Materials Selection/Collection Development Policy
(For all italicized print see page 7 for the exact wording of 15 CSR 30-200.015 Library Certification
Requirement for the Protection of Minors)
The purpose of the Mercer County Library is to provide all individuals in the community
with carefully selected books and other materials to aid the individual in the pursuit of
education, information, research, pleasure, and the creative use of leisure time.
Because of the volume of publishing, as well as the limitations of budget and space, the
library must have a selection policy with which to meet community interests and needs. The
materials selection/collection development policy is used by the library staff in the selection
of materials and serves to acquaint the public with the principles of selection. Selections will
be made and placed in the correct section according to their content and age appropriation.
(See Appropriateness by age of materials for selection guidelines, these guidelines are a
recommendation). Aligned to Administrative Rule 15 CSR 30-200.015 (A) The Library Bill of
Rights and The Freedom to Read Statement have been endorsed by the Mercer County
Library Board of Trustees and are integral parts of the policy. The materials
selection/collection development policy, like all other policies, will be reviewed and/or
revised as the need arises.
Responsibility for Selection
The ultimate responsibility for selection of library materials rests with the library director
who operates within the framework of the policies determined by the Mercer County Public
Library Board of Trustees. This responsibility may be shared with other members of the
library staff; however, because the director must be available to answer to the library board
and the public for actual selections made, the director has the authority to reject or select any
item contrary to the recommendations of the staff.
Appropriateness by Age of Materials selected for Youth
Library collections for patrons 18 and under have always been split into 3 different
collections. These collections are marked with “E” for easy, “J” for juvenile and a “YA” for
young adults. Books located in the “E” collection are intended for ages birth to 2 nd grade, the
“J” collection are intended for grades 3 rd through 8 th , and the “YA” collection are intended for
9 th grade and above. In alien to Administrative Rule 15 CSR 30-200.015 (A)
Criteria for Selection
1. The main points considered in the selection of materials are:
? a. individual merit of each item
? b. popular appeal/demand
? c. suitability of material for the clientele
? d. existing library holdings
? e. budget
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Potential Problems or Challenges
The Mercer County Library recognizes that some materials are controversial and that any
given item may offend some patrons. Selection of materials will not be made based on
anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely based on the principles stated in this policy.
Responsibility for the reading of children rests with their parents or legal guardians.
Selection of library materials will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may come
into the possession of children Aligned to Administrative Rule 15 CSR 30-200.015 (C). Library
materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their contents,
and no library material will be sequestered except to protect it from damage or theft.
Challenged Materials, Programs, or Displays
Although materials, presentation, and displays are carefully selected, there can arise
differences of opinion regarding suitable materials, presentations, events or displays.
Patrons who live in Mercer County and carry a current library card, requesting that
materials, presentations, events, or displays be withdrawn from or restricted within the
collection or library may complete in full a "Statement of Concern About Library Resources"
form which is available in the library. Aligned to Administrative Rule 15 CSR 30-200.015
(D,E,F)
The inquiry will be placed on the agenda of the next regular meeting of the Mercer County
Library Board of Trustees.
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Statement of Concern about Library Resources Form
The suitability of books, presentations, events, displays or other materials for the library
collection may occasionally be questioned by individuals or groups. Patrons are free to enjoy,
dislike, or ignore any item in the collection, any program presented by the library, or any display
at the library. The library does not endorse opinions contained in its materials, programs, or
displays. Aligned to Administrative Rule 15 CSR 30-200.015 (C,D,F).
The library believes that censorship is purely an individual matter and declares that while
anyone is free to reject materials, programs, or displays for him/herself, that individual cannot
exercise this right of censorship to restrict the freedom of other persons to any materials,
programs, or displays. A request to remove library materials, programs, and displays creates
complex legal and ethical questions for both the library and the community. Consequently, this
issue is taken very seriously by the library and will be viewed objectively and as an important
matter.
Request to withdraw an item, presentations, events, or display—if a request is presented the
material, presentation, event, or display in question will be reviewed in its entirety, meaning
passages will not be taken out of context. Materials, presentations, events, or displays being
reviewed will not be removed from circulation, presentations or events will not be canceled, and
displays will not be disassembled until a decision has been made. For your request for review,
you must be a registered card holder of the Mercer County Library and a resident of Mercer
County. This form must be filled out by an individual, not a group. The form must be filled out
completely and signed. Aligned to Administrative Rule 15 CSR 30-200.015 (C,D,F)
If you wish to request reconsideration of library materials, presentations, events, or displays,
please complete the form below and return it to: Library Director, Mercer County Library, 601
W. Grant, Princeton, MO 64673.
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Form of material (e.g., book, DVD, audio etc.)
______________________________________________________________________________
Title__________________________________________________________________________
Author/Producer________________________________________________________________
Did you read, view, or listen to the entire work? _____ Yes _____ No
If not, why, or why not? __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
What would you like us to do with this material?
_____ Withdraw it from the collection.
_____ Reclassify (move) to another part of the library collection.
_____ other: ____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
In its place, what work would you recommend on this topic? ____________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Additional
comments:_____________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Date _________________ Name __________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________________________
Library Card Number ___________________________________________________________
Telephone Number ____________________ Email ____________________________________
5
Presentation:
Name of Presentation:
______________________________________________________________________________
Why would you like this presentation canceled________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Additional comments: ___________________________________________________________
Date _________________ Name __________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________________________
Library Card Number ___________________________________________________________
Telephone Number ____________________ Email ____________________________________
Event:
Name or nature of the event _______________________________________________________
Why would you like the event removed from the library?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Additional comments: ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
6
Date _________________ Name __________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________________________
Library Card Number ___________________________________________________________
Telephone Number ____________________ Email ____________________________________
Display:
Name or nature of the display___________________________________________________
Why would you like the display removed from the library?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Additional comments: ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
Date _________________ Name __________________________________________________
Address ______________________________________________________________________
Library Card Number ___________________________________________________________
Telephone Number ____________________ Email ____________________________________
………………………………………………………………………………………………………
For Library Use Only
Date received:
Date Item was added.
