The Video Selection Policy is subject to, and part of, the Materials Selection Policy of the Niagara Falls Public Library Board.

The library collects VHS videocassettes to supplement the print and non-print collections and to provide information which may not be available in any other format.

1. Goals

1. The collection should be well-balanced, serving the needs of the entire community. Materials will be selected for all ages and all levels of comprehension.
2. Selection will be based on informational, educational, instructional and recreational value with an emphasis on Canadian material.
3. Materials will be considered in terms of timeliness, demand, quality and authority.
4. The collection will represent all sides of a wide range of issues.

2. Selection Responsibility

Decisions relating to the selection and purchase of videos will be the responsibility of the Manager of Technical Services.

3. Composition of Collection

Materials selection is guided by a general design to maintain an equitable division based on circulation and demand. Approximately 35 % of the collection will consist of family and children's videos ; 35 % of the collection will be informational, instructional, recreational, cultural and educational videos ; and 30 % of the collection will be videos for adults representing classics, international and contemporary cinema. A DVD collection will be started in 2003 with the majority of titles to be international and contemporary cinema, classics and DVDs that have been well received in the popular and critical media. (Approved October 16 2002)

4. Subject Categories

Video programs will be selected from the following categories to reflect the interests of children, young adults and adults:

1. Informational and educational : to include the world of nature, the environment, the sciences, biography, history and economic, political and social issues.
2. Instructional and recreational : to include self-help, sports and recreation, crafts, business, health, cooking, travel how-to, etc.
3. Cultural : to include the world of art, music, drama, dance and literature.
4. Cinema : to include films from the international and contemporary cinema, classics, and television programs.
5. Niagara : Titles which are about or set in the Niagara area, or with other local significance such as a Niagara director or cast member, are collected. Niagara material may be designated Local History Collection and not available for borrowing.

5. Selection Criteria

A.  Materials selected will meet high standards in quality, content and expression.

Criteria:

1. content - present and potential relevance to community needs
2. entertainment value
3. demand in the community
4. accuracy and depth of coverage
5. organization
6. quality of presentation
7. picture quality
8. sound quality
9. appropriateness for intended audience
10. Canadian content
11. presentation of all sides of controversial issues where possible
12. importance as a video of the times
13. insight into the human, social, cultural and psychological condition
14. strengths and weaknesses of the current collection
15. purchase price

B.  Acceptance level of quality will be determined by: 

1. opinion of qualified reviewers in recognized, authoritative, review sources
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2. recognition by prizes, awards, lists of bestseller and notable videos, etc.
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3. longevity of appeal for reissued materials

6. Controversial Materials

The Niagara Falls Public Library recognizes that some videos may be regarded by certain individuals or groups as controversial, whether because of bias, frankness or language, political expression, or moral implication. Selection will not be made on the basis of anticipated approval or disapproval by any individual or group in the community, but rather on the evaluation of the video's literary merit, authenticity, honesty of presentation, topical interest and use to the audience for whom it is intended. The primary aim of materials selection is to establish a balanced collection which adequately represents various points of view on many subjects. See also the Materials Selection Policy, especially sections about intellectual freedom, legislation and the selection process.

7. Weeding

In order to maintain an active, up-to-date and useful collection, it is important to continuously examine video materials in terms of relevance to user needs and selection criteria.

Criteria for weeding:

1. Wornout : The shelf life for a VHS video is usually 1 to 5 years with an average of 100 circulations.
2. Duplicated : Consider for withdrawal multiple copies or videos containing material which is duplicated in more current releases.
3. Uncirculated : Items not circulated at all within the last 2 years or less than 5 times in the last 5 years, should be considered for removal.
4. Superseded : Consider for withdrawal material that is misleading or no longer factually accurate, or that has been superseded by a truly new edition or a much better video on the subject.

8. DVD and Video Classification Guidelines

The library selects films with  DVD and video classifications of the Canadian Home Video Rating System
summarized as following:

G : Suitable for viewing by all ages
PG : Parental guidance advised
14A : Suitable for people 14 years of age or older
18A : Suitable for people 18 years of age or older
Restricted: Occasionally Restricted DVDs may be purchased on artistic merits and are restricted to people 18 years and older and are not suitable for minors.

9. Performance Rights

The performance rights (Home use, Public Performance) will be clearly marked on all video containers and bibliographic records. Videos for home use are collected for popular entertainment and in such subject areas as cooking, home improvement, sports, nature, handicrafts, travel, job search, hobbies and fitness. Public performance rights titles are collected for children's programming as well as social topics such as health, the environment, business and parenting.

10. Replacements

Titles are not automatically replaced because they are weeded, lost or damaged. The replacement criteria are: 

• Demand for title
• Number of copies already held
• Existing coverage of the subject/genre in the collection
• Availability of more current materials on the subject
• Age and topic
• Purchase price

11. Donations

The library is pleased to receive gifts of money or videos from individuals or groups. The same criteria for selection will be applied to donated materials as are applied to all other videos considered for inclusion in the collection. The library will not accept materials that are not outright gifts. Donated materials will be used or disposed of as the library sees fit.

12. Note

VHS videocassettes are currently collected. Staff will monitor developments in new technology which may supplement and/or complement the current VHS video collection.

Approved by the Niagara Falls Public Library Board February 21, 2001
Revised October 16 2002
Reviewed October 20, 2004
Date of last review March 21 2007.