Collections in non-print format will meet the general selection criteria described in the Collection Development and Materials Selection Policies and will strive to provide a broad spectrum of titles of current interest and classical value.

Non-print formats are selected based on demand, cost, quality, space considerations, viability of format and the technology required to support it. As changes occur in technology, materials and formats will be added to or removed from the collection to keep the collection current, useful, and appealing. 

Sanilac District Library strives for a reasonable balance and variety of materials in the collection for both children and adults. The Library Board and staff take no responsibility for the content of the collection.  The collection consists of a variety of formats as necessary to meet the needs of the community. The following outlines specific criteria of various non-print collections.

Visual Materials

Movies are funded by movie rental fees. This collection consists of both feature films and non-fiction materials.

Feature films will be purchased to satisfy the public's need for recreational materials and to serve differing tastes and interests. Given budgetary limitations it is impossible to fully meet public demand for high-interest feature films.  Classics, movies with long-term appeal, popular features, musicals, award winners, as well as other broad-based genres will be included.  Special attention may be given to works that have been adapted from books or that are considered classic. Popular, ephemeral music videos will not be purchased. Consideration may be given to availability of replacements of pieces in multipart sets. Subject matter should be appropriate for home use and should not duplicate materials provided through local educational institutions and other organizations. 

The movie collection will include films with an MPAA rating of G, PG, PG 13, or R.  NC-17 and X rated films will not be included in the Library's collection. Lack of a rating will not necessarily be cause for exclusion. 

Serialized television shows must meet general selection criteria for consideration. Public demand, availability elsewhere, cost, number of episodes and length of series will factor in the selection decision.

Nonfiction materials include educational and instructional titles. Nonfiction works are purchased when the format provides an effective or appropriate way of presenting information.  All general subjects in the Dewey classification system may be acquired with particular emphasis upon cooking, travel, exercise, parenting, how-to (including crafts, hobbies and home repair), history (including current events), made for television documentaries, art, performance arts and sports videos. However, not all subject matters may be equally represented, as some subjects are more frequently represented in visual formats (e.g. exercise) while others are not (e.g. poetry.)

Audio Materials

Audio Books

The Library’s primary purpose is to provide public access to spoken recordings of original print material that is appropriate to the audio format.  The following materials may be purchased by the Library:  works of fiction, nonfiction, drama, foreign language,     instructional and self-improvement topics with a broad range of appeal to our users. Preference will be given to unabridged materials.

The Library will not attempt to duplicate services offered by the Library of Congress or the Library of Michigan, Library for the Blind and Physically Handicapped. (See Service to the Blind And Physically Handicapped Policy)

Electronic Formats: Software

Library policy (as well as necessity) requires the purchase of computer software designed to operate with hardware the Library currently owns.  Current Library policy is to purchase software of educational or practical value to the public.   Ease of use, timeliness of updates, licensing restrictions, remote access, technical support, hardware/software requirements, subscription management issues and return on investment are also considered before purchase. Current copyright laws forbid the purchase of software for the purpose of circulation, unless it has been donated to the public domain.

Games may have additional selection considerations as follows:

Ease of use and installation, availability of technical support, popularity of platform, hardware/software requirements and proper licensing for circulation.

Format Changes

Over time, decisions may be made to favor one format over another or to phase out a particular format. Factors in this decision include availability of players for a particular format, cost of the format, market penetration, and availability of title in one format or another. Space and budgetary constraints may contribute to the decision to eliminate one format in favor of another or to shift concentration from one format to another. Examples of these shifts in format include LPs, cassettes, videocassettes, audio books on tape versus CD or MP3, and children’s media kits with tapes.

Other formats may be added to the collection in order to improve and enhance our services. Sanilac District Library may also take advantage of new products and technologies as they emerge and which might be unknown at this time.