Collection Development Policy
CLARENCE REGIONAL LIBRARY
COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY
July 2006
Adopted by Library Committee:
Revised November 2007
(Clarence Valley Council Policy No. 4.04 - adopted 19/2/2008)
Part 1 Background
Mission
To provide efficient, effective and appropriate library and information services to meet the educational, informational, recreational and cultural needs of the communities of the member councils of the Clarence Regional Library. To maintain an up-to-date service embracing changes in technology as they occur.
Purpose
The purpose of this Collection Development Policy is to assist in the acquisition and management of library resources and to account to our member councils and the public for the selection of such resources.
The reasons for preparing a Collection Development Policy include:
• To enable the Library to provide a balanced collection of resources that provide for the educational, informational, recreational and cultural needs of the people served by the Library
• To identify the strengths and weaknesses of the collection as a whole, and to redress any weaknesses and to continue to build on strengths
• To act as a guideline for future collection building
Background
The Clarence Regional Library provides library services for the people of Clarence Valley Council and Bellingen and Nambucca Shire Councils. Nine branch libraries and a mobile library serve these communities. The branch libraries are situated at Grafton, Maclean, Yamba, Iluka, Bellingen, Urunga, Dorrigo, Nambucca Heads and Macksville, while the mobile library operates within the previous Pristine Waters Shire boundaries.
Library Headquarters is located at South Grafton and is headed by the Regional Librarian. All centralised tasks such as acquisitions, accessions, cataloguing, ILLs, reference and rotation of stock are carried out at Headquarters and then are delivered to our branches via carriers. Rotated stock includes adult and junior fiction, talking books, large print books and junior easies. This rotation allows our branches to have an injection of new books at regular intervals, additional to newly acquired stock.
All lending stock is available to every library member in the region through our reservation system and may be returned to any branch in the system.
Community Profile
The total population of the three Local Government Areas that fund Clarence Regional Library is 78 459 (ABS 2006 Census). The population of each Local Government Area is shown below:
Bellingen 12 416
Clarence Valley 48 146
Nambucca 17 897
Table 1. Age distribution in each Local Government Area
| Local Government Area | Total Pop. | 0-4 | Under 15 | Over 55 |
| Bellingen | 12 416 | 630 (5%) | 2504 (20%) | 4009 (32%) |
| Clarence Valley | 48 146 | 2585 (5%) | 9546 (20%) | 16 095 (33%) |
| Nambucca | 17 987 | 980 (5%) | 3349 (19%) | 6664 (37%) |
| NSW | 6 549 177 | 420 434 (6%) | 1 298 917 (20%) | 1 625 329 (25%) |
Table 2. Age distribution in each major centre served by Clarence Regional Library
| Town | Total Pop. | 0-4 | Under 15 | Over 55 |
| Grafton | 17 501 | 1 082 (6%) | 3 591 (21%) | 5 506 (31%) |
| Nambucca Heads | 5 873 | 296 (5%) | 926 (16%) | 2 648 (45%) |
| Yamba | 5 514 | 253 (6%) | 820 (15%) | 2 526 (46%) |
| Maclean | 3 245 | 167 (5%) | 606 (19%) | 1 287 (40%) |
| Bellingen | 2 876 | 176 (6%) | 660 (23%) | 795 (28%) |
| Urunga | 2 687 | 103 (4%) | 430 (16%) | 1 213 (45%) |
| Macksville | 2 658 | 167 (5%) | 518 (19%) | 1 067 (40%) |
| Iluka | 1 739 | 163 (6%) | 237 (14%) | 922 (53%) |
| Dorrigo | 967 | 54 (6%) | 194 (20%) | 334 (35%) |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006 Census.
The above figures indicate that the percentage of the population served by the Clarence Regional Library in each LGA for individuals aged 0-4 and Under 15 is comparable with NSW state figures. However the percentage of the population for over 55 within each of the LGA’s is noticeably higher that the state figure.
Table 2 figures also highlights the difference between the state’s population for those individuals that are over 55 and the figures for each major service centre within the Clarence Regional Library service area. It can be clearly seen that the percentage of the population at each of these centres is much higher than the state average.
Ethnic Characteristics
The 2006 Census provides the following information about the birthplace of our residents.
| Bellingen | Clarence Valley | Nambucca | |
| Australia | 10 311 | 42 264 | 15 023 |
| England | 589 | 1 207 | 709 |
| New Zealand | 168 | 499 | 194 |
| Germany | 96 | 142 | 81 |
| Scotland | 71 | 176 | 113 |
| Netherlands | 52 | 170 | 58 |
Source: Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2006 Census. Note: These figures indicate the main responses, not all responses.
