Collection Development Policy

Slater Library connects people with information, ideas and experiences to provide enjoyment, enrich lives and strengthen our community.  Slater Library collects materials which function as a major information source for our patrons.  The collection also serves the needs of the general public, and reflects the racial, ethnic and cultural diversity of the community.  The library upholds the right of individuals to access information, to access information, even though the content may be controversial, unorthodox or unacceptable to others.   

Materials for children and teenagers are intended to broaden their vision, support recreational reading, encourage and facilitate reading skills, supplement their education needs, stimulate and widen their interest, lead to recognition and appreciation of literature and reflect the diversity of the community. Our collection is designated by appropriateness as follows:

• Children ages 0-7,
• junior 8-11,
• young adult 12-18 and
• adults.   

Separate areas for young children and separate areas for juniors and young adult.  Adults have a large area of books of their own. 

 In general, decisions to place particular items in the collections are done by the standard of the average person, applying contemporary community standards nationwide, would find that the materials, taken as a whole, has a tendency to appeal to these age groups.   The library's collection criteria include the following:  Relevance to interest and needs of the community.    Extent of publicity, critical review and current or anticipated demand.  Current and historical significance of the author of subject.  Relevance to the existing collection's strength and weakness.  Suitability of format to library circulation and use.  Date publication.  Price, availability and library materials budget.