Board Policy – Collection

Policy Statement

Fraser Valley Regional Library (the “Library”) is committed to developing and maintaining a diverse, accessible, and robust collection of materials (including in print and in digital and audio formats) that anticipates and meets customer needs and that also reflects the Library’s stated mission, vision, and values.

Scope

This policy applies to the entirety of the Library collection (including all print, digital, and audio content).

Intellectual Freedom

The Library supports, and is guided by in its selection decisions for its collection, the Canadian Federation of Library Associations' Statement on Intellectual Freedom and Libraries. FVRL acquires a wide range of materials representing various points of view, including materials which may be considered controversial and offensive to some individuals. Selections made for the Library’s collection will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval, but solely on the merits of the work in relation to developing and maintaining the Library’s collection and the Library serving its customers.  Simply because material forms part of the Library’s collection does not signify the Library’s endorsement of that material.  Further, the Library does not warrant that the content of its collection is accurate, reliable, or complete.

Access to the Library’s Collection

The Library takes pride in providing customers of all ages, backgrounds, and experiences with open access to its collection, with individual choice of the customer being paramount. The Library provides children and teens with the same open access to its collection that adults enjoy, with the exception that minors may be restricted from accessing certain materials as required by the Motion Picture Act of British Columbia. It remains the responsibility of a minor’s parent or guardian to monitor the minor’s access or use of the Library’s collection.

Limits to the Library’s Collection

Although the Library strives to develop and maintain a collection that is both broad and varied, there are limits to what the Library can include, including the following:

  • The Library will not include in its collection anything that violates applicable laws including the Criminal Code, and if anything in its collection becomes non-compliant with applicable laws then the Library will remove it from its collection;
  • The Library must be guided by budgetary consideration in its selection decisions;
  • The Library must be guided by any restrictions in its physical space and infrastructure; and
  • The Library will not engage in commercial activities and does not buy "infomercials", i.e. items of a mainly promotional and commercial nature, for circulation, including for products, items, or services.
Questions or Concerns

Anyone with questions or concerns about this policy or its application, including concerns with what is included in the Library’s collection, should contact the Library Manager.