The above table indicates that the majority of the population served by the Library is of an English speaking background.
Part 2 Selection criteria
Selection Methodology
Selection is undertaken using a range of resources
• Catalogues/reviews
• Bibliographic tools
• Library suppliers visits and promotional material
• Standing orders
• Bookshop and warehouse visits
• Suggestions from clients and staff
General selection criteria
As one of the main duties of the Library is to provide free and equitable access to information for all sections of the community:
• The Library must accept responsibility for providing free access to materials, presenting, as far as possible, all points of view on current issues
• The librarian must not select materials based on personal moral, political, social or ideological views, except where subject to State or Federal prohibition
• Each type of material should be evaluated on its own merits and its suitability for its intended audience.
• Regular culling of the collection is needed to keep it useful and up-to-date.
• School, TAFE and university text-books will not be collected unless no other suitable material is available.
• Multiple copies of materials are only bought for high demand fiction, and to a lesser extent, non-fiction. In many subject areas, where interest is in the subject, rather than particular titles, the Library should buy several different titles on the same subject. In this way, the library can add variety and depth to the collection. Duplicate copies of the following materials should be purchased:
• Best selling fiction authors
• Literary award winners (Booker Prize, Miles Franklin Award, Children’s Book of the Year, etc.)
• Reference books needed on a regular basis at each branch (eg. Law Handbook, World Book Encyclopaedia, Legal Tool Kit titles).
• Local history titles (loan and reference copies).
Materials considered for purchase by the Library meet the following criteria:
Client Demand
• Popular authors
• New reading trends
• Media influence eg: television programs
Content
• Subject matter should be current or present current views on historical matters
• Care should be taken that collection in a certain area is balanced and presents all viewpoints
• Representation of significant genre or national culture
• Priority should be given to Australian views of subjects.
Arrangement & Style
• Indexing and bibliographies should be included where appropriate
• Arrangement, language and style should be suitable for the intended user.
Format
• The format should be suitable for the material presented, and conveys the information to the user in the most appropriate way.
• The material should be strong and durable - hardbacks with library binding are generally preferable, but paperbacks may be purchased where no hardback edition is available, or is too expensive.
• Paperbacks may also be purchased if they are deemed more suitable for the user group eg. young adults and clients receiving the Home Library Service often prefer fiction in paperback format.
Other
• Cost, value for money
• The availability of information via the Internet should be considered when selecting materials for the non-fiction collection.
• Due to budgetary constraints, the price, or value for money, of an item, may be considered.
Reasons for non-inclusion
• Items of a highly technical or specialised nature, or those items fulfilling a one-off technical request, will be provided through inter-library loan
• Material that is suggested that is out of date, very expensive, published in an unsuitable format, or where there are suitable alternative titles in stock on the subject
• Materials classified by the Office of Film and Literature Classification as R rated.
Censorship
Censorship powers are vested in both State and Federal governments. Materials prohibited by law will not be included in the collection. Material will not be rejected on moral, political, racial or religious grounds if it otherwise meets the Library’s selection criteria. It is the responsibility of parents or guardians, rather than Library staff, to determine the suitability of materials used by their children.
This policy endorses the ALIA Statement on Free Access to Information (see Appendices 1-3)
Controversial Material
The Library aims to include in the collections a representative selection of materials which meet basic selection criteria, are on topics of interest to its readers, including items covering controversial subjects, providing they are not prohibited by law. The Library aims to provide materials which collectively represent all sides of controversial issues.
Collection Statements
Reference Collection
The aim of the reference collection is to provide access to a broad range of up-to-date information for study and research. It should be of high quality in its content, format and expression. The reference collection is not for loan and includes a range of formats including both print and non-print formats such as on-line resources. The Reference Collection also encompasses a number of special collections including Australian Bureau of Statistics publications, Legal Information Access Centre, Infocus and Drug Information @ your Library materials.
Criteria for selection
• Up-to-date
• Written by an authority in the particular field
• Easy to use, with appropriate arrangement for the subject, good indexes and bibliographies, illustrations, photographs, maps and timelines.
• Relevance to the needs of our patrons
• Value for money
Local Studies Collections
The aim of the Local Studies collection is to provide a comprehensive collection of resources relating to the communities served by the Clarence Regional Library. The collection is intended to preserve and make accessible materials of past, present and future of a cultural, historical, social and environmental nature in a variety of formats. All branches collect material related to the local history of their area, including Council reports and other documents.
