Frederick County Public Libraries (FCPL) is responsible for maintaining a collection of materials that reflects the diversity of the community and responds to its changing needs and interests. Collection maintenance is an ongoing process and a core part of the Library’s mission. As the community evolves, the collection evolves with it to serve all people, regardless of origin, age, background, or viewpoint. This policy outlines the principles that guide the development and maintenance of FCPL’s collection, providing a flexible framework for decision-making.
Collection Overview
FCPL maintains a popular collection that represents diverse perspectives and covers a broad range of subjects in both physical and digital formats. Digital formats may include learning databases, ebooks, eaudiobooks, and other downloadable or streaming media.
The Library selects materials to serve people of all races, ethnicities, cultures, national origins, abilities, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and religious or spiritual beliefs. Community demand and usage are the primary factors shaping the collection. Branch collections are shaped in part by customer use through a floating collection system, where items move between locations based on demand. Materials are shelved according to the intended audience regardless of the topic. FCPL does not aim to provide comprehensive or research-level collections and does not duplicate the role of college or specialized institutions.
Materials Selection
Collection decisions are influenced by physical space, item availability, and budget. Within these limits, staff use professional expertise, industry standards, and established criteria see Materials Guidelines to select materials responsibly. Selections are based on principles instead of personal opinions and reflect professional judgment rather than censorship. Final responsibility for selection rests with the Library Director.
Inclusion of an item does not imply endorsement of the author, publisher, or content by the Library. Materials are not excluded based on the possibility that they may be accessed by minors.
Human authorship is the standard for selection. Works created with or by Artificial Intelligence (AI) must meet additional criteria. Those that meet the selection exceptions or which are purchased inadvertently will be labeled accordingly in the catalog.
Digital resources are selected using this same framework. Vendor-provided content on certain platforms, however, may be curated outside the Library’s direct control, and therefore not subject to this policy or associated guidelines.
Laws and Professional Standards
FCPL selects materials in alignment with its Mission, Vision, and strategic priorities, as well as applicable laws and professional standards, including:
- Maryland Freedom to Read Act (COMAR Regulation 14.38.02.01)
- American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights
- ALA’s Freedom to Read and Freedom to View statements
The Library affirms its commitment to intellectual freedom and the First Amendment. Everyone has the right to choose their own materials, and we support families in choosing what material is best for them. No one may restrict others’ access.
The Library Board of Trustees may not dismiss, suspend, discipline, demote, reassign, transfer, or otherwise retaliate against an employee for performing their job duties consistent with these standards or for acting in a manner consistent with the library's written policy implementing the state standards for libraries.
Customer Feedback and Local Authors
FCPL customers may suggest purchases or request reconsideration of materials through the Library’s established processes. Materials put forth for reconsideration will remain available through the review process, and decisions will be reached within a month of submission.
Local authors may submit their work using the Local Author Guidelines and online application form. Outside this process, donated materials are not added to the circulating collection.
All submissions and requests must align with FCPL’s materials selection criteria outlined in this policy and in the Material Selection Guidelines.
Collection Maintenance
The collection is continuously reviewed to remain relevant and useful. The withdrawal of materials is a formal, guided process conducted by library professionals and is necessary to maintain collection vitality, size, and scope. Items may be removed if they are outdated, no longer popular, superseded by a newer edition, or damaged. When considering withdrawal, the Library distinguishes between materials considered controversial and those containing misinformation. Decisions to replace withdrawn materials are made on a case-by-case basis.
Outdated formats may be discontinued, and low-use digital resources may be removed. Withdrawn materials are sold or disposed of according to County guidelines, with proceeds benefiting FCPL.
Special Collections
FCPL may add nontraditional materials to the collection when appropriate, even if they fall outside standard criteria. Decisions to add to the collection are made in alignment with this policy and associated guidelines.
The Maryland Room preserves and provides access to local history and specialized materials, including books, photographs, digital content, and archival items. Topics include genealogy, local and oral history, military history, folklore, and African American studies. Due to their unique nature, these materials do not circulate and are managed under specialized guidelines.
Adopted by the Board of Trustees of Frederick County Public Libraries on 9/2/26.