A STATEMENT ON LABELING OR RATING OF OUR LIBRARY’S MATERIALS

A STATEMENT ON LABELING OR RATING OF OUR LIBRARY’S MATERIALS

Our library is sustained in the belief that we must have a diverse collection that reflects major viewpoints on a variety of subjects. Therefore, the library considers the diversity of community needs, interests and demands for titles and formats in the materials selection process. Material that inspires one patron may also sometimes offend another.

By providing free and open access to diverse information and viewpoints, the public library may serve as a cornerstone of democratic society. Inclusion of materials in the library’s collection acknowledges the importance of a variety of views and interests; it does not represent an endorsement or imply agreement with any particular viewpoint, or suggest approval or certification of the content of any item.

The library does not label materials except to aid the public in finding them in the library. Labels or ratings that provide assessments such as "This material contains language which some may find offensive" are not applied by the library.

The responsibility for monitoring “under 18’” reading, listening and viewing rests with the parent or legal guardian. Selection of materials for the library is not restricted by the possibility that children may obtain materials that their parents or guardians consider inappropriate.

“The American Library Association affirms the rights of individuals to form their own opinions about resources they choose to read, view, listen to, or otherwise access.  Libraries do not advocate the ideas found in their collections or in resources accessible through the library. The presence of books and other resources in a library does not indicate endorsement of their contents by the library. Likewise, providing access to digital information does not indicate endorsement or approval of that information by the library. Labeling systems present distinct challenges to these intellectual freedom principles.”

All libraries are likely to contain some materials that some patrons may find objectionable. In addition, collections may not contain all materials that some patrons feel are important.

November 27, 2016