The Castleton Public Library acquires materials in a variety of forms to meet the educational, informational and recreational needs of the community. These materials shall represent the broadest spectrum of print and non-print media available, within practical and budgetary constraints. The Library actively strives to cover all subject areas with a view to stimulate and expand the interests of persons of all ages, and to provide free, open, and equal access to resources for the continuing education of all members of our community.

It is the duty of the Library to maintain the effectiveness and usefulness of the collection through careful selection and de-selection of materials, both purchased and donated. Authority and responsibility for the selection of library resources is delegated to the Library Director by the Board of Trustees. The Director is responsible for the selection, acquisition, and organization of materials. Requests to consider selection of materials may be submitted to the Director; final responsibility for selection rests with the Director, and, if deemed necessary, with the Library’s Board of Trustees.

As part of its policy, the Castleton Public Library endorses the principles adopted by the American Library Association (ALA) in the Library Bill of Rights, the Freedom to Read Statement, and the Freedom to View Statement. These documents may be viewed on the ALA website www.ala.org.
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While a single standard of criteria for materials selection cannot be applied, potential resources may be judged by such appropriate criteria as the following: artistic or literary merit; relevance to community needs; potential and/or known demand; relative importance compared with resources on the same subject already in the collection; suitability to the intended audience; reputation of the author or publisher; availability and accessibility of the same resources in other Upper Hudson Library System member libraries or through interlibrary loan. Additional criteria may be applied to selection decisions by the Director and/or Board of Trustees. The library’s decision to acquire material does not constitute endorsement of the material’s content.

Gifts of books and other resources may be accepted with the understanding that they may be used or disposed of at the library’s discretion. Gift materials are subject to the same selection standards as purchased materials.

Withdrawal of materials from the collection is an integral part of collection development. Materials are withdrawn in order to maintain the collection’s usefulness, currency, relevance, and condition. Responsibility for collection maintenance and for the disposition of withdrawn resources rests with the Library Director. Withdrawn items may be sold, offered to other libraries or non-profit organizations, recycled, or discarded.

This Materials Selection Policy is available to the public at the library or on the Library’s website. It will be reviewed by the Library Director and the Board of Trustees annually.

Adopted March 21, 2011
Last Updated: May 21, 2018

The Castleton Public Library offers public access to the Internet through library computers as an extension of our mission to provide equal and uncensored access to resources in a wide variety of formats. While many sites on the Internet provide useful and interesting information, there are some that contain inaccurate, controversial and offensive material. The Library does not monitor or control Internet content and cannot be responsible for information accessed by the public. Patrons use the internet at their own discretion. Users must remember they are in a public building and show consideration for others when viewing Internet materials. Library Internet users are expected to act in a responsible and ethical manner consistent with all policies of the library. Use of the Library’s Internet service can be revoked for any violation of the Library’s policy. Public use of the Internet is a privilege provided by the Library, not a right, and Library personnel reserve the right to cease usage of any individual at any time. Due to the limited number of public access computers, use is limited to individuals with a valid Library card that is in good standing or a guest pass. Guest passes are available for users who do not already have a library card within the UHLS for a fee. The library also reserves the right to enforce rules to provide equitable Internet access for all patrons. Parents and guardians are responsible for the monitoring and restricting of their child’s use of the Internet at the Library. In accordance with federal and state laws and regulations, users are not permitted to access the Internet in the library for any illegal or criminal purpose, including, but not limited to: 
 

• Unauthorized or illegal copying of copyright-protected material. 
• Displaying explicit sexual material. 
• Hacking and similar activities. 
• Violating the computer or network security system. 
• Unauthorized use of computer accounts, access codes or network identification numbers. 
• Violating software license agreements. 
• Harassment or stalking 

Adopted: May 16, 2011 
Revised: February 25, 2013

The Castleton Public Library will adhere to the New York State Confidentiality Law. Under state law, library records which contain names or other personally identifying details regarding the users of public libraries ( including but not limited to records related to the circulation of library materials, database searches, computer use, interlibrary loan transactions, reference queries, requests for photocopies of library materials, title reserve requests, or the use of audio-visual materials), shall be confidential unless permission of the user is given or a subpoena or court order is issued. All library staff are expected to follow policy and uphold the law. The Library Director or his/her designee is the sole representative to authorize requests for confidential information protected by law. Library staff is required to direct any requests for such information the Director. The Director will then consult with legal counsel and/or the Board of Directors before releasing any information protected by law. 

Adopted: March 21, 2011