The purpose of this Policy on book selection is to guide in the selection of materials and to inform the public about the principles upon which selections are made. This statement was approved and adopted on June 5, 1984, by the Bullitt County Public Library Board with assumes full responsibility for all legal actions which may result from the implementation of any policies stated herein.

The aim of the Bullitt County Public Library is service to all people. This encompasses individuals and groups of every age, education, philosophy, occupation, economic level, ethnic origin and human condition. Fulfilling the education, informational and recreational needs of these people is the Bullitt County Public Library's broad purpose. More specifically, it helps people to keep up with change in all areas, educate themselves continually, become better members of their family and community, become socially and politically aware, be more capable in their occupations, develop their literature and art, contribute to the overall expanse of knowledge, and stimulate their own personal social well-being. All printed and non-printed materials are selected by this Library in accordance with these basic objectives.

General Criteria:

1. Suitability of physical form for library use.

2. Suitability of subject and style of intended audience.

3. Present and potential relevance to community needs.

4. Appropriateness and effectiveness of medium to content.

5. Insight into human and social condition.

6. Importance as a document of the times.

7. Relation to existing collection and other material on subject.

8. Reputation and or significance of author.

9. Skill, competence and purpose of author.

10.Attention of critics, reviewer and public.

Specific Criteria for the Evaluation of Works of Information and Opinion:

1. Authority.

2. Comprehensiveness and depth of treatment.

3. Objectivity.

4. Clarity, accuracy and logic of presentation.

Specific Criteria for the Evaluation of Works of Imagination:

1. Representation of important movement, genre, trend, or national cultures.

2. Vitality and originality.

3. Artistic presentation.

4. Sustained interest.

5. Effective characterization.

6. Authenticity of historical or social setting.

Final responsibility for selection of books and library materials is and shall be vested in the Director. Any books and library materials so selected shall be held to be selected by the Board.

The selection of library books and materials is predicated on the library patron's right to read, and similarly, his freedom from censorship by others. Many books are controversial and any given item may offend some persons. Selections for this Library will not, however, be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the merits of the material in relation to the building of the collection and to serving the interests of the readers. This Library holds censorship to be a purely individual matter and declares that -- while anyone is free to reject for himself books and other materials of which he does not approve -- he cannot exercise this right to censorship to restrict the freedom of others.

With respect to the use of library materials by children., the decision as to what a minor may read is the responsibility of his parent or guardian. Selection will not be inhibited by the possibility that books may inadvertently come into the possession of minors.

Reconsideration of material in collections is also a continuing process. Any patron who seriously requests reconsideration of materials should be given a "Request for Reconsideration of Library materials" form.

As soon as that form is completed by the patron, the Director shall evaluate the original reasons for the purchase and the book in question. The objections will be considered both in terms of the library's materials selection statement and the opinion of the various reviewing sources used in materials selection. The Director shall communicate his/her decision in writing, to the complainant.

If the complainant still feels that his objections have been met with inadequately, the matter will be placed before the Board of Trustees. The Director will provide each Board member with copies of the complaint, the Director's response, pertinent book reviews, and copies of the book being reconsidered (if enough can be borrowed). Each Board member shall notify the Director when he/she has finished reading the book and at the Board meeting after everyone is finished, the issue shall be put to a vote. Each Board member shall vote to retain or remove the book. Any member who is unable to attend that meeting, shall communicate his/her vote to the Chairman of the Board prior to that meeting. A simple majority will prevail. The Secretary of the Board will notify the complainant of its decision.