Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Memorial Library
Material Selection Policy
Objectives:
The Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Memorial Library, hereby listed as EGBM Library, endeavors to
provide all patrons with a balanced collection of carefully selected books and other materials to
aid the individual in the pursuit of self education, reliable information, research, pleasure, and
the creative use of leisure time. It is the library’s goal to cooperate with educational, civic,
cultural groups and organizations, and community members to promote the general welfare of
the community. Materials shall not be excluded based on the discrimination of any individual or
group.
Because of the volume of publishing, as well as the limitations of budget and space, the library
must have a Materials Selection Policy.
The Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement has been endorsed by the EGBM
Library and are an integral part of this policy.
Responsibility for Selection
The ultimate responsibility for the selection of library materials rests with the library director who
consistently operates within the framework of this policy as set by the EGBM Library Board of
Trustees.
Criteria for Selection
The main points to be considered in the selection of materials are:
● Reliability and accuracy of information
● The individual merit of each item
● Timeless and permanent value
● Integrity of author and publisher
● Popular appeal and/or demand
● Existing library holdings in this library and the existence of adequate coverage of
the subject within the Northern Waters and WISCAT system.
● Budget
● Suitability of material for the needs of the target audience.
● Good physical quality for all resources
Reviews are a major source of information about new materials. The primary sources of reviews
include, but are not limited to, Booklist, BookLooks, Clairmont Review, Kirkis, Library Journal,
Little Patriot Press, Publishers Weekly, Regenery, School Library Journal, Voice of Youth
Advocates (VOYA), award winners, and other balanced sources. The lack of a review shall not
be the sole reason when considering a new item into the collection. Materials are judged on the
work as a whole, and not a single part taken out of context.
Requests to Buy
The library welcomes patron requests for purchases and places a high priority on these
requests. All requests will be considered according to this policy. Should five or more patrons
request a certain book or resource, that item shall be purchased as requested. Patron requests
are limited to two requests per month and to requesting titles that have already been published.
Highest consideration will be given to requests for materials that are of local interest, prize
winners, bestsellers, items less than three years old, have illustrations, are in physical format,
and special features.
Interlibrary Loan
Because of limited budget and space, the library cannot provide all materials that are requested.
Therefore, interlibrary loan is used to obtain from other libraries those materials that are beyond
the scope of this library’s collection.
In return for utilizing interlibrary loan to satisfy the needs of our patrons, the Evelyn Goldberg
Briggs Memorial Library agrees to lend its material to other libraries through the same
interlibrary loan network, and to make an effort to have its current holdings listed on WISCAT, a
tool that is accessible by other libraries throughout the state.
Gifts and Donations
The library appreciates and accepts gifts of books and other materials that are in good to
excellent condition with the understanding that they will be added to the collection only if they
are needed and adhere to the Material Selection Policy.
Resource selection will be made by the library director if no specific resource is requested. Gifts and donations, like purchased
resources, will be removed from the collection at the end of their useful life.
By law the library is not allowed to appraise the value of donated materials, though it can
provide an acknowledgement of receipt of the items if requested by the donor.
Materials for Specific Audiences
When selecting materials for children, the library’s goal is to make available a collection that
satisfies their informational and recreational needs. Materials are selected which meet the
general needs of the majority of children. Materials whose qualities make them valuable to
children with special needs, talents, or interests are also considered.
Criteria for materials selections are the same as for adult and young adult materials with the
addition of vocabulary suitable to the age of the intended audience and quality of
illustrations in children’s fiction. Obscene works, as defined by Wisconsin state statutes will
not be purchased for children.
Materials for the visually impaired, such as large-print books, are acquired according to
patron demand. The library also encourages patrons with special needs to use the
resources of the National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped.
Challenge Procedures
The Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Memorial Library recognizes that some materials are controversial
and may offend some patrons.
