The responsibility for the selection of books and other materials is delegated by the Library Director to a Materials Selection Committee composed of librarians.  Each committee member is responsible for one or more subject areas or special collections.  Overall development of the Library's collection is supervised by the Collection Development Coordinator, who serves as Chairman of the Materials Selection Committee.  Other staff members and library patrons may suggest materials for consideration by the Committee.

In selecting materials to meet the needs of the community served by the Scottsdale Public Library, an attempt is made to find critical reviews, which are the best source for evaluating the author's expertise on the subject and the content, style, format and value of the book.  A favorable review or recommendation from a recognized reviewing source or a librarian is necessary before fiction or material on a controversial subject is selected.  Best-sellers and anticipated best-sellers or popular titles are purchased in multiple copies as determined by popular demand and advance publicity.  Books written to trade on sensationalism usually are not added.  If a book appears on the best seller list and there is a substantial citizen demand, the book may be selected without a favorable review.  Materials on all sides of topical issues may be found in the Library so that citizens may be fully informed. Scottsdale Public Library subscribes to the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read statement, and therefore has a responsibility to protect the rights of mature and sophisticated readers. Citizens are welcome to offer suggestions or recommendations for additions to the Library's collection.

The Collection Development Coordinator is responsible for overall book selection and collection development for the library system and assists in developing and revising policies concerning these matters. This person acts as Chairman of the Materials Selection Committee, allocates the book budget, monitors the monthly book expenditures to insure the budget is expended on time, and assigns selection responsibilities for Civic Center Library. Individual branches will be responsible for selecting retrospective branch materials, and the Collection Development Coordinator will monitor these selections. Branch libraries are responsible for allocating their respective book budget and assigning selection responsibilities. Budget allocations, selection, and collection maintenance in any facility is the responsibility of the designated librarian. Other specific responsibilities are described in the following collection development policies.

Patron Complaints on Material

The Scottsdale Public Library subscribes to the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement. Materials which have been selected or excluded on the principles indicated in the Library's Materials Selection Policy may be reevaluated upon special request.

A citizen objecting to a book or other material at the Library is requested to complete the form, "Patron's Request for Reconsideration of Library Material." This form is available by request at any library facility. When the written complaint is received, the Collection Development Coordinator will assign three members of the Materials Selection Committee to review the complaint and the questioned material. If possible, their written reports and recommendations will be presented at the next scheduled meeting of the Committee. The committee's recommended action will be referred to the Library Director for approval. An assigned staff member will write a letter of reply explaining the approved action taken and submit it to the Library Director for signature.