Materials Selection Policy

The Chicago Heights Public Library is a member of Reaching Across Illinois Library System (RAILS), System Wide Automated Network (SWAN), and OCLC Worldshare. Chicago Heights Public Library utilizes an interlibrary loan system to meet patrons’ material requests when budgetary constraints or limited appeal prohibits addition of these items to the collection.

Authority

The responsibility for the selection of materials is delegated to the Executive Director or their designee. No employee will be disciplined for the selection of library materials when the selection is made in good faith.

Selection Guidelines

Materials are added to the Library’s collection using the following criteria:

• Authenticity of information
• Authority of author
• Current and historical significance
• Relevance to community interest and needs
• Patron demands
• Physical features and format
• Price and availability
• Professional judgement
• Critical reviews and selection sources

Withdrawal of Materials

The Library’s holdings are continually evaluated by the professional staff to maintain a useful collection that meets the needs of the community. Decisions for removal are based on accepted professional practices as described in the CREW Manual. Withdrawn materials may be discarded, sold, given to local philanthropic, educational, cultural, governmental, or other not-for-profit organizations.

Donations and Gifts

The Library’s professional staff will evaluate all donated items. If an item is not needed or is considered inappropriate for the collection, the staff will decide on how to dispose of it. Monetary gifts may be designated for the purchase of particular materials at the request of the donor but must adhere to the collection policy guidelines.

Historical Collection

Items for the Local History Collection must be:

• In good condition AND
• An original, unique, and/or exceptional example of an item connected to Chicago Heights or its history OR
• Represent a historic event in the city of Chicago Heights OR
• Locally made in Chicago Heights OR
• Attached to a person of significance to Chicago Heights OR
• An architectural fragment of historical Chicago Heights structures.

Censorship

The Board of Trustees believes that all individuals have the right to choose which library materials they will use. However, no one has the right to restrict the freedom of others to read whatever they wish. The Library selects appropriate materials for each age group. The responsibility of monitoring usage by minors rests with the parent or legal guardian. There are no age restrictions on the borrowing of library materials.

Challenge to Library Materials

The Chicago Heights Public Library subscribes to the provisions of the Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read Statement, and the Freedom to View Statement as adopted by the American Library Association. These documents are considered to be a part of this policy. No book or item will be immediately removed from the collection because of an objection. Reading materials should not be removed or restricted because of partisan or personal disapproval. Rather, any Chicago Heights resident that objects to an item in the Library’s collection is invited to complete a Materials Reconsideration form. Requests for reconsideration must be in writing.

Once a Materials Reconsideration form is referred to the Executive Director,

• The Executive Director will meet with the professional staff in the appropriate department to review the complaint and the original reasons for inclusion in the collection.
• The Executive Director will notify the Board of Trustees of the complaint and the recommendation of professional staff.
• The Executive Director will respond to the complainant.
• If the complainant is not satisfied, they may appeal to the Board of Trustees.
• The Board of Trustees may hold a hearing at their next regularly scheduled meeting. Any decision made at that time will be considered binding.

Adopted 04/2010

Revised 10/2023