The purpose in building a collection is to make available to all people who enter the library as comprehensive a collection of recorded knowledge as possible within ' the limits of funds available and the needs of the community. The library recognizes the needs of the community are of primary importance in selection and because the community is a conglomerate of individuals, each individual's needs will be considered in conjunction with the majority of the present and potential patronage. An effort is made to include information representing all sides of controversial issues as such material becomes available. The criteria for the selection of controversial materials are the same as for any other materials.
Controversial materials have no distinguishing labels and are shelved in the general collection.
Responsibility for the reading choices of children rests with their parents or legal guardians. Selection for the adult collection will not be inhibited by the possibility that materials may inadvertently fall into the hands of children. An open shelf policy will be followed at all times. This selection policy defines the standards and outlines the responsibility for materials selection for the Carbondale Public Library. Within these guidelines, the librarians use their professional judgment to determine the materials which best meet the objectives of the Library and the needs of its patrons.