Library Information & Services

The Veterinary Medical Library provides our College of Veterinary Medicine patrons with access to relevant, and up-to-date, information resources. Our goal is to ensure availability to high quality research as well as provide services that enable our patrons to excel in presentations, organization, and continuation of academic research and successes. Some library and research services are available to our community and non-university patrons, as well.

CVM Student Services

The Veterinary Medical Library strives to grant extensive, and substantial, access to high-quality research services to our veterinary students in order to assist in their professional program. Additionally, our library provides many options for collaborative spaces, quiet study and other services to best facilitate every students' needs.

CVM Faculty Services

The staff at the Veterinary Medical Library provides assistance to CVM faculty by customizing a variety of library services to support scholarly and research activities.

Non-university Patrons

As a member of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM), the Veterinary Medical Library (VML) is committed to providing equitable access to health information for both our university community and the public. Because we operate within a secure, closed-campus environment and serve a diverse patron population, we have established specific policies to ensure safe, consistent, and appropriate use of our spaces and resources. These guidelines help us maintain a welcoming, supportive environment for all visitors while upholding the security, privacy, and operational needs of the College of Veterinary Medicine. The following policies outline expectations and procedures for non-university patrons during their visit to the VML.

As a proud member of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM), the Veterinary Medical Library (VML) welcomes public patrons Monday through Friday, 8:00am--5:00pm. As both an academic and public library, we maintain specific policies to support safe, equitable, and professional use of our spaces and services.

Hours
The VML is open to the general public Monday - Friday, 8:00am - 5:00pm. We are closed on university holidays and observed breaks. Please visit our Library Hours page for the most current schedule.

Building Access
The College of Veterinary Medicine (CVM) is a closed campus. All exterior and interior doors require authorized CVM badge access. Non-university patrons must check in at the Trotter Hall visitor counter (first floor). After check-in, a VML staff member will escort patrons to the library and accompany them throughout the building.

CVM Campus Security
Because the CVM campus remains locked to outside visitors, all non-university patrons must be escorted at all times.

Required Procedures:

Check in at the first-floor visitor counter before entering the library.
A library staff member will escort patrons to and from the VML.
When finished, patrons must notify the VML library desk so a staff member can escort them back to the main entrance.
Any non-university patron found unescorted in the facility will be asked to leave immediately.

These protocols help maintain the safety, privacy, and security of the CVM community, hospital, and research spaces.

Library Use
Non-university patrons may use all public spaces within the VML except rooms 421, 420, 419, and 417, which are restricted.

Borrowing Materials:

Non-university patrons may check out items for 30 days, with up to 11 renewals unless the item is recalled.

Printing
VML printers are reserved for CVM faculty, staff, and students. However, non-university patrons may print using the following options:

Use the free guest computers to send documents to our main library email for staff-assisted printing.
Utilize Print Graphics Center, which offers services from document printing to large-format posters and everything between.

Payment options include card, cash, or check.

After-Hours Access
All non-university patrons must exit the library by 5:00pm. Unescorted public patrons are not permitted in the facility after 5:00pm on weekdays or at any time on weekends.

Transgressions and Conduct Expectations
The Veterinary Medical Library reserves the right to remove any patron who violates library policies, university policies, or engages in a manner that disrupts safety, operations, or the learning environment.

Children in the VML
Children are welcome under the following conditions:

Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult to enter the library.
Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult at all times and may not use library services or spaces without an adult present.
All materials must be checked out using a parent or guardian's account, unless above the age of 18.
No minor under 18 may be left unattended in the VML at any time.
Due to the nature of the CVM environment, children who are disruptive, destructive, or unsafe will be asked to leave

Technology Access
All publicly accessible technology within the VML is available for use by non-university patrons, subject to our standard technology and computer-use policies.

Code of Conduct
All patrons must maintain a respectful, quiet, and professional environment. The following expectations apply:

Be respectful of others' study and work needs.
Follow staff directions at all times.
Avoid disruptive noise or behavior.
Maintain cleanliness and care when using library spaces and equipment.
Refrain from any behavior that threatens safety, violates privacy, or disrupts operations.
Food and drink are permitted within the library as long as they: do not leave a mess, are covered containers (especially drinks), and are not used while using VML library materials and electronics.

Photography and Recording
To protect privacy and sensitive research environments:

Photography or video recording within the CVM facilities, including the VML, is not permitted without prior authorization and consent forms from all parties that will be within the photographs or video.
Recording of staff, students, hospital areas, study rooms, or other patrons is strictly prohibited.

