Materials Selection Policy

The Library acquires and organizes books, periodicals (both paper and microfiche),
videocassettes, and other appropriate non-print materials to accomplish the following:

1. to support all courses, both credit and non-credit, offered by Chattanooga State Technical Community College;
2. to support professional and personal growth of all Chattanooga State faculty, staff, administration, and students;
3. to increase the awareness of world events and trends that may affect our lives as responsible citizens of the global community.

Materials are selected by the Dean of Library Services from recommendations
by Library staff, faculty, administration, students, and other members of Chattanooga State's
community based upon the following criteria for building the overall collection:

1. Relation of subject matter to the above
2. Reputation of the author/creator and publisher/producer
3. Level of material presented (e.g., Is it intended for the lay person, the two-year student, faculty, professional person,
4. Relation of material under consideration to other materials on that subject in the library's collection (e.g., Does it repeat or offer new information or another point of view? It is too specialized to be purchased without having more basic materials to introduce the subject?)
5. Cost of the material considering its format, projected use, and potential.

Specific items are selected using criteria such as the following:

1. Books
   1. Relevance of subject matter
   2. Timeliness or continuing need for the materials
   3. Availability of other materials on the subject
   4. Authoritativeness
   5. Quality of the publisher
   6. Appropriate level of the material for this Library
   7. Cost of the book (Recognizing the fact that a large part of the cost of a book is in the staff time spent in cataloging, processing, and managing that book in the Library's inventory, all gift books will come under the same scrutiny as purchased books for meeting the above criteria)
2. Periodicals
   1. Relevance for the curriculum
   2. Inclusion in periodical indexes/databases held by this Library
   3. Interests of students, faculty, administration, and staff
   4. Cost of subscription
3. Audiovisuals
   1. Relevance for the curriculum
   2. For visual materials, availability in 1/2" videocassette format
   3. For audio materials, availability in standard audiocassette or compact disc
   4. Availability of other audiovisuals in this Library covering the same subject matter
   5. Availability of appropriate copyright or licensing permissions to be able to transmit the videocassette over closed-circuit, ITFS, or other appropriate electronic transmission vehicles if requested
   6. Preview of material by faculty
   7. Cost of material (Unless the cost is excessively high and the anticipated use exceedingly low, materials are usually purchased rather than rented)

As a general policy, the Library will acquire English language material that is written at an appropriate level for a two-year college student. Exceptions to this rule may be made for material to support foreign language courses, for material to support new technologies relevant to this institution, and for material to support particular areas in which faculty or staff are doing research.

The Tennessee Board of Regents' policy on Academic Freedom, Responsibility, and Tenure (5:02:03:00) states that "Academic freedom is essential to fulfill the ultimate objectives of an educational institution -- the free search for and exposition of truth -- and applies to both teaching and research." The Library supports this freedom to search for the truth. While some Library materials may present viewpoints not accepted by all of the college community, the Library supports the right of its patrons to identify and select those materials most suited to their purposes. This access is
-mplified in the American Library Association's "Library Bill of Rights" as stated below:

LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
2. II.Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
3. III.Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
4. IV.Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
5. V.A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
6. VI.Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

Adopted June 18, 1948. Amended February 2, 1961, and January 23, 1980, inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996, by the ALA Council.

An important part of the collection-building process is selecting those materials which no longer add significant value to the Library collection and whose continued presence may even detract from the overall collection due to occupying needed space or containing outdated information. Library materials will be weeded by the library staff in conjunction with the appropriate faculty. The materials will then be discarded according to appropriate institutional procedures. This is done on a continuous basis as
staff time allows, using the following criteria:

1. The information has become obsolete or no longer reflects current thinking. This is especially important in the allied health and technology areas.
2. A newer edition has been added. If a newer reference edition has been added, the older edition may be transferred to the circulating collection.
3. The number of copies held far exceeds the demand.
4. The material is physically unsuitable for retention in the collection.
5. The material has not been used in five years.

Building a vital, useful, comprehensive, balanced, library collection that reflects the curriculum, current technology, and emphases of the college depends upon regular communication and cooperation among the Dean of Library Services, the Library staff, the faculty, the administration, the student body, and the entire college community.

Approved: Victoria P. Leather, Dean of Library Services
Editorial changes: March 29, 2001
Approved: Dr. Gregory A. Sedrick, Vice President of Academic Affairs, March 29, 2001