Gifts

The Library evaluates all gift materials, including memorials and honoraria, according to the Criteria for Materials Selection. Not all gifts are recommended for addition to the collection. A special bookplate with an appropriate inscription may designate accepted material. If a gift is integrated into the collection, the library reserves the right to decide the conditions of display, housing, access, and withdrawal of the material. Gifts that are declined may be used for the book sale, or returned to the donor with a brief explanation of why the item is unsuitable.

Gilbertville Public Library does not appraise gift materials for tax purposes. The library will, upon request of the donor, provide a written receipt for gifts, indicating the number and general description of materials.

Controversial Materials: Intellectual Freedom

The library does not mark or identify materials to show approval or disapproval of contents. The library also does not mark materials to restrict their use by ages, or sequester them except to protect valuable items from injury or theft. The library does not rely on private advisory codes or rating services in developing collections, nor does the library remove such ratings if they are an integral part of the item or its packaging.

The library recognizes parents and legal guardians as the parties responsible for the reading and viewing habits of children. The selection of materials for the adult collection is not restricted by the possibility that children may obtain materials their parents or guardians consider inappropriate.

Concerns about materials in the librarys collections may be directed to the Director. In the interest of protecting the individuals right to have access to materials; the Library supports the following documents:

1. The First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

2. The Library Bill of Rights - Adopted June 18, 1948, amended February 2, 1967, and June 23, 1980, inclusion of age reaffirmed January 23, 1996, by the ALA Council.

3. The Freedom to Read Statement - Adopted June 25, 1953; revised January 28, 1972, January 16, 1991, July 12, 2000, June 30, 2004, by the ALA Council and the AAP Freedom to Read Committee.