The collections will include monographs, newspapers, periodicals, annual reports, pamphlets, photographs, maps, sound recordings, video recordings, manuscripts, microforms, CD-ROMs and press cuttings. All subjects related to the local area will be covered including history, biography, geography, social conditions, Aboriginal and migrant groups and local industries. Careful attention will be paid to the proper conservation and storage of items. The Library will not collect realia such as costume or furniture (with the exception of some artefacts for display purposes), as this is the responsibility of the Local Historical societies.
The Library will acquire items for the Local Studies collection through purchase, donations and transfers from other Council departments
All local history titles will have at least one copy “not for loan”, with duplicate copies available for loan, if resources allow.
Non-fiction Collection
The non-fiction collection contains resources for the recreational and informational needs of all people of all ages in our communities. Material should be collected that allows people to understand and participate in our society, to follow personal interests and to pursue life-long learning. The non-fiction collection should also support school (and other) students carrying out research for projects, local business people and council employees in the course of their work. Hardcover and paperback monographs are collected, with hardcover being the favoured format, depending on price and availability.
Criteria for selection:
• Material should be accurate, up-to-date, and non-biased (or if a work presents a clearly-stated viewpoint, it should generally be balanced by another work presenting a differing viewpoint).
• Authority of author(s) and publisher
• Easy-to-use and containing indexes, bibliographies, photos, illustrations, maps and timelines (depending on the nature of the work)
• Relevant to the needs of our patrons
• Good quality
• Value for money
Adult Fiction
The adult fiction collection includes all types of fiction suitable for adult readers, including literary and popular works. Multiple copies of best-sellers and award winners should be purchased, and particular attention should be paid to buying Australian fiction (including indigenous authors). The purchase of hardback books with library binding is preferred, with paperback editions to be purchased to provide additional copies or where the book is not published in hardback.
Criteria for selection:
• Literary merit
• Imaginative writing
• Effective plot and characterisation
• In popular demand
• Part of existing series
• Standard genre fiction - western, mystery, romance, thriller, science fiction and fantasy.
Large Print
The Large Print collection is targeted at those patrons who have difficulty reading normal print. It consists of largely fiction titles, with some popular non-fiction (such as biographies) included. The large print collection should include all genres and best-sellers. While the preferred format for large print is hardback, softcover will sometimes be bought in preference, in consideration for aged or arthritic users.
Criteria for selection:
• Literary merit
• Imaginative writing
• Effective plot and characterisation
• Standard genre fiction to be included
• In popular demand
• Bestselling authors
Magazines
The magazine collection should contain titles of general interest to all ages of the community. Australian publications should be the preferred option when selecting, and should complement and add currency to the collection.
Criteria for selection:
• Of general interest to the community
• Reputable publisher
• Regular publishing schedule
• Australian publications preferred
• Cost
• Popularity
• Content
Pamphlet file
The pamphlet file should consist of material that will be of use to the general public but is in a format that is not suitable for shelving. This material will be of a more current nature than that available in the non-fiction collection, and it should complement this collection. The same criteria should be applied as is applied for non-fiction. As much of the material in this collection will be ephemeral, it should be weeded regularly. The significance of this collection is, however, becoming reduced by access to the Internet and the size of these files will decrease over time and will tend to be used for local information.
Young Adult Collection
The young adult collection is aimed at children between the ages of 12 and 18. The collection will include both literary and popular authors, with an emphasis on Australian writers. The collection should contain books of high interest to teenagers to encourage the habit of reading for pleasure.
Criteria for selection:
• Literary merit
• Original writing
• Effective plot and characterisation
• Subject matter of interest to young adults
• Includes latest trends and genres
• Attractive format, including graphic novels
• Award winning titles and authors
Junior Fiction
The junior fiction collection is targeted at children between the ages of 6 and 14. The collection will include both literary and popular authors, with an emphasis on Australian writers. The collection should contain books of interest to children to foster and encourage a lifelong love of reading and literature.
Criteria for selection:
• Literary merit
• Original writing
• Effective plot and characterisation
• Of interest to children in primary school
• Includes latest trends and genres
• Attractive format, including graphic novels
• Award winning titles and authors
Junior Easy
This collection should introduce children to reading as an enjoyable and rewarding experience by providing a range of titles, which stimulate the imagination, introduce children to language and their cultural heritage, and add to their knowledge of the world. The Junior Easy collection is for children from 0-6 and includes picture books, nursery rhyme and fairytale books, books for parents to read to children, easy books for children who are learning to read. Australian authors and illustrators should be emphasised.