Requests for permission may be submitted to library administration.

Reference and Research Assistance
VML staff are happy to provide brief assistance to non-university patrons, including help with:

Locating materials
Using library computers or databases
Navigating health information resources

However, in-depth research support, systematic review assistance, and specialized veterinary research services are reserved for CVM faculty, staff, and students. Special requests can be sent to the Library Director's email: aparrish@vet.k-state.edu.

Computer Use and Internet Policy

Guest computers provide access to internet resources for educational and informational use.
Illegal activity, inappropriate content, or violation of university IT policies is prohibited.
Computer sessions may be time-limited during peak hours.
Users may not install software, alter computer settings, or attempt to access restricted systems.

Personal Belongings

Personal items may not be left unattended.
The VML is not responsible for lost, stolen, or unattended items.
Belongings left unattended may be removed for safety and security purposes.

Food and Drink
VML food and drink guidelines apply to all patrons:

Drinks must have lids.
Food should be minimal, non-disruptive, and not likely to damage materials or equipment.
Patrons must clean up after themselves and dispose of trash in appropriate receptacles.

Emergency Procedures
In the event of an emergency (fire alarm, severe weather, shelter-in-place, or campus alerts), non-university patrons must:

Immediately follow all instructions from VML or CVM staff.
Remain with their library escort unless directed otherwise.
Proceed with staff to designated safety locations.

Accessibility and Accommodations
We strive to ensure equitable access for all patrons. Non-university visitors who require accommodations or have accessibility concerns may contact the VML prior to their visit or notify staff upon arrival. Staff will work with campus partners to provide appropriate support whenever possible.

Technology Equipment Checkout

Multimedia equipment may be checked out with a valid CVM Faculty, Staff, or Student ID.

Library Collections

The general collection of books and journals encompasses veterinary medicine, basic biomedical sciences, and selected works in clinical medicine. The Veterinary Medical Library subscribes to over 500 journals, has access to over 90,000 electronic journals via K-State's Libraries system, and strives to maintain comprehensive coverage of English-language veterinary medical titles. This core collection is supplemented with key resources from human medicine and additional subject areas that reflect faculty research interests, expertise, and teaching needs. New journal issues are shelved via the Library of Congress call number system within our Stacks location.

The library maintains a dynamic and relevant book collection through several acquisition strategies. All veterinary medical titles from major U.S. publishers are received automatically, and the collection includes human medical works recommended for small medical libraries. Faculty requests and recommendations, reviewed by the College of Veterinary Medicine Library Committee, also help guide new purchases. While new books are no longer displayed weekly, the library now features a monthly rotating exhibit, Vet Med on a Theme, highlighting selected titles and topics of current interest.

Additional Information

This section provides expanded guidance on the policies and procedures that support the Veterinary Medical Library’s daily operations and service commitments. Here, patrons will find details on standard and exceptional loan periods, fines and fees, renewals, recalls, and other circulation practices, as well as information about our collection development approach and procedures such as the Request for Reconsideration. As the VML continues to refine and enhance its services, this section will grow to include new and updated policies designed to ensure transparent, consistent, and patron-focused library operations.

Section 1: Purpose & Rationale

The Veterinary Medical Library (VML) upholds the core principles of the Library Bill of Rights (Appendix A), the Freedom to Read Statement (Appendix B), and recognizes its role in protecting the First Amendment, supporting a democratic society, and fostering a creative culture that allows for the free exchange of ideas, even those that may be unpopular or controversial. As both an academic health sciences library and a public-serving member of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM), the VML is committed to transparency in its collection development and reconsideration policies.

This policy exists to ensure that:

The VML’s collections reflect the diversity of views and breadth of knowledge necessary for scholarly inquiry and informed citizenship.
Requests for reconsideration of library materials are handled through a consistent, transparent, and equitable process.
Individual autonomy, unrestricted access, and the right to privacy in the use of library materials are preserved.
All materials are evaluated within the context of academic and intellectual freedom, neutrality, evidence-based access, and inclusion, while ensuring the safety and integrity of the community.

The VML acknowledges that its collections may include sensitive, graphic, or controversial content, particularly within the disciplines of human and animal health. The presence of such material is guided by the Library’s Collection Development Policy, which emphasizes educational, research, and clinical relevance rather than endorsement of specific viewpoints.

Section 2: Scope & Applicability

This policy applies to all collections, materials, and resources housed or managed by the Veterinary Medical Library (VML) at Kansas State University. The VML serves as both an academic health sciences library and a public-serving member of the National Network of Libraries of Medicine (NNLM).

