Mission Statement

The mission of the Library is to provide the means by which people of all ages,
interests, and circumstances may avail themselves of the recorded wisdom, experiences, and ideas of others.

In support of this mission, materials are assembled, organized, and made accessible to all: opportunities for personal, educational, cultural, and recreational enrichment are offered; collections, services, and programs are developed to respond to individual and community needs; a knowledgeable staff is employed to facilitate and enhance the use of library resources. By committing themselves to excellence in all facets of the library’s service and operation, the Library Advisory Board, management, and staff of the library reaffirm the democratic ideals upon which the American public library is founded.
The Mae S. Bruce Library provides materials and services to support the informational and educational needs of the residents of Santa Fe. Its objectives include to provide a varied selection of books and materials; to provide assistance in the use of these materials; and to provide service for people in their search for greater understanding and knowledge, in acquiring reliable information, and in the exploration of a more secure and creative pattern for living.

A knowledge of the community is a vital ingredient in the responsible selection of library materials. Selection must take into account residents’ interests, abilities, and the demographic and geographic make-up of the community.
Selection and purchase of library materials rests with the library director who may delegate some responsibilities to other staff members. Staff will adhere to accepted professional practices when making selection decisions. The recreational, educational, and informational needs of the community will be considered in selecting materials.
Before the beginning of each budget year, the director will determine how limited funds will be allocated among the major collection subdivisions (e.g., adult non-fiction, fiction, youth collection, reference, periodicals, non-print). Circulation statistics and counts of in-house use of materials will be maintained to assist in decision making. Average cost per item, reviews in library and publishing journals, and patron recommendations will also be considered in allocating funds.

Materials will be selected based on positive reviews in professional journals or actual examination and evaluation of materials. Instead of reviews, popular demand (bestsellers, school bibliographies, local interest) may be used as the criterion for selection of materials. Items that must be updated every year may be placed on standing order list to ensure timely delivery. Suggestions from the community for items to be considered for purchase are strongly encouraged, but materials must meet selection criteria.

The Mae S. Bruce Library does not attempt to acquire textbooks that support local curricula, but may acquire textbooks for general use by the public. Multiple copies of popular books (e.g., bestsellers, resume guides, tax preparation) may be purchased to meet demand. Paperback books will be purchased when available to meet short-term demand. The Library will attempt to have information available in a variety of formats ( book, non-book, pamphlet, magazines, etc.) when available and practical. Generally, only one copy of materials in other formats (video, compact disk, cassette, computer programs) will be purchased unless long-term high demand is anticipated. Video and audio recordings will be selected for potential long-term use to meet general interests. Regardless of an item’s popularity, the Library may choose not to select it, because its format is not durable enough (e.g., pop-up books, comic books) to withstand reasonable library use, because it is inappropriate for library use (for example, consumable workbooks), or it would require excessive staff time to maintain.
Basic to the Library’s Materials Selection Policy is the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read Statement, which are included.

Objections to items in the collection should be made in writing to the Library director. (See also the “Request for Reconsideration of Materials” policy.) Materials that no longer meet the needs of the community and no longer support the library’s collection will be withdrawn and disposed of in accordance with the Library’s “Deselection of Materials” policy.



Approved by the Library Advisory Board –July, 2007
Approved by the Santa Fe City Council –July, 2007