Criteria for selection:
• Literary merit
• Illustrations that enhance text
• Original writing
• Attractive presentation
• Suitability for the age
• Award winning titles
Stack
Items from various collections that are not suitable to remain on public display may be retained in the library stack. Usually these are works of
literary merit, fragile items, items of historical interest, items of perennial interest, items now out of print and valuable items. Stack resources remain on the CRL catalogue and are available for loan via reservation.
Talking Books
The aim of the Talking Book collection is to provide clients of all ages access to a wide range of books in a spoken word format. Criteria for selection should be similar to fiction and non-fiction, taking into account the needs and interests of patrons of this collection, as well as the following criteria
Criteria for selection:
• Unabridged versions where possible.
• Quality and clarity of reader’s voice.
• Physical quality of cassettes and CD cases.
• Availability of replacement tapes and CDs.
• New technology must be addressed as the future of the cassette is limited.
It will be necessary to monitor trends in technology to ensure that the Library’s talking book collection is providing clients with new and alternative formats as they are developed.
DVD’s
The Library’s aim is to develop a DVD collection that enhances the fiction and non-fiction collections. It will support and stimulate the information, educational, recreational and cultural needs of all members of the community. The selection of audio visual material is aimed at providing viewing, listening and instructional materials to complement and/or supplement the print collections.
Particular emphasis will be on:
• Documentaries
• Do-it-yourself and instructional presentations
• Performance of dramas or screenplays with particular emphasis on Australian works
• Popular series, classic films, drama, comedy, award winning films and films with an Australian interest
CD-Roms
The collection aims to complement materials already held in the reference, local studies and non-fiction collections. CD-Rom’s offer an alternative format for presentation of information and in some cases may be the only alternative format for the presentation of information and in some cases may be the only comprehensive format available in a particular subject area. The collection will also include appropriate educational children’s games.
On-line resources
The Library provides its clients with access to a range of electronic databases provided by NSW.net consortia or purchased individually by the Library. A number of these databases provide remote access for clients.
A plethora of information is available through the Internet.
This policy endorses the Library Council of New South Wales, Access to Information in New South Wales Public Libraries Statement (see Appendix 3)
Donations
Donations play an important part in enriching the collection. Donations of material are accepted on the understanding that they become the property of the Library and as such the Library reserves the right to evaluate, use or dispose of the materials as it deems appropriate. Any books not considered suitable for our needs will be sold at the Library’s book sale, given to charity, or recycled. There is to be no coercion on the part of the donor imposing conditions relating to any gift either before or after its acceptance by the Library.
Donations must meet the selection criteria outlined in the Collection Development Policy for each individual collection area.
De-selection
De-selection is an on-going process that ensures the Library’s collection maintains its effectiveness, quality, currency and integrity.
In general, factors for deselection mirror those used for selection: content, arrangement & style, format and so on.
Additional criteria for deselection
• Physical condition - dirty, tatty or items damaged beyond repair should be discarded.
• Titles that have not been borrowed for two years should be considered for deselection.
• Items that contain outdated or inaccurate information should be removed.
• Items superseded by a new edition should be removed.
• Incomplete sets or series may be withdrawn, depending on the usefulness of the remaining parts of the set or series.
• Duplicate copies in the collection (4 copies of the same title is recommended for older titles)
Material that is withdrawn from stock is not automatically replaced unless it is a standard work, a popular title or subject. Withdrawn items are offered to the subject specialisation library, sold or recycled.
Complaints
All requests for the review of a selection decision shall be submitted in writing to the Regional Librarian. All queried titles will be re-evaluated by senior library staff and if the original decision is still considered to conform to the selection criteria, the title in question will remain on the shelves. If the criticism is considered to be valid, the title will be placed in another collection (such as Stack) or will be withdrawn. All written complaints will be answered. The final decision will rest with the Regional Librarian.
Revision of Policy
This collection development policy should be reviewed on a regular basis to ensure that it meets the goals and objectives of the Library. Revisions should take into consideration changes in the community, the publishing and information industries, economic conditions or the role of the public library.
Acknowledgements
Clarence Regional Library wishes to acknowledge the following libraries whose collection development polices have been of assistance in the review of this document
- Inverell Shire Library
- Central Northern Regional Library
- Canterbury City Library
- Mooreland City Library
Appendix
- ALIA Statement on free access to information
- ALIA Statement on public library services
- Library Council of New South Wales, Access to Information in New South Wales Public Libraries
ALIA Statement on free access to information
ALIA objects addressed
To promote the free flow of information and ideas in the interests of all Australians and a thriving culture and democracy.
