Collection Development Policy

Mission Statement

The Weymouth Public Libraries support the intellectual, cultural and recreational interests of the Town of Weymouth by offering print and non-print materials, up-to-date technologies, programs and workshops in order to welcome and satisfy the needs of users of all ages and abilities.

Overview of Weymouth

Weymouth is the second oldest township in the Commonwealth, dating back to 1622 when it was founded as the “Wessagusset” colony. Renamed Weymouth in 1635, the Town was boosted in that year by the arrival of 100 settlers from its namesake in England. For almost two hundred years the town was a fishing and agricultural community, evolving into a manufacturing hub for shoes in the late 19th century. Remnants of every era, from colonization to industrialization to suburbanization, are evident in the very shape of the community.

Today, Weymouth is a mature, primarily residential suburb of 53,743 residents located just south of Boston, with close proximity to the crossroads of Route I-93 (128) and Route 3. The community is nicely situated for easy access to Cape Cod and the Greater Boston area. Three MBTA commuter rail stations provide quick transportation into the city, as well. 

Rich in history, Weymouth is home to the birthplace of Abigail Adams, wife to U.S. President John Adams and mother to U.S. President John Quincy Adams. Other local landmarks include the town’s Historic Civic Center District and the architecturally-significant Fogg Library, Jefferson School, and Washington School.

Unlike traditional New England towns, Weymouth has no downtown center. Rather it has four village centers, each featuring its own blend of historic buildings, land use, and open space. Housing in the town consists mostly of single-family homes nestled in established neighborhoods, with several large apartment and condominium complexes interspersed in the villages. Weymouth’s popular recreation areas include Legion Memorial Field, George Lane Beach, the Weymouth Back River, Great Esker Park, Pond Meadow Park, the DCR Connell Memorial Rink and Swimming Pool, and Webb Memorial State Park.  

This Collection Development Policy will:

• Guide the library in selecting a wide variety of materials to support the library’s mission
• Inform the public about the library’s goals in collection development
• Ensure that we maintain a diverse collection that reflects major viewpoints on a variety of subjects
• Ensure that we maintain a wide collection of materials in a variety of formats

General Principles for Selection

1. Materials to be added to the collections of the Weymouth Public Libraries are selected on the merits of a particular work in relation to the needs, interests and demands of this community. Basic to this policy is the Library Bill of Rights, as adopted by the American Library Association. In part, it states:

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.

The Weymouth Public Libraries does not endorse particular beliefs or views, nor is the selection of any given book equivalent to an endorsement of the viewpoint of the author expressed therein.

2. Responsibility for what children and adolescents read rests with their parents or legal guardians.

3. Materials with an emphasis on sex, or containing profane language are not automatically rejected.

4. It is the responsibility of the Weymouth Public Libraries to provide popular reference and research materials for both the diverse general public of Weymouth as well as students at all levels of formal and informal education. However, we will not purchase textbooks.

5. Materials are selected in a variety of formats including physical (hardcover and paperback books, magazines, newspapers, audiobooks, CDs, DVDs) and digital materials (databases, ebooks, eaudiobooks). The library seeks to make popular materials available in a variety of formats.

Specific Principles for Selection

The following principles will help inform selection:

1. Level of funding for materials
2. Relevance to the Weymouth Public Libraries’ mission and service roles
3. In demand items or those recommended by library users
4. Appeal and relevance to community interests
5. Well-reviewed by known professional review sources
6. Authority, accuracy, reputation of author and/or literary merit
7. Importance as a record of the times
8. Relevance to the existing collection’s strengths and weaknesses
9. High standard of quality in content and format
10. Price and availability
11. Format, durability, and ease of use
12. Suitability of format for subject and user’s needs
13. Relevance to the history of Weymouth
14. Importance as an historical record
15. Availability of material elsewhere in this community (through a library in the Old Colony Library Network, Commonwealth Catalog, or Interlibrary Loan)

Specific Criteria for Selection

Adult Materials:

Chief points considered when selecting titles are readability of material, quality of writing, cost, format, existing library holdings and suitability of material to the community. Titles are selected on the basis of the content as a whole and without regard to the personal history of the author. Important books of all persuasions should be carried. In no case are any materials excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.

