New books may be borrowed for TWO WEEKS.

How we select new material

Library books and materials are selected to meet the educational, informational, cultural, and recreational needs of the community and to provide a balanced, multifaceted collection in the educational spirit of the public library movement in the democratic traditions of our nation.

The inclusion of a book or material in the Library’s collection does not in any way constitute an endorsement of the content or ideology. It is recognized that some works on certain subjects may not meet the approval of all members of the community; however, if the Library is to fulfill its public obligation and social responsibility, even those works which are regarded as controversial or unsettling to some may be included in the collection.

Selection is based upon authoritative printed reviews in such media as: the New York Times Book Review, Library Journal, Booklist, School Library Journal, and Horn Book. The Selection of materials shall be based on one or more of the following:

• Importance of the subject to the balance of the collection
• Potential use and interest in the community
• Permanent or timely value
• Quality of writing and visual art
• Accuracy of information
• Authoritativeness of author and publisher
• Scarcity of material on the subject
• Accessibility of material in other libraries
• Format
• Appearance of title in special bibliographies or indexes
• Price
• Patrons’ requests: Such requests will be given consideration; however, selection of all materials shall be made on the basis of the above criteria.

Donation of books and other material

As a public institution, the Library is the recipient of both solicited and unsolicited gifts.  Because of the size, public character, and limited budget of the library, the following guidelines will be used by the Library Trustees and by the Library Director when accepting gifts, agreeing to their maintenance, and disposing of them.

A.  Non-monetary unsolicited gifts should meet most of the following criteria:

• Be congruent with the purpose of the Library to advance knowledge, to provide entertainment, and to serve as a repository of reference information
• Have broad appeal
• Be available to any and all Library patrons
• Be integrated into the regular collection of the Library
• Not require care different from that provided for other Library holdings
• Not require maintenance expenditures different from other, similar items owned by the Library
• Not be given on the basis of being retained in perpetuity

B.  Monetary gifts and property intended for sale will be accepted:

• On an unrestricted basis.  Within this parameter, however, the Library Director will be guided by the interests of the donor and make an expenditure that, to the extent possible, exhausts the donation.  For example, the donor might request that a book be purchased or a service provided in memory or commemoration of another.  Should any amount of the donation remain after purchase of materials or services, such amounts will revert to the general fund or be transferred to the gifts account.
• To acquire library materials or furnishings as determined by the Trustees and/or Library Director.
• To establish a specific fund, the principal and/or income from which will be used for a purpose acceptable to the Trustees at the time of acceptance or of disbursement.

D.  Acceptance of gifts, including memorial gifts, by the Library warrants gratitude by the Trustees and Library Director on behalf of the people of the Township but does not create any obligation to specially maintain the gift or provide any special services to the benefactor or someone he or she designates.