Materials Covered

This policy applies to all VML materials, regardless of format or medium, including but not limited to:

Print and electronic books, journals, monographs, serials, and periodicals
Children’s and young adult titles, both fiction and nonfiction
Reference works (e.g., dictionaries, atlases, dosage manuals, compendiums, reports)
Audiovisual and multimedia materials
Digital and web-based content, including LibGuides and websites
Displays, exhibits, and artwork curated or hosted within the library

Materials Excluded from Reconsideration

The following are excluded from reconsideration:

Course materials, including articles, specimens, or equipment
Materials mandated by accreditation or licensing standards
Institutional publications, such as newsletters or reports
Archived and historical records, including the medicinal cabinet and donated veterinary tools

Eligible Complainants

Requests for reconsideration may be submitted only by individuals with borrowing privileges or on-site access to the VML, as defined in Section 3.

Jurisdiction

This policy applies solely to the Veterinary Medical Library and not to other branch libraries or Kansas State University Libraries as a whole.

Note: While the Veterinary Medical Library aligns with the values and ethical standards of Kansas State University Libraries, it maintains its own policies appropriate to the specialized needs of the College of Veterinary Medicine and its NNLM public-service role.

Section 3: Definitions

Contested Material / Challenged Material
Used interchangeably to refer to any item, resource, or display for which a patron or authorized user requests review.

Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials
A formal written request submitted in person, using the official library form, to review a specific item.

Library Committee at the College of Veterinary Medicine (Library Committee)
A standing committee of 3–5 members, including the Library Director, composed of faculty representatives from departments such as Anatomy & Physiology, Diagnostic Medicine/Pathobiology, the Veterinary Health Center, and others.

Temporary Restriction
Temporary removal or limited access to material during review, applied only when an item poses an immediate risk to safety, biosecurity, or confidentiality.

Review Period
A 45-day period from acknowledgment of receipt to committee recommendation.

Final Decision
The determination made jointly by the Library Director and Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine following committee review.

Borrowing Privileges
Authorization for K-State faculty, staff, students, or affiliates, and State of Kansas Library Card holders.

Patrons with borrowing privileges may access physical resources and submit reconsideration requests.

Only K-State affiliates may access licensed e-resources due to vendor restrictions.

Collection Development Policy
The guiding framework for selection, evaluation, and management of all library materials.

Sensitive Materials
Content that includes graphic or explicit medical, anatomical, or psychological information, retained for its scholarly and clinical value.

Reconsideration Outcome
The result of review—retain, reclassify, relocate, or remove.

The Freedom to Read Statement
A joint statement of the American Library Association (ALA) and the Association of American Publishers (AAP) asserting that the freedom to read is essential to a democratic society and must be protected against censorship, suppression, or ideological restriction. The Veterinary Medical Library endorses this statement as a guiding framework for collection development, access policies, and reconsideration procedures. The full text of the Freedom to Read Statement is provided in Appendix B.

Library Bill of Rights
A foundational document of the American Library Association (ALA) affirming that libraries are committed to providing materials representing diverse points of view, resisting censorship, and upholding equitable access to information for all patrons. The Veterinary Medical Library adopts and adheres to these principles as part of its commitment to intellectual freedom and academic integrity. The full text of the Library Bill of Rights is provided in Appendix A.

Section 4: Policy Statement

The VML affirms its commitment to the freedom of inquiry, expression, and access to information as essential to academic integrity and democratic participation. Guided by the First Amendment, the ALA Library Bill of Rights (Appendix A), and the Freedom to Read Statement (Appendix B), the VML upholds the right of individuals to seek and interpret information freely without restriction to the information.

Materials are selected based on scholarly, clinical, historical, and informational merit, consistent with the Collection Development Policy. Items will not be removed or restricted solely because of partisan, doctrinal, or personal objections.

Some materials may contain graphic or sensitive content, relevant to veterinary and medical education. Such materials are provided for educational and research purposes and will not be restricted unless required by law, safety regulations, or university policy.

All requests are reviewed with impartiality and transparency. Final determinations are made jointly by the Library Director and the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, following the recommendation of the Library Committee.

This policy aligns with Kansas State University’s Statement on Academic Freedom, (specifically University Handbook, Section D: Privileges, Benefits & Conduct under “D10 Academic Freedom” and University Handbook, Appendix C: Academic Freedom and Tenure “1940 Statement of Principles”) ensuring that library practices reflect a commitment to intellectual diversity, scholarly inquiry, and open discourse.

