will the material be utilized only once or twice a year by the instructor or by many?
   2. Will the material become dated quickly?
   3. If the material is expensive and will not receive heavy use, is it available for rental?
4. The originator of the request will be notified of the decision to purchase or not to purchase. If the material is purchased, he/she will be notified when it is available for use.

APPENDIX B
As an agency of the Owensboro Community & Technical College, the library supports the right of free inquiry. To that end, the library endorses the American Library Associations "Library Bill of Rights."

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 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.

Adopted June 18, 1948. Amended February 2, 1961, and January 23, 1980, inclusion of "age" reaffirmed January 23, 1996, by the ALA Council.