Section 6. Collection Development.

This is a summary of Section 6 of the Springfield Town Library Policy Manual. For the full approved version, please see the printed version at the library. A screen-reader accessible version of this part of the full approved policy manual is being planned.

The Springfield Town Library Board of Trustees has a policy about how we choose, care for, and review the materials in our Library. Our collection is one of our most important tools for serving the people in our community.

This policy follows Vermont law (22 V.S.A. § 69) and includes:

  • How we choose materials,

  • What to do if someone wants us to review a book or item (Section 3),

  • How we keep the collection up to date,.

The Library supports the right of everyone to read, watch, and learn freely. We follow the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read and Freedom to View statements from the American Library Association (see Appendices A–C).

We work to build a collection that includes many different ideas and points of view. We try to make sure the collection is balanced, offering materials for people of all ages and reading levels in print, digital, and other formats.

We focus on:

  • Providing accurate and current information,

  • Offering popular books and resources,

  • Including items for children, teens, and adults,

  • Maintaining and expanding our Library of Things—non-traditional items people can borrow.

Our collection is meant for the general public. We usually do not collect school textbooks or highly technical or academic materials. However, we make a special effort to collect:

  • Books and materials about Springfield,

  • Works by local authors,

  • Local family histories (genealogies),

  • Books on Vermont history.

  • New items that are added to the correct section of the collection.

The Library is part of two library sharing networks:

  • The Vermont Interlibrary Loan Network,

  • The Catamount Library Network.

These partnerships let us borrow items from other libraries and share ours with them. If we borrow something from another library, we are responsible for returning it safely.

Intellectual Freedom:

The Library supports the right of all people to think, learn, and explore ideas freely. This means we follow the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and Vermont laws that ban discrimination in public places like libraries.

The Library does not support or promote any specific belief or opinion. Just because something is in the Library does not mean we agree with it. Our goal is to offer trustworthy, high-quality materials that show a wide range of viewpoints so people can decide for themselves.

Parents or legal guardians—not the Library—are responsible for deciding what their children may read, watch, or use. The Library does not monitor what children borrow.

We understand that some people may not agree with certain books or topics in the collection. If someone has a concern about an item, they are welcome to fill out a Request for Reconsideration Form (Appendix T) and give it to the Library Director. We will review the request carefully and respectfully, following the steps in our Request for Reconsideration Policy (section 3).

Who Chooses Library Materials:

The Library Director is in charge of choosing which materials are added to the Library. This is because the Director has the training, experience, and knowledge to make these decisions. The Director may ask other staff members to help choose materials in subjects they know well, but the Director is still responsible for all final choices.

How the Library Chooses Materials:


Many things help decide what items are added to the Library, including money, space, staff time, and how we take care of materials. When staff choose new materials, they look at:

  • Whether it supports the Library’s mission and goals

  • What the community wants or asks for

  • If it includes or represents a wide range of people and groups (such as different races, genders, abilities, religions, and beliefs)

  • How it relates to Springfield or the state of Vermont

  • Who made or published it and their experience

  • Whether it’s interesting or important, even if it’s not widely known

  • How much it costs and if it’s available

  • How easy it is to read, use, or access

  • Whether the format (like print, DVD, or digital) will last or stay useful

The Library works to build a collection that shows different opinions and reflects the people and history of the community. Each item is looked at as a whole. We also try to include materials from many different authors, creators, and types of media.

We do not leave things out just because of the race, religion, gender, beliefs, or other personal qualities of the author or creator. We also do not remove materials just because someone might disagree with the ideas in them.

The Library does not block access to materials just because they might be seen by young people. It is the parent’s or legal guardian’s job to decide what their child may use—not the Library's.

If someone in the community asks for a specific book or topic, the Library will consider the request carefully. We may buy the item, lease it, or borrow it from another library.

Removing Old or Unused Materials

The Library works best when it keeps materials that people use. That’s why the Library regularly removes items that are no longer helpful. This may include items that are:

  • Out of date or inaccurate

  • No longer interesting to the community

  • Damaged or falling apart

The Library Director is in charge of removing materials, but may ask other staff to help, especially in subjects they know well. We use the same standards for removing items as we do for choosing new ones.

Items that are removed from the collection may be recycled, donated, or sold, based on the Library Director’s decision.

Historical Archives Collection

Our Mission: The Springfield Town Library Archives saves old books, papers, and pictures that show the history of Springfield and nearby towns.

How We Store Items: New items go into the right part of the collection and are given a number to help us track them. Most items are kept in special boxes and folders to keep them safe, except for old books.

What We Collect: We collect things that show local history, like:

  • Photos

  • Postcards

  • Letters

  • Pamphlets

  • Other printed items

We pick items based on what we already have, what we need, their condition, and if other places already have them. We try to include items from many different kinds of people and backgrounds.

Donations: We welcome donations from the public. We accept items that fit our collection, are in good condition, and are important to our local history. All donated items belong to the Library once accepted. We can only take items with no rules or limits on how they are used. A signed Deed of Gift form is required.

Access: Most items are online. To see items in person, ask a librarian. You must stay in the library and wear gloves when handling them.

Removing Items: Sometimes, we remove items if they are no longer useful, don’t fit the collection, or we already have extra copies. These items may be given to another group, sold, or thrown away—unless the donor asked us to contact them first.

The above is a summary of Section 6 of the Springfield Town Library Policy Manual. For the full approved version, please see the printed version at the library. A screen-reader accessible version of this part of the full approved policy manual is being planned.