Principle
Freedom can be protected in a democratic society only if its citizens have unrestricted access to information and ideas.
Statement
There are several different levels at which the free flow of ideas can be impeded. At the societal level, legislative bodies of all kinds are expected to consider the legal and regulatory frameworks they put in place to support the free flow of information and ideas about the interests and concerns of citizens. At the institutional level, library and information services are expected to encourage the free flow of information and ideas within the scope of their roles and responsibilities. At the individual level, citizens are expected to make informed decisions in exercising their rights and responsibilities.
The Australian Library and Information Association believes that library and information services have particular responsibilities in supporting and sustaining the free flow of information and ideas including:
1. asserting the equal and equitable rights of citizens to information regardless of age, race, gender, religion, disability, cultural identity, language, socioeconomic status, lifestyle choice, political allegiance or social viewpoint;
2. adopting an inclusive approach in developing and implementing policies regarding access to information and ideas that are relevant to the library and information service concerned, irrespective of the controversial nature of the information or ideas;
3. ensuring that their clients have access to information from a variety of sources and agencies to meet their needs and that a citizen’s information needs are met independently of location and an ability to pay;
4. catering for interest in contemporary issues without promoting or suppressing particular beliefs and ideas;
5. protecting the confidential relationships that exist between the library and information service and its clients;
6. resisting attempts by individuals or groups within their communities to restrict access to information and ideas while at the same time recognising that powers of censorship are legally vested in state and federal governments;
7. observing laws and regulations governing access to information and ideas but working towards the amendment of those laws and regulations which inhibit library and information services in meeting the obligations and responsibilities outlined in this Statement.
Adopted 2001
ALIA Statement on free access to informaiton
ALIA objects addressed
To promote the free flow of information and ideas in the interests of all Australians and a thriving culture and democracy.
To promote and improve the services provided by all kinds of library and information agencies.
Principle
Freedom of access to public library and information services is essential to the democratic process and to the social well-being of the Australian community.
Statement
Each member of the Australian community has an equal right to public library and information services regardless of age, race, gender, religion, nationality, language, disability, geographic location, social status, economic status and educational attainment.
A public library services its community through the provision of access to knowledge, information and works of imagination through a range of resources and services. It does this through access to materials in any format in order to meet the needs of individuals and groups for education, information and personal development including recreation and leisure.
Public libraries have an important role in the development and maintenance of a democratic society by giving individuals access to a wide and varied range of information, ideas and opinions.
Public libraries serve as a first point of access for information for the general public and for the public’s access to the national system of library and information services.
The satisfaction of a person’s information needs must be independent of an ability to pay.
Local, state/territory and Commonwealth governments have an obligation to provide public library services to all members of the library’s clientele without direct charge to the user.
Australians resident in rural, regional and remote areas should have access to the library and information services they require at a level comparable to that available to Australians who reside in metropolitan areas.
The Australian Library and Information Association believes that public library services have particular responsibilities to monitor and respond to the changing demographic characteristics and trends of their communities, to consult with their communities and to meet information, learning and recreational needs of an increasingly diverse society. Public library services should ensure that they have policies in place to respond to and meet relevant legislative requirements.
Adopted 2004
Library Council of New South Wales, Access to Information in New South Wales Public Libraries
Guideline
Introduction
This guideline is framed with reference to the Library Act 1939 and the principles expressed in the Australian Library and Information Association Statements on Free Access to Information and Online Content Regulation and the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions Statement on Libraries and Intellectual Freedom.
Policy Statement
The State Library of New South Wales and the statewide network of public libraries provide free and equitable access to information for the people of New South Wales.
Collections
Public libraries develop and maintain collections of resources to meet the information needs and interests of their communities. Libraries have collection development policies and guidelines to assist in the selection of library material.
1. A public library has a role as an unbiased source of information and ideas, including online content. It must accept responsibility for providing free access to materials and information presenting, as far as possible, all points of view on current and historical issues, including controversial issues.
2. Libraries should endeavour to provide access to comprehensive and balanced collections that meet the needs of their communities as far as budget, space and availability of materials allow.
3. Library materials that have not been subject to Federal and State restriction or prohibition should not be excluded from a public library on moral, political, racial, religious, sexist, language, or other sensitive grounds alone. Nor should library materials be included on these grounds alone, whatever pressure may be brought to bear by individuals or groups.
