The Library: Its Community and Mission :

The Ridgewood Public Library is a 34,000 square foot facility serving a population of close to 25,000 residents of Ridgewood , as well as many borrowers from neighboring communities. The library is a member of the Bergen County Cooperative Library System (BCCLS), a consortium of over 70 libraries.

The Ridgewood Public Library is dedicated to providing information, education, culture and inspiration. We encourage our community to pursue lifelong learning and the enjoyment of books, programs and resources in a variety of formats and languages. We strive to offer the best possible library materials, staff, technology and facility, with ready and equal access to residents of all ages and nationalities.

Basic Principles:

In selecting books and materials the Library subscribes to the principles in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution, the Library Bill of Rights adopted by the American Library Association, the Freedom to Read Statement of the ALA and the American Book Publisher's Council, and the People's Rights to Libraries Statement of the New Jersey Library Association.

Responsibility for Selection:

The professional staff (certified by state of NJ with Master's Degree in Library Science) is responsible for the selection of all book and non-book materials, under the supervision of the Library Director.

Criteria for Selection:

The selection of all materials shall be made with the goal of developing a well-rounded collection that meets the needs and interests of the community, taking into consideration the ready availability of more than 5 million titles within the Bergen County Cooperative Library System. Staff will select materials that make the best use of available financial resources. New materials will be selected in a variety of formats (print, digital, audio-visual) using authoritative printed reviews in such media as Booklist , New York Times Book Review, Library Journal, Publisher's Weekly, and School Library Journal. Staff will evaluate and replace retrospective materials of current usefulness as needed consulting collection development tools such as Fiction Catalog, Genreflecting, Public Library Catalog, Reader's Adviser, and the basic lists of the American Library Association. Patrons' requests shall be given due consideration for purchase. No attempt shall be made to provide textbooks, but those which can be used for general informational purposes and materials supporting school curricula may be acquired, providing that they meet the standards of this selection policy.

Reference Collection:

The Library recognizes the importance of maintaining a strong Reference collection to benefit the citizens of Ridgewood. This collection consists of books, periodicals, online resources, and microforms and which provide a comprehensive research collection that reflects the diverse interests of the community. Special reference collections include business and investment, careers and job search, health and wellness, English as a Second Language, and genealogy and local history. The Library also maintains a special New Jersey collection consisting of materials of local, regional, and state historic and general interest. Professional staff regularly reviews the reference collection for the purposes of updating and acquiring new materials and to discard resources which are outdated and no longer needed.

Circulating Collections:

It is the function of the Ridgewood Public Library to provide books and materials for all ages and nationalities, from preschool to maturity. Collections are selected to provide pleasurable reading for reading's sake and to provide information in all topics which are of interest. The Library emphasizes books, periodicals and audio-visual materials which stimulate imagination and learning, foster a love of literature, and provide information in readily accessible formats. Accuracy, literary and artistic quality are important criteria. Special collections include English as a Second Language, World Language, films and audio books. A wide range of reading levels will be accommodated, with library materials supplied to encourage all levels of ability.

It is the policy of this Library that the borrowing of appropriate library materials, suitable for each child's needs and interests, is the ultimate responsibility of the parent. The Library will not restrict children in the selection of books for borrowing.

Gifts and Donations:

The Library collection has been greatly enriched by financial donations applied to purchase selected books and other materials.

Donations of used books, DVD's and books on CD will be accepted only if materials are in excellent condition, were published within 2 years, and are current best sellers. A professional librarian shall determine their suitability to the collection. Materials that are not added to the collection may be placed on the book sale or may be discarded.

Collection Assessment and Evaluation:

Weeding is a term describing the removal of library materials which contain outdated information, are no longer of interest, or are in very poor condition. Weeding is performed as a regular, ongoing process in the interest of keeping all collections current and useful. Withdrawn materials in good condition are put on the Library's book sale.

Reconsideration of Library Materials:

A complaint concerning the content of library materials may be given formal recognition using an American Library Association form, provided for this purpose, filled out and signed by the complainant. A committee composed of the Library Director, at least one staff member, and at least one member of the Board of Trustees shall then be asked to completely read (or hear or view) the material in question and discuss it from the standpoint of the criticism made. When the material has been so reviewed, the committee shall make a report to the Board of Trustees for final determination.

The Library shall be responsible for making accessible to the community the total library resources of our area and shall cooperate with other libraries in order to offer possible the greatest possible access to all library materials.

June 19, 2006

June 19, 2006