Fraser Valley Regional Library

The intent of this policy is to provide the public with a greater understanding of the purpose and nature of Fraser Valley Regional Library’s collection and to give guidance and direction to the library’s staff for collection development, and maintenance.

The Library will provide a collection developed to support the strategic direction of the library, and to connect people to the world in information and ideas. The collection will include a variety of formats such as books, CDbooks, magazines, newspapers, electronic resources, reference books, language learning kits, etc.

The Library will provide a collection developed to support the vision of the Library as an innovative organization recognized as a vital community destination and resource for literacy, recreation, and informed decision.

The Library will provide and continue to develop a library collection supporting the needs and interests of a diverse population, which includes consumers of popular materials, information seekers including researchers, business, agencies, etc., students and independent learners of all ages and preschool children and their parents or caregivers. The Library recognizes the unique needs of people with disabilities.

The Library will use the following principles to shape the nature and use of its collection:

Free And Open Use For All:

Individual choice is paramount. No restriction is placed on collection use except for purposes of protecting the collection from damage or theft. Materials are not marked to indicate approval or disapproval of their contents. Materials are arranged to facilitate ease of use and access.

The Library provides customers of all ages open access to the Library's collections. Exceptions include items restricted by acquisitions agreements such as audio books for the print impaired. Items may be delivered to any branch at the customer's request.

Children’s materials are shelved separately. Parents/guardians sign their child’s card and assume responsibility for the child’s selection. Children have access to all materials in the Library. Parents and legal guardians are responsible for monitoring and limiting the use of Library materials by their children.

Intellectual Freedom:

The collection contains original, critical and possibly controversial materials necessary for the functioning of a democratic society. The presence of a particular item in the collection does not indicate an endorsement of its content.

The Fraser Valley Regional Library supports the Statement of Intellectual Freedom as developed by the Canadian Library Association. Read the statement on the Canadian Library Association website.

Compliance With The Law:

The Library does not acquire materials that contravene the Criminal Code or any other statute or law.

Broadest Possible Coverage:

The collection covers a comprehensive range of interests and views of all ages.