4. The arrangement of the collection should facilitate access. Restricting access to certain titles or classes of materials, eg. by holding them in special collections available on request, can be an indirect form of censorship. No materials should be held in closed access except for the express purpose of protecting them from injury, theft or due to Office of Film and Literature Classification restrictions.1
5. Adult collections should not be limited because of the possibility that materials may fall into the hands of children. Monitoring the reading of children is the responsibility of their parents or guardians.
Library Use
6. Everyone has the right to use a public library whatever their age, sex, race, religion, cultural identity, language, disability, socioeconomic status, individual lifestyle, political allegiance or social views.
7. Library clients must be sensitive to the values and beliefs of others when displaying potentially controversial information or images on computer screens located in public areas (see explanatory note). Where a client is found to be using Library computers to access pornographic, offensive or objectionable material, or for any unlawful purpose, the Library reserves the right to direct the client to leave the Library, to direct that the client not re-enter the Library for a specified period and to report unlawful conduct to the relevant authorities.
8. The Library Council does not support the use of censoring software as it inhibits free access to information (see 3) and it does not provide adequate protection for children from all material that may be harmful on the Internet.
9. The Library Council supports the right and responsibility of parents and guardians to direct the use of the Internet by their children. Parents and guardians who wish to limit or restrict access by their children should personally oversee their use of the Internet and other forms of electronic information.2
Role of Public Librarians
10. Librarians should not exercise censorship in the selection of materials by rejecting, solely on the grounds mentioned in (3), material which is otherwise relevant and which meets the standards of the library concerned.
11. Notwithstanding their opposition to censorship, librarians must strictly observe laws, which may ban or restrict access to certain material.
12. Librarians have a role in educating clients in the safe and informed use of the Internet, guided by acceptable use policies.
The continuous review of library materials is necessary as a means of maintaining a current and useful collection. This procedure should not be used as a means of removing materials presumed to be controversial or disapproved of by sections of the community.
Explanatory note:
The Library Regulation 2005, Section 17(1)(b) states that library users may be directed to leave if the person’s conduct or manner is likely to give offence to any person in the library or to interfere with any other person’s use of the library. This may include accessing websites that may reasonably be considered to offend. Examples may include displaying images of deceased persons which can cause offence to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, or displaying adult content.
Alternatively, there may be legitimate reasons for accessing such material requiring special arrangements to be made with the library staff.
Procedures
It is recommended that public libraries implement procedures to address certain situations or offences that may occur.
These include:
• Under the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Enforcement Act 1995 persons are taken to have publicly exhibited a film or computer game where they have “superintendence of management” of the public place where the exhibition or demonstration takes place. It is advisable that the Library develop appropriate procedures to be observed where clients are found to be accessing material on library computers or on library premises which would otherwise be restricted under this Act.
The suggested procedure is for staff to instruct the client to stop accessing the material. In some circumstances it may be appropriate for staff to contact the relevant authorities. In other circumstances it may be appropriate to suggest that the client accesses the material in a different part of the library not accessible to the general public.
• It is possible that the Library may, as a result of a client’s unlawful internet use, inadvertently come to possess child pornography (if downloaded to a computer drive). Section 91H of the Crimes Act 1900 contains defences that should protect library staff from criminal liability in these circumstances. It is advisable that the Library develop a policy to address circumstances where clients are found to have accessed child pornography.
Such procedures would involve reporting the incident to the NSW Police Force, ensuring that the material is not able to be accessed by other clients using the computer(s), and once advised by the authorities that is appropriate to do so, deleting the material from the Library’s system.
Related documents
Library Regulation 2005
http://www.legislation.nsw.gov.au
Library Council of NSW
Children’s Policy Guidelines for NSW Public Libraries March 2005
http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/pls/policies/pdf/childrens_policy_2005.pdf
ALIA Statement on Free Access to Information http://alia.org.au/policies/free.access.html
ALIA Statement on Online Content Regulation http://www.alia.org.au/policies/content.regulation.html
International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Statement on Libraries and Intellectual Freedom http://www.ifla.org/V/press/pr990326.htm
Library Council of NSW, endorsed 24 April 2006 (updated 27 August 2007)
http://www.sl.nsw.gov.au/pls/policies - Review date: March 2008
Information on this Guideline is available from the State Library of NSW, Public Library Services division.
1 Australian Government Office of Film and Literature Classification http://www.oflc.gov.au/
2 Australian Library and Information Association Guidelines relating to online content regulation http://www.alia.org.au/