Fiction titles should represent all types and styles of literature, contribute to an awareness of self and community, or provide reading for recreational purposes. Non-fiction may be excluded for inaccurate information, lack of integrity, sensationalism, intent to incite hatred or intolerance, and text material of too limited or specialized a nature. In the case of controversial questions, variety and balance of opinion are sought wherever available.

Young Adult Materials:

The teen collection consists of material considered to be of particular interest to adolescents, particularly in grades seven through twelve. Materials are selected for this collection to broaden the horizons of teens, help them to cope with the challenges of adolescence, and encourage recreational reading. To fulfill these needs, the collection will inevitably include materials on controversial and/or sensitive topics.

Children’s Materials:

Children’s materials are selected to encourage a joy of reading. Books are selected which offer interest and engagement, cultivate an appreciation of literature, and encourage reading for pleasure. Some attention is given to books of value to parents and teachers, or other adults working with children. The Weymouth Public Libraries does not provide basic texts or materials needed in quantity for school work. However, it provides materials and resources to support the curricular needs of individual students and teachers.

Local History/Special Collections:

The Circulating Local History Collection consists of titles that cover areas of interest in regards to the history of Weymouth and its surrounding towns, as well as some genealogical resources for residents of the area.

The Special Collections, including the Non-Circulating Local History Collection, aim to collect and preserve documents, books, manuscripts, photographs, art, and artifacts relating to local history or of local importance or historical value. The Special Collections Accession and Deaccession Policy describes the purpose, scope of collection, and standards of care governing that collection.

Magazines and Newspapers:

The Weymouth Public Libraries selects popular, general informational, and scholarly magazines to meet the needs of library users. Newspapers are selected to meet reference and research needs of patrons, to provide current information, and to satisfy casual interest in current events. Local and National newspapers are supplied upon sufficient demand and within budget and space limitations.

Other Physical Materials:

CDs, DVDs and other audio and video formats will be selected in accordance with criteria outlined for adult, young adult and children’s materials. In addition, equipment may be selected for circulation for which the cost per use may be unreasonably high for a single household to purchase.

Digital Materials:

Weymouth Public Libraries recognizes the importance and growing demand of digital materials. Databases and digital content, including materials for download or streaming, are purchased from several vendors. These materials are purchased in accordance with criteria outlined for physical materials. However, in many cases the library is purchasing access to a collection of pre-selected material. Some electronic resources are selected by the Old Colony Library Network and the Massachusetts Library System and shared with their member libraries.

Gifts and Donations

Gifts accepted by the Weymouth Public Libraries, including memorials and honoraria, are evaluated on the same basis as purchased materials. Library users should understand that such factors as duplication, lack of community interest, processing costs or inadequate shelf space may prevent their addition to the collection. Any gift given to the library is considered a transfer of property and becomes subject to the policies of library property. Gifts are accepted with the understanding that the library, if it cannot use them, may at any time dispose of them in any way it sees fit. Any conditions proposed to a gift must be formally accepted by the Director of Library Services and the Board of Library Trustees. No conditions may be imposed relation to any gift after its acceptance by the library. For further donation guidelines, please refer to the Special Collections Accession and Deaccession Policy.

Request for Reconsideration of Materials

Any Weymouth resident or person with a physical OCLN library card connected to an active account who has a concern about material in the collection may complete the Request for Reconsideration Form available on the Weymouth Public Libraries’ website or at the Circulation Desk. Once completed, the request will be reviewed by the Director of Library Services. When reviewing a request for reconsideration, the Director will consider the criteria listed in the "General Principles for Selection" and "Specific Principles for Selection" sections of this policy.

Removal of Materials

Materials are withdrawn regularly in accordance with the criteria for selection. Stolen or damaged materials may be replaced when deemed necessary. Library staff utilize professional standards when determining items for withdrawal.

Revised and Approved by the Weymouth Public Libraries Board of Trustees on April 6, 2022