Mission Statement
The mission of the Southern Oklahoma Library System (SOLS) is to provide free, open and equal access to informational, educational, cultural, and recreational materials and services to all members of the communities served.
Introduction
The SOLS Board of Trustees, Director and library staff believe that the right to read and the right of free access to the library collections for all persons is essential to the intellectual freedom that is basic to democracy. Basic to the policy are the Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to View Statement, the Freedom to Read Statement and the Resolution In Support of Oklahoma Libraries. Copies of these documents are appended and made a part of the Collection Development Policy
Responsibility for Selection
The Library Director is ultimately responsible to the Board of Trustees for the selection and evaluation of materials. The director may delegate this responsibility to other qualified librarians or staff members.
All SOLS library personnel follow the Selection Criteria for purchasing materials. Reviews from professional sources, best seller lists, standard catalogs and other tools are utilized by all staff to make selections. Suggestions from customers will also be considered using the same criteria. These criteria will be used to assess gifts to the library and the eventual deselection of materials from the collection. These policies shall be reviewed periodically. Comments and suggestions concerning this policy may be submitted to the Library Director in writing.
Selection
The Southern Oklahoma Library System (SOLS) attempts to provide a comprehensive, representative, well balanced collection of general and specialized materials to meet the needs of the multiple communities served. Materials will be supplied to introduce customers to reading for pleasure and encourage lifelong learning. SOLS provides a balanced collection of materials determined by space, budget, local interests and current service priorities. Materials in all formats are chosen for the information, interests and entertainment needs of SOLS customers.
Collections maintained include those for children, teens and adults. Materials are purchased using the Selection Criteria outlined. All materials purchased are not intended for all library customers. Library personnel are available to help customers find items that are suitable for their interest and reading level. Supervision of a minor’s access to all library material, print or electronic, is the responsibility of the parent or legal guardian.
Selection Criteria
All acquisitions, purchased or donated, are considered in terms of the standards listed below. Some materials may not meet all criteria to be considered acceptable. All formats are evaluated on the following criteria:
- Community needs and interests
- Accuracy in content
- Favorable reviews in professional sources
- Qualifications or reputation of author, artist or publisher
- Literary merit and/or social significance
- Availability of funds
- Quality of product
- Suitability for intended audience
- Timeliness
- Balance in the collection
Requests made by library customers are welcome and will be considered for purchase. Multiple copies will be purchased to meet demand when budget allows.
Controversial Materials
SOLS staff selects materials on the basis of the total work. Some materials may be offensive or controversial to different customers or groups. However, inclusion in the library is not made on the basis of approval or disapproval by any group or individual. SOLS subscribes to the American Library Association (ALA) Library Bill of Rights and adheres to those principles outlined in the Freedom to Read, and Freedom to View Statements.
Materials are selected to insure and enhance a balanced and diverse collection that can be used by the different communities and individuals served by CRLS. Materials identified as classics and have literary merit are kept despite the fact that some content may be inappropriate by today’s standards. Materials will not be banned due to the views of the author, artist or publisher.
SOLS recognizes that while individuals are free to reject for themselves materials of which they do not approve, they cannot restrict the freedom of others.
If an individual or group questions a title in the collection, they may fill out the form, “Citizen’s Request for Reconsideration of a Book”. This form should be returned to the library. The Library System Director will review all forms and see that each customer receives an answer regarding any action taken. If the customer appeals the action, the Board of Trustees will be consulted.
Copyright
SOLS abides by the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code), which guarantees the intellectual property rights of authors.
Media owned and circulated by SOLS are for private use only and any other use including performance in public, in whole or in part is prohibited by law.