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Materials Selection Policy

Approved by the DCPL Board of Trustees on December 15, 2010.

Trustees of the Daviess County Public Library recognize that our community is made of people of varied backgrounds, interests, religions, ethnic groups, educational levels, and that as far as possible the materials selected should reflect
this variety.

To this end, the public library has the responsibility, as is appropriate:

  1. To provide materials that will enrich or support the varied interests, abilities, and maturity levels of the people for whom they are selected.
  2. To provide materials that will stimulate growth in literary appreciation, in aesthetic values, in ethical standards, and in factual knowledge.
  3. To provide a background of information which will enable citizens to make intelligent choices. The library does not necessarily endorse every idea contained in the materials made available.
  4. To provide, if available, objective materials representing all sides in areas of opposing viewpoints and controversy.
  5. To provide materials which are representative of the many religious, ethnic and cultural groups and their contributions to our American heritage.
  6. To place principle above personal opinion, reason above prejudice, and judgment over censorship. No material will be excluded because of the race or nationality of the author or because of his political or social views.
  7. To provide materials which meet popular demand, considering the following factors:
    • It is part of a popular series?
    • It is on a Bestseller list (New York Times or Publishers Weekly)?
    • It is by a well-known author?
    • It is an award winner?
    • It has up-to-date or new information (especially important for non-fiction).

The bulk of selecting will be done from standard review sources both print and electronic such as:

  1. Library Journal
  2. Booklist
  3. New York Times Book Review
  4. School Library Journal
  5. General magazines such as Time and Newsweek.
  6. Newspapers such as Wall Street Journal and Louisville Courier Journal.
  7. Video Librarian
  8. CD Hotlist

Anyone who objects to a particular item is to fill out completely a “request for reconsideration” form and give it to a staff member. The staff member responsible for selection in that area will respond to the request. If the library staff is unable to reach a satisfactory understanding with the customer, a committee comprised of members of the library staff, the DCPL Board of Trustees and a representative from the Kentucky Department of Libraries and Archives will be asked to review the item in question. If the customer is still dissatisfied the request is to be submitted to the Board for consideration.