Walhalla Public Library Mission Statement
The Walhalla Public Library seeks to be the “heart” of the community and the surrounding areas. The library envisions that it will fulfill its unique role as a major contributor to the cultural and social development of our community. In fulfilling this mission, our library will continue to acquire and maintain adequate information resources, offer effective instructions on the retrieval and use of materials in all formats, and continue to provide technology for our patrons. The library also aspires to assist the community, by developing innovative approaches to supporting life-long learning, entertainment and social values. We are committed to providing all persons equal access to its employment programs, services, and facilities without regard to age, race, color, creed, religion, veteran status, national origin, sexual orientation, marital, familial, gender identity, political ideology, ancestry, or the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability.
To access a policy click on the link below.
Collection Development Policy
Collection Development Policy
Introduction
Collection development at Walhalla Public Library is founded on the principles of intellectual freedom, diversity and equal access for all. The library provides a collection that strives to balance viewpoints across a broad spectrum of opinions and subjects in formats suitable to a variety of learning and recreational interests and skills. Using selection practices that are flexible and responsive to the changing needs of the community, the library builds and maintains collection for the general public while recognizing the needs of special population groups.
This policy is a statement of principles set forth by the Walhalla Public Library Board. It serves as a guide for the library staff in developing the collection of print, audio, technological and other materials intended to meet the community’s information, entertainment, and interpersonal wants and needs. The policy provides a basis for collection development, weeding, and public objection to materials. Budget limitations necessitate the selection of materials relevant to these needs.
Responsibility for Selection
Ultimate responsibility for the direction, purpose, and scope of collection development rests with the Library Director, under the authority of the Walhalla Public Library Board. The Director may delegate library collection development responsibilities to specific library staff members who more closely manage the wide range of services related to particular areas of the collection. All aspects of collection development are directed toward fulfilling the mission of the Walhalla Public Library.
The community has a role in shaping the library collection development through suggestions and feedback. Suggestions from members of the community concerning materials selection are welcome and each suggestion will be considered within the framework of this policy. Appropriate forms are available at the front desk.
Materials selected for the library collection are intended to meet the current and future educational, informational, recreational, and cultural needs of the residents of the library’s service area. The emphasis will be on acquiring materials of wide-ranging interest to the general public within budgetary limitations. Materials unavailable at this Library but available through cooperative library networks will be borrowed upon request of the user.
Criteria for Selection of Physical and Digital Materials
Materials are evaluated according to one or more of the following criteria; however, an item need not meet all of these criteria in order to be included in the Library’s collection:
▪ Current and anticipated needs and interests of the community
▪ Permanence or timeliness of the work
▪ Authoritativeness and/or standing and reputation of the author/artist/composer/producer
▪ Group and individual social significance
▪ Format
▪ Price and/or availability of funds
▪ Importance of subject matter
▪ Contemporary significance: i.e. attention of critics, reviewers and the public
▪ Date of publication
▪ Relationship to existing collection
▪ Availability elsewhere in the community, area, or region
The Library will endeavor to provide a wide range of subjects, authors, and points of view. The inclusion of an item in the library collection in no way represents an endorsement of its contents. Library materials are not marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of the contents, nor are materials sequestered.
The Library recognizes that many materials are controversial and that any given item may offend some. It is the responsibility of each individual library user to determine which materials are most appropriate for their needs and consistent with their personal or family values. Although library users are free to reject for themselves materials of which they do not approve, they may not restrict the freedom of others to read what they choose.
The Library encourages individual and parental oversight in the choice of materials, databases or internet usage. Adult responsibility for children’s reading rests with parents or legal guardians. Materials selection for the adult collection is intended for mature readers, and will not be restricted by the possibility that children or young adults may obtain materials which their parents or legal guardian consider inappropriate.
Materials Withdrawal
Materials withdrawal is an important aspect of collection development. Materials may be withdrawn if they are physically worn out or damaged, infrequently used, or no longer current.
Reconsideration of Library Materials
Any Walhalla Public Library cardholder residing in Pembina County may request that an item in the library’s collection be reviewed to ensure it complies with the Library’s Collection Development Policy. The library patron must complete the WPL Request for Reconsideration form and read the library’s Collection Development Policy, available at the library service desk and on the library website. Upon completion, the form should be sent to the Library Director.
Please note that the library patron seeking review must read, view, or listen to the entirety of the work before requesting reconsideration of library material and should also read the library’s Collection Development Policy.
The completed Request for Reconsideration will be reviewed by the Library Director to determine whether retention of the item would be in violation of the Collection Development Policy in its entirety. The Director will notify the patron in writing of the decision within 30 days of receipt of the request.
Should the library patron believe that the Director’s decision is not supported by the Library’s Collection Development Policy, the library patron may appeal the decision in writing to the Library Board within 30 days of receipt of the Director’s decision. Such an appeal shall not exceed two pages and should include copies of the original Request for Reconsideration Form and the Director’s written response. The Library Board will reconsider the decision based on whether or not the particular item conforms to the Board-approved Collection Development Policy. The Library Board shall then make the final determination of the matter, notifying the library patron in writing within 30 days of receipt of the appeal. This decision will be final.
The completed decision on reconsideration of a specific title shall remain in effect for three years and that title will not be reconsidered again during that time.
No works in question will be added to or removed from the collection or from the library shelves and no changes in service or policy will be made while the above process is underway.
Gifts and Donations
Unconditional gifts, donations, and contributions to the library are encouraged and may be accepted by the Library Director on behalf of the Walhalla Public Library Board. Those items donated may be added to the collection or donated to the Friends of the Library. No old, damaged, or musty materials will be accepted.
Guiding Documents
American Library Association’s Bill of Rights American Library Association’s Freedom to Read American Library Association’s Freedom to View
Approved by the WPL Board 11/30/23
Walhalla Public Library 