Collection

The Beaver County Pioneer Library believes strong libraries make strong families and therefore strong communities. We believe everyone has the freedom to read, and a variety of formats, styles and subjects must be available to meet those needs. Therefore the following policies are set forth for choosing materials, both print and non-print.

All materials will be chosen as budget constraints allow. Priority will be given to materials that balance the viewpoint (or genres) currently in the collection and to Oklahoma authors. With the exception of filmstrips, all materials will be accepted as gift materials that meet the established criteria. (See Appendix A.)

Adult Print Materials

Fiction materials are selected based on the author’s previous demand within our library, good reviews from two (2) sources listed below, or current demand from at least six (6) patrons. High demand authors will be purchased in trade (hardback) editions or library editions; exceptionally low demand authors will be purchased as paperback. Exceptions will be made for Oklahoma authors who only publish in paperback edition.

Non-fiction: New non-fiction material will be selected according to the needs of the county, as current issues demand, according to the New York Times Bestseller List, and as public- and home-school needs arise. Other criteria for selection are the same as for fiction titles.

Review Sources

  • Professional librarians
  • Review journals
  • New York Times Bestseller List
  • Knowledgeable Patrons
  • Magazines and Serial Publications

Magazines and serial publications will be purchased both for the public and for librarian use only. Those purchased for the exclusive use of the librarians will include professional journals and materials selection tools (review journals). Magazines purchased for the public should fall into one or more of the following categories: a) current issues and/or news, b) craft and/or art, c) technology, d) health, e) family, f) sports, and g) inspiration.

Large print materials will be selected using the same criteria as for adult fiction or non-fiction.

Non-Print Materials

Audiotapes: Cassette audio books will be chosen using the same criteria as adult fiction and non-fiction materials. Audio music cassettes will not be purchased due to changes in technology. Books on CD-ROM will be accepted as donations. Whenever available, music cassettes will be purchased in CD-ROM format, based on patron demand and/or awards won.

Videotapes: Videotapes will be purchased in VHS format, based on awards won for motion pictures. For non-fiction, other criteria will be the same as for adult non-fiction. Adult videos are defined as those with a PG (Parental Guidance Suggested) rating or higher, or those non-rated that deal with subject matter parents or other adults may consider inappropriate for juvenile viewers.

Kits are materials that combine a variety of media, including but not limited to print, audio, cd, and video. Adult kits will meet the criteria for adult non-fiction.

Electronic media such as computer software or CDs will be purchased based on the same criteria as adult non-fiction. Electronic books will not be purchased until patron demand necessitates doing so.

Art: Art will be accepted as gift materials, or displayed on behalf of the Beaver County Art Club.

Maps, globes, posters, and etc. will be purchased as current materials are outdated, changes occur in political/geographical world situations, or are worn beyond repair.

Filmstrips: Due to changes in technology, adult filmstrips will no longer be purchased or accepted as gift materials.

Juvenile Print Materials

Fiction: Juvenile fiction will be purchased based on reviews from two of the aforementioned review sources, awards won, or demand from at least six (6) patrons. Except for budget constraints or Oklahoma authors, all fiction books will be purchased in trade (hardback) or library binding.

Non-fiction: Juvenile non-fiction books will be purchased based on the same criteria as for adult non-fiction, with the emphasis on balancing the current collection. Special consideration will be given to award-winning material.

Juvenile Non-Print Materials

Audiotapes: Juvenile audio books will be chosen based on the same criteria as juvenile print fiction and non-fiction books. Whenever available, music will be purchased in CD-ROM format.

Video Tapes: Juvenile video tapes will be purchased in VHS format, for educational and entertainment purposes. Selection criteria will be the same as for adult videos. Juvenile videos are defined as those having a “G” (General Audience) rating, or subject matter suitable for all ages.

Kits: Juvenile kits are as defined under Adult Kits, and will meet the criteria for either juvenile fiction or non-fiction materials

Electronic Media: Electronic media such as computer software or cds will be selected based on the same criteria as juvenile fiction and non-fiction. Like adult electronic book, juvenile electronic books will not be purchased until patron demand necessitates doing so.

Gift Materials

Gifts to the library are appreciated. Money for purchase of materials will be accepted only with the understanding that the Library exercises the final responsibility for deciding which materials will be purchased. Gift funds will be spent on titles that the library could not otherwise afford. Whenever possible, the librarian will consult with the donor to ensure a mutually satisfying selection.

Gifts of materials will be accepted with the understanding that the materials will be evaluated according to the current library needs, using the same criteria as for new materials. Gifts of mass-market paperback books will be evaluated as to the needs of the collection, as determined by the criteria for adult and juvenile fiction and non-fiction. The materials will then be assigned to the collection or the paperback exchange shelf, offered for sale to the public at the Friends of the Library book sales, or discarded. The library does not evaluate or appraise gifts for income tax purposes. A receipt will be given for money donated or for the number of books donated.

Guidelines for Library Gifts

Gifts are meant to enhance and upgrade library collections. Using the proceeds from the sale of donated items for the purchase of new materials or other library needs can do this. Occasionally, a special gift may be needed to meet a specific library need.

When deciding to enter used items into the collection, please carefully consider the following:

  • Physical condition of the item
  • Is it dirty? Don’t keep it.
  • Is it complete? Please check for missing or torn pages, pictures, cassettes, etc.
  • How long will it last? Has it been repaired before?
    Rebinding is expensive and the cost must be taken from the materials budget. Hardback books should last 15-20 circulations before needing repair and paperbacks 5-10.
  • Age of the item is important!
  • Fiction
  • Newer paperbacks may be more attractive to patrons than older hardback books.
  • The value of Non-fiction: decreases exponentially after five years.
  • Paperbacks: wet, hot, or otherwise damaged? Pages yellowed or loose? Look for indicators of damage.
  • Do we already own it?

Check the automated card catalog before deciding to donate the book. If we own it please ask a librarian if we need more copies. No? Is it worth the cost of processing the book? Staff time for cataloging, processing, shelving, etc. costs the library, even when the book doesn’t. Is this book truly public library material? Could a research library or perhaps the public-school library use the material better?

Thank you for your gift to our library. Our staff appreciates your remembering our needs when determining your donation. Please remember that once you have donated the material to us, it belongs to the library. The librarians will decide the best use of the material for our library.

Challenged Materials

Occasionally someone will disagree with a book or other material selected by the librarian. Everyone has the right to disagree agreeably. If a patron challenges a specific item, the library will follow these established guidelines.

The patron will be asked to fill out and return within two weeks the “Challenged Materials Review.”

The librarian will subsequently have two weeks to review the material. The librarian will then read the completed “Challenged Materials Review” and have an additional week to meet with the patron to try and diffuse any misunderstandings.

If an agreement cannot be reached between the librarian and the patron, the Library Board will then have thirty days (30) to review the material and meet with the patron.

If an agreement cannot be reached between the Library Board of Directors and the patron, the matter will be referred to the County Commissioners of Beaver County, Oklahoma, with an additional thirty days (30) for them to review the material before meeting with the Library Board of Directors and the patron.