● Parents or legal guardians have the right and responsibility to guide what their children
read, view, or listen to, and determine the appropriateness of the materials their children
may borrow.
● The library cannot restrict the freedom of patrons to borrow library materials in the
possibility that it may come into the possession of a minor.
● The library may supervise and guide children in the use of the library, along with parents
and guardians.
● The library will accommodate individual parent requests to restrict specific titles or
materials to one’s child.
● Library materials will not be marked or identified to show approval or disapproval of their
contents and no item will be sequestered except to protect it from damage or theft.
The EGBM Library has established procedures to ensure objective and fair consideration of
materials that are selected. Persons from the community wishing to recommend the removal or
reclassification of a particular item in the collection may submit a completed and signed
Reconsideration of Library Materials form which may be obtained from library staff during
business hours or printed from the library website.
The identity of the individual will be kept confidential within the library staff and the Board of
Trustees unless required by court order, however, anonymous forms will not be accepted.
*Reference: Wisconsin Public Records Law and Compliance Guide, Office of Open Government, Attorney
General Josh Kaul, 2019 Edition, and the Wisconsin Trustee Handbook TE15-1, and Wisconsin State
43.30 (1m), (2) (a-c).
We advise persons to read the Material Selection Policy thoroughly before submitting a
Reconsideration of Library Materials form.
Once the Reconsideration of Library Materials form has been received, the library director will
compile support documents within seven days to present to the patron issuing the complaint to
find a satisfactory resolution. The director will promptly notify the Board of Trustees of every
complaint, regardless of the outcome of the resolution.
If you are unable to resolve your concern, you may appeal the decision given to you by the
library director. Please indicate this intention to the director and your appeal will be placed on
the agenda at the next regular Board meeting.
The library director will give the Board of Trustees the form and all supporting paperwork for
their review, 10 days prior to the next regular meeting. The inquiry will be placed on the agenda
for that meeting. The Board of Trustees will read the material in question as a whole, and not
out of context. Discussion and any necessary action will be taken by the Board of Trustees at
the initial meeting or its subsequent.
The Board of Trustees reserves the right to limit the length of any presentation and the number
of speakers at the meeting. The material will be retained in the collection during the
reconsideration process.
An item will be considered for review once in a 12 month period unless there is a new concern
with the same book.
This Material Selection Policy and current versions of any applicable state statutes are available
to any community member upon request.
Reconsideration of Library Materials
The Board of Trustees of the EGBM Library has established a Materials Selection Policy. If you
would like the Board to reconsider any resource within our collection, please submit this signed,
completed form to the library staff or mailed to the address listed below. The procedure for
reconsideration is explained in our Material Selection Policy which will be given to you upon
request.
Evelyn Goldberg Briggs Memorial Library
68235 S. Main St.
P. O. Box 145
Iron River, WI 54847
Date__________________________
Name_________________________
Address________________________
City______________ State/Zip_________________
Phone_____________ Email_____________________
Resource on which you are commenting:
___Book (e-Book) ___Movie ______Magazine ______ Audio Recording
___Digital Resource ___Game ____Newspaper ____Other
Title_________________________________________________________________________
Author/Producer_______________________________________________________________
Have you examined the entire resource? If not, what sections did you review?
____________________________________________________________________________
What concerns you about this resource? Please feel free to use the back of this form and
attach any supporting documentation.
____________________________________________________________________________
What action are you requesting the Board of Trustees to consider?
____________________________________________________________________________
Are there resources you would suggest to provide additional information and/or other
viewpoints on this topic?
____________________________________________________________________________
The Library shall make every effort to keep the patron’s identity confidential, unless required by
a court order, pursuant to the following: Wisconsin Public Records Law and Compliance Guide,
Office of Open Government, Attorney General Josh Kaul, 2019 Edition, and the Wisconsin Trustee
Handbook TE15-1, and Wisconsin State Statutes 19.32 (2), 43.30 (1m), (2) (a-c).