Principles for Provision of Learning Resources
POLICY:
FUNDAMENTAL PRINCIPLES FOR THE PROVISION OF LEARNING RESOURCES TO THE COLLEGE COMMUNITY
The materials selection policy of Middlesex County College Library is based on the philosophy embodied in the Bill of Rights to the United States Constitution. Primary among the fundamental precepts is the freedom of expression, but more specifically the right to publish diverse opinions and the right to unrestricted access to those opinions. The selection, acquisition and accessibility of learning resource materials adhere to the following policy statements.
- Materials will be acquired primarily to meet those needs of the students, faculty and administration which support or relate to the College curricula. Also of major concern will be the acquisition of general reference works, materials related to support services and administrative programs, media of such importance that they belong in any respectable academic resource collection, and materials of current interest or concern to the local campus community and its environs.
- Professional library staff and other faculty shall work cooperatively in the selection process to the maximum extent possible. Since the College library staff can best judge the comprehensiveness of the total collection, and because they have on hand many current reviewing sources, they shall assume final responsibility for coordinating the collection.
- Learning resource material will be provided for the interest, information and enlightment of all members of the College community. There will be no exclusionary practice because of the origin, background or views of authors or other creators. Every effort will be made to provide materials and information which will present divergent points of view on current and historical issues. Materials will not be endorsed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval or support.
- There will be no labeling of materials, nor segregation, characterized as a prejudicial system which will cause a predisposition of people’s attitude toward the resource materials. Any segregation of material for physical protection, or reserved use by designated groups, will be carefully administered and fully justified by having such reasons listed in the Library Handbook.
- The staff members of the Learning Resources material collection will bring to the attention of the Board through the appropriate administrators any threat of censorship violating the intellectual freedom of the College in the fulfillment of their responsibilities to provide information and enlightment, and will expect the said administrators and board to determine what is an appropriate action at the time. Expurgation, as defined by deletion, excision, alteration, or obliteration of any part (s) of learning resource material, will not be permitted.
- A patron’s right to use the resource collection will not be denied or abridged because of his or her origin, age, background, or beliefs.
- Circulation records will be considered as confidential in nature. Such records will not be made available to any agency except pursuant to such process, order, or subpoena as may be authorized under the authority of, and pursuant to, federal, state, or local law relating to civil, criminal, or administrative procedures or legislative investigatory power.
In conclusion it should be clearly understood that the College does not necessarily advocate the ideas found in its resource collection, and the presence of such material does not indicate any endorsement o its content. The representative staff members responsible for the selection and maintenance of materials will strive by all legitimate means available to be relieved of the threat of personal, economic, and legal reprisals resulting from their support and defense of the principles of intellectual freedom.
Approved: Board of Trustees
December 13, 1982
