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Materials Selection and Management Policy
Purpose
This policy applies to all collections of the Everett Public Library. It provides direction on the procurement and provision of library materials for the public and informs the public about the principles used to select and maintain the collection.
Intellectual Freedom
Everett Public Library is committed to supporting intellectual freedom by providing collections that represent a diversity of cultures, views, and opinions. The Board of Trustees recognizes that within the Library’s service area there are individuals and groups with diverse interests, backgrounds, ages, life experiences and information needs, and that the Library serves all of the people within our communities.
Library materials are organized and maintained to facilitate access. There shall be no prejudicial labeling, separating, restriction or alteration of materials because of controversy surrounding the author or subject matter.
The Board of Trustees believes that individuals should be free to select or reject materials based on personal values; however, they cannot restrict the freedom of others to read, view or inquire. Only parents or guardians have the right and responsibility to guide and direct the reading, listening, and viewing of their own minor children.
Responsibility for Selection and Management
The Library Director is responsible for the selection and management of materials, who operates within the framework of policies determined by the Board of Trustees. The Director may delegate this function to qualified Library staff members. Any material so selected or removed from the collection shall be held to be selected or removed by the Everett Public Library Board of Trustees.
Materials Selection and Maintenance
Materials are selected for the collection based on criteria in the Library’s Collection Management Guidelines. Materials are provided in various print, audio, visual, and electronic formats. No materials that meet the Library’s selection criteria shall be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of the author or those contributing to its creation. Selection of materials and resources does not mean endorsement of the content.
Collection Maintenance
The collection is reviewed and evaluated on an ongoing basis. The Library may discard materials based on criteria in the Collection Management Guidelines. Discarded materials are disposed of according to Washington State law.
Purchase Suggestions and Gifts
The Library is responsive to suggestions for titles and subjects to be included in the collection when these requests meet selection criteria. Remaining requests may be met through resource sharing with other libraries (Interlibrary Loan).
The Library may accept gifts of books and other materials with the understanding that they will be added to the collection only if they meet the same selection criteria applied to purchased materials. If they do not meet the selection criteria, the Library may dispose of them as allowed by Washington State law. The Library cannot appraise the value of donated materials, but can provide an acknowledgement of the receipt of items if requested.
Requests for Reconsideration
The Board of Trustees recognizes the right of individuals to ask questions and share feedback about materials in the Library’s collection. A patron with questions or feedback is encouraged to talk to Library staff.
If a patron wishes to request a formal reconsideration of an item in the collection and is a resident of the City of Everett (the service area of Everett Public Library), they may complete and submit a Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form. Materials under reconsideration will remain available to patrons until a determination has been made. The Assistant Director of Collections and Circulation Services will respond with a written decision within 30 days of receiving a completed Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials form.
If a customer wishes to appeal the Request for Reconsideration decision, they may submit an appeal in writing within 45 days of the Request for Reconsideration decision. The Library Director, to whom the Board of Trustees has delegated operations authority, will respond with a written final decision within 30 days of receiving an appeal. All appeals will be shared with the Board of Trustees.
Any decision on a title, whether after the initial reconsideration process or appeal, will stand for a two-year period from the date of the library’s initial receipt of the reconsideration request form.
Related Policies and Laws
First Amendment of the Constitution of the United States
Library trustees – Organization – Bylaws – Powers and duties. Washington State RCW 27.12.210
Disposal of obsolete or surplus reading materials – procedures. Washington State RCW 39.33.070
American Library Association Code of Ethics
American Library Association Core Values of Librarianship
Approved by Board of Trustees
Everett Public Library: 6/15/2010
Revised: 6/18/2025