Number of times circulated.
Title 15—ELECTED OFFICIALS
7
Division 30—Secretary of State
Chapter 200—State Library
PROPOSED RULE
15 CSR 30-200.015 Library Certification Requirement for the Protection of Minors
PURPOSE: For the protection of minors defined in 15 CSR 30-200.030(1)(E), this rule establishes a certification
requirement for any library defined in 15 CSR 30-200.010 that receives funds pursuant to 15 CSR 30-200.020 and 15
CSR 30-200.025.
(1) Notwithstanding any provision of 15 CSR 30-200.020 and 15 CSR 30-200.025 to the contrary, the
state librarian shall not distribute any funds to any library defined in 15 CSR 30-200.010 that receives
funds pursuant to 15 CSR 30-200.020 and 15 CSR 30-200.025 unless such library certifies in writing
each of the following:
* (A) The library has or will adopt a written, publicly-accessible collection development policy addressing
how selections are made in considering the appropriateness by age of any minor, as defined in 15 CSR
30-200.030;
(B) No funds received shall be used to purchase or acquire material that constitutes “child pornography,”
is “pornographic for minors,” or is “obscene,” as those terms are defined in section 573.010, RSMo;
**(C) The library has or will adopt a written, publicly-accessible policy allowing a minor’s parent or
guardian to determine what materials and access will be available to that minor, and no person employed
by or acting on behalf of the library shall knowingly grant access to a minor to any material in any form not
approved by that minor’s parent or guardian;
***(D) No age-inappropriate materials in any form, as defined in the library’s collection development
policy, shall be knowingly displayed in the library in areas designated by the library as containing
materials predominantly for minors;
***(E) No event or presentation shall be held at the library without an age-appropriate designation affixed
to any publication, website, or advertisement for such event or presentation; and
***(F) The library has or will adopt a written, publicly-accessible library materials challenge policy by which
any parent or guardian of a minor within the library district may dispute or challenge the library’s age-
appropriate designation affixed to any presentation, event, material, or display in the library, and the
results of any such dispute or challenge shall be disclosed to the public and published on the library’s
website.
(2) The library shall submit a copy of its written policies to the state librarian annually by July 31, and shall
submit, within thirty (30) days, any revisions to such policies to the state librarian.
AUTHORITY: sections 181.021, 181.060, and 182.812, RSMo 2016. Original rule filed Oct. 14, 2022.
PUBLIC COST: This proposed rule will not cost state agencies or political subdivisions more than five
hundred dollars ($500) in the aggregate.
PRIVATE COST: This proposed rule will not cost private entities more than five hundred dollars ($500) in
the aggregate.
NOTICE TO SUBMIT COMMENTS: Anyone may file a statement in support of or in opposition to this
proposed rule with the Office of the Missouri Secretary of State, PO Box 1767, Jefferson City, MO 65102
or by email to comments@sos.mo.gov with the proposed rule number (i.e., 15 CSR 30-200.015) in the
subject line. To be considered, all comments must be received within thirty (30) days after publication of
this notice in the Missouri Register. No public hearing is scheduled.
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NEW LIBRARY USERS
A library card will only be issued to new users that fill out a library registration card, have proof
of residency (for example a utility bill) and a local reference, preferably someone with an active
library account. New library users are not automatically placed in the system; library
registrations are kept on file for up to one year and then disposed of.
New users will be limited to the number of books and materials that they can check out. For the
first three months 2 items may be checked out, nothing new. For the next 3 months 4 items may
be checked out, again nothing new. No ILL books will be ordered until the patron has proven
that they can return materials in a timely manner then all restrictions are lifted. Applicants under
17 years of age must have a parent or guardian give their consent on the application form
before a new card can be issued. Aligned to Administrative Rule 15 CSR 30-200.015 (C)
(Approved 6/12/2023)
Checkout Procedures for children 17 and under
The library staff does not monitor what anyone checks out. We will help with selections or
guide you to the appropriate section if asked. When children checkout materials, their
selection choices must be monitored by the parent or guardian. The library is not
responsible for their selections. Aligned to Administrative Rule 15 CSR 30-200.015 (C).
MEETING ROOM
The meeting room will be used for library functions and may be reserved for civic and
educational purposes. Exceptions may be made by the Library Board if the Board deems.
extenuating circumstances are involved. The fact that a group is permitted to meet in the library
meeting room does not in any way constitute an endorsement of the group’s policies or beliefs by
the library staff or Board. It is understood that library programming will have priority in room
use.
There will be no charge for the use of the meeting room. No admission may be charged by the
individual/group, nor may the individual/group make any profit from the meeting. A responsible
adult must act as host for such meetings to see that the room is left clean, orderly, and locked; if
not the individual/group will be given notice that continued offense will result in denied access to
the meeting room. Refreshments may be served and shall be provided by the individual or
group. No smoking is allowed. Items other than library property may be left in the meeting room
at the discretion of the director. The library is not responsible for any equipment, supplies,
materials, or any other items brought to the library by any individual or group attending the
meeting. If the use of the room is promoted in any way (Flyer, Facebook, newspaper ad or
radio), there must be an age disclaimer attached with the promotion according to Administrative
Rule 15 CSR 30-200.015 (E). The Library Board and staff do not assume any liability for
individuals or groups attending the meeting in the library.
APPROVED (6/12/2023)
