Policies

Issued/Reviewed: October 12, 2001
Revised: March 9, 2009

Purpose

The purpose of the policy below is to provide direction to the selectors of Library material and to inform the public of the policy underpinning the selection of this material.  

1. MISSION STATEMENT

Building a strong Ottawa community by supporting literacy and lifelong learning, fostering inspiration and enjoyment, and connecting people to each other and the world.  

2. COLLECTIONS GOAL

In pursuit of the mission statement, the Ottawa Public Library will provide, in both English and French, customer driven and customer focussed collections. Collections are accessible to all of the people of Ottawa no matter where they reside. The Ottawa Public Library is one system with one collection.  

3. INTELLECTUAL FREEDOM

The Ottawa Public Library adheres to the following statements on intellectual freedom:

Canadian Library Association Statement on Intellectual Freedom:

All persons in Canada have the fundamental right, as embodied in the nation's Bill of Rights and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, to have access to all expressions of knowledge, creativity and intellectual activity, and to express their thoughts publicly. This right to intellectual freedom, under the law, is essential to the health and development of Canadian society

Libraries have a basic responsibility for the development and maintenance of intellectual freedom.

It is the responsibility of libraries to guarantee and facilitate access to all expressions of knowledge and intellectual activity, including those which some elements of society may consider to be unconventional, unpopular or unacceptable. To this end, libraries shall acquire and make available the widest variety of materials.

It is the responsibility of libraries to guarantee the right of free expression by making available all the library's public facilities and services to all individuals and groups who need them.
Libraries should resist all efforts to limit the exercise of these responsibilities while recognizing the right of criticism by individuals and groups.

Both employees and employers in libraries have a duty, in addition to their institutional responsibilities, to uphold these principles.

Ontario Library Association Statement on the Intellectual Rights of the Individual:
In affirming its commitment to the fundamental rights of intellectual freedom, the freedom to read and freedom of the press, as embodied in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the Ontario Library Association declares its acceptance of the following propositions:

1. That the provision of library service to the public is based upon the right of the citizen, under the protection of the law, to judge individually on questions of politics, religion and morality.
2. That intellectual freedom requires freedom to examine other ideas and other interpretations of life than those currently approved by the local community or by society in general, and including those ideas and interpretations which may be unconventional or unpopular.
3. That freedom of expression includes freedom for a creator to depict what is ugly, shocking and unedifying in life.
4. That free traffic in ideas and opinions is essential to the health and growth of a free society and that the freedom to read, listen and view is fundamental to such free traffic.
5. That it is the responsibility of libraries to maintain the right of intellectual freedom and to implement it consistently in the selection of books, periodicals, films, recordings, other materials, and in the provision of access to electronic sources of information, including access to the Internet.
6. That it is therefore part of the library's service to its public to resist any attempt by any individual or group within the community it serves to abrogate or curtail access to information, the freedom to read, view and listen by demanding the removal of, or restrictions to library information sources in any format.
7. That it is equally part of the library's responsibility to its public to ensure that its selection of material is not unduly influenced by the personal opinions of the selectors, but determined by the application of generally accepted standards of accuracy, style and presentation.

4. RESPONSIBILITY AND SELECTION

Responsibility for selection and maintenance of the collection rests with the City Librarian and Chief Executive Officer, and it is thus her decision what is ordered and what remains in the collection. This decision-making is delegated to staff except in the case of titles that may be extremely contentious.

5. ACCESS

The Board believes that persons in a democratic society can make informed judgements only when they have free and open access to comprehensive information. Access to library collections is not restricted by age. Responsibility for the use of the collection by children rests with their parents or legal guardians.
 

6. CRITERIA FOR SELECTION

• Relationship of subject to existing collection
• Public demand
• Importance of subject matter in relation to community needs
• Timeliness and/or permanence
• Suitability of subject, style, and reading level for intended audience
• Authority or significance of author
• Quality of writing, production, and illustration
• Authority and standards of publisher
• Recommendations by critics or reviewers
• Suitability of format for library use
• Availability of materials through other libraries or institutions
• Canadian content
• Purchase price and other budgetary considerations

Items need not meet all criteria to be acceptable. The presence of a book, periodical or other material in the Library does not indicate an endorsement of its content.

7. SUGGESTIONS TO PURCHASE

Every attempt will be made to respond to public suggestions for purchase of books or other materials, in accordance with the Library’s Materials Selection Policy.

8. UNSOLICITED DONATIONS OF MATERIALS

For addition to the collection, gifts and donations must meet the general selection guidelines. Tax receipts are not issued for donations of materials.

9. REQUESTS FOR RECONSIDERATION

Individuals who object to materials in the collection may express their concern by filling out a ‘Request for Reconsideration of Library Material’ form. The final decision concerning Library materials rests with the City Librarian and Chief Executive Officer.

10. COLLECTION MAINTENANCE

The Library maintains a policy of on-going deselection based upon the elimination of unnecessary items, outdated materials, materials no longer of interest or in demand, duplicates, worn or damaged copies. Frequency of circulation, community or regional interest and availability of newer and more up-to-date materials are of prime consideration.

11. POLICY REVIEW

The Board shall review this policy in conjunction with regular strategic planning.