Section 5: Procedures

The Veterinary Medical Library maintains a formal, transparent process to ensure due process, fairness, and accountability in all reconsideration cases. Materials remain available during review unless they pose an immediate safety or confidentiality risk.

Step 1: Submission

Requests must be submitted in person using the official form, directly to the Library Director, or to the Collections Specialist Librarian if the Director is unavailable.
Anonymous or electronically submitted requests are invalid.
A separate form is required for each item.
Individuals submitting a Request for Reconsideration must have read, viewed, or otherwise engaged with the material in full. Requests must identify the specific aspects or sections of the work being contested and demonstrate that concerns are based on a complete understanding of the material.

Step 2: Acknowledgment

The Library Director acknowledges receipt within 3–5 business days, outlining the review process and timeline.

Step 3: Review

The Library Committee reviews the material using criteria defined in Section 6.
The review period shall not exceed 45 days.
Materials remain accessible unless they pose a safety or confidentiality risk.

Step 4: Committee Recommendation and Final Decision

The Committee issues a written recommendation to retain, reclassify, relocate, or remove the item.
- Retain:
  To keep the material in the collection without changes. “Retain” indicates that the material meets the standards of the Collection Development Policy and does not warrant modification. Retained materials remain in their current location and classification unless routine cataloging updates are required.
- Reclassify:
  To assign the material a different subject classification or call number to better reflect its content, purpose, or audience. Reclassification may occur when:
  - The material’s content is more accurately aligned with another subject area;
  - The existing classification could cause confusion or misrepresentation;
  - Updated cataloging standards or veterinary/medical subject headings warrant change.

Reclassification does not limit access. The item remains available for circulation and discovery in the online catalog. Examples include: 1) moving a general public-health title from a clinical classification to a community health classification; 2) updating Library of Congress (LoC) classification based on new Medical Subject Headings (MeSH) or Veterinary Medical Subject Headings (VetMeSH) terms.

- Relocate:
  To move the material to a more appropriate physical placement in the library based on its subject matter, intended use, or sensitivity level. Relocation addresses shelving context, not censorship. Possible relocation destinations include:
  - General Circulating Collection (Monographs / VETM)
  - Reference Collection (if the material is best used in-library only)
  - Oversize Collection (due to physical format)
  - Historical Collection and/or Special Collections – only used for outdated, rare, archival, or primary-source veterinary items
  - Children’s and Young Adult Collections (for juvenile titles)
  - Clinical Reading Areas (materials frequently referenced by clinicians; typically within VETM, VETRESERVE, VETREF, or VETPER/VETSER)
  - Display/Exhibit Spaces (if the item functions as visual, historical, or educational exhibit material)

Important: Relocation shall never be used to segregate or hide materials based on viewpoint, controversy, or patron discomfort. It is used only to correct shelving alignment or to fit the material’s function.

- Remove:
  To withdraw the material from the active collection entirely. Removal may occur only when a material:
  - Poses a demonstrable safety, biosecurity, confidentiality, or legal risk;
  - Is determined to contain egregiously inaccurate or harmful medical information that could endanger teaching, research, or patient care;
  - Violates university policies, accreditation standards, or legal requirements;
  - Is so damaged or deteriorated that it is unusable and cannot be replaced or repaired;
  - Has been superseded by safer, accurate, or more appropriate editions when acting strictly under collection maintenance guidelines, not due to viewpoint.
Removal Process:
Removed items may be:
- Transferred to a different collection or to our off-site storage facility (Annex), only when appropriate;
- Returned to the donating entity (if required by donor agreement);
- Withdrawn and disposed of according to K-State’s Libraries’ withdrawal and surplus procedures;
- Replaced with a newer or more accurate edition when appropriate.

Removal must never occur solely due to content that is controversial, graphic, or politically unpopular.

The Library Director and Dean jointly issue a final written decision.
The requester receives written notice of the outcome and rationale.

Step 5: Appeals

Appeals must be filed in writing within 15 business days to the Dean (see Section 7).

Step 6: Recordkeeping

The VML maintains confidential internal records and a public summary log (see Section 8).

Section 6: Evaluation Criteria

All materials under reconsideration are evaluated according to the Collection Development Policy, the Freedom to Read Statement, and the Library Bill of Rights.

The Library Committee shall assess each item based on:

Scholarly and educational relevance
Accuracy and evidence-based integrity
Authority and credibility
Historical or cultural significance
Representation of diverse perspectives
Intended audience and purpose
Contribution to teaching, learning, or research
Quality of presentation
Legal, ethical, and safety considerations
Demand and use data

Invalid Grounds for Removal

Materials will not be removed solely due to political, religious, or ideological disagreement; discomfort with medical imagery; offensive language within context; or personal beliefs unrelated to scholarly accuracy or safety.

Section 7: Appeals Process

Appeals ensure fairness and due process for all reconsideration requests.

Eligibility for Appeal: Only the original requester may file an appeal. Individuals submitting an appeal must have read, viewed, or otherwise engaged with the entire material in full. Appeals must identify the specific sections, themes, or elements of the material being contested and articulate how the entire work is believed to conflict with library policy, educational value, or safety standards. General objections, excerpts read in isolation, or challenges based on portion-only review will not be considered valid grounds for appeal.
Submission: Appeals must be submitted in person, in writing to the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine within 15 business days of the decision.
Review: The Dean, in consultation with the Library Director, will review whether the process was followed correctly and if further consideration is warranted.
Decision: The Dean and Library Director will jointly issue a final written decision within 45 days. This decision is final and binding.
Recordkeeping: All appeal documentation is retained per university records policy.

Section 8: Recordkeeping and Transparency

The VML maintains accurate, secure records of all reconsideration requests and appeals to ensure accountability while preserving confidentiality.

Internal Recordkeeping

Confidential files include all request forms, correspondence, committee recommendations, and final decisions.
Records are maintained per Kansas State University Records Retention policies.
Access is restricted to the Library Director, Collections Specialist Librarian, and Dean.

Public Summary Log

A public log lists only titles, authors, dates, and final outcomes.
No identifying information about requesters or staff is included.
The log will appear on the VML website or in the annual report.

Reporting and Review

The Library Director shall report annually to the Dean on reconsideration activities.
This policy may be updated to remain in compliance with university, ALA, and legal standards.

Preservation of Institutional Integrity

All documentation and communication will uphold the principles of intellectual freedom, academic transparency, and patron privacy.

The Veterinary Medical Library’s review process remains free from external influence and aligned with the ethical standards of both the American Library Association and Kansas State University.

Section 9: Policy Review and Revision Schedule

The Veterinary Medical Library (VML) will review and update this policy on a three-year cycle, or more frequently if required by changes in university policy, accreditation standards, legal requirements, or professional guidelines. The Library Director, in consultation with the Library Committee and the Dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, is responsible for initiating the scheduled review and recommending revisions as appropriate.

Appendix A: Library Bill of Rights

The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.

Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.

Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

VII. All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.

Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967; January 23, 1980; January 29, 2019.

Inclusion of “age” reaffirmed January 23, 1996.

Although the Articles of the Library Bill of Rights are unambiguous statements of basic principles that should govern the service of all libraries, questions do arise concerning application of these principles to specific library practices. See the documents designated by the Intellectual Freedom Committee as Interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights.

American Library Association. (n.d.). Library Bill of Rights. Retrieved 11/14/2025, from https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill

Appendix B: Freedom to Read Statement

The freedom to read is essential to our democracy. It is continuously under attack. Private groups and public authorities in various parts of the country are working to remove or limit access to reading materials, to censor content in schools, to label "controversial" views, to distribute lists of "objectionable" books or authors, and to purge libraries. These actions apparently rise from a view that our national tradition of free expression is no longer valid; that censorship and suppression are needed to counter threats to safety or national security, as well as to avoid the subversion of politics and the corruption of morals. We, as individuals devoted to reading and as librarians and publishers responsible for disseminating ideas, wish to assert the public interest in the preservation of the freedom to read.

Most attempts at suppression rest on a denial of the fundamental premise of democracy: that the ordinary individual, by exercising critical judgment, will select the good and reject the bad. We trust Americans to recognize propaganda and misinformation, and to make their own decisions about what they read and believe. We do not believe they are prepared to sacrifice their heritage of a free press in order to be "protected" against what others think may be bad for them. We believe they still favor free enterprise in ideas and expression.

These efforts at suppression are related to a larger pattern of pressures being brought against education, the press, art and images, films, broadcast media, and the Internet. The problem is not only one of actual censorship. The shadow of fear cast by these pressures leads, we suspect, to an even larger voluntary curtailment of expression by those who seek to avoid controversy or unwelcome scrutiny by government officials.

Such pressure toward conformity is perhaps natural to a time of accelerated change. And yet suppression is never more dangerous than in such a time of social tension. Freedom has given the United States the elasticity to endure strain. Freedom keeps open the path of novel and creative solutions, and enables change to come by choice. Every silencing of a heresy, every enforcement of an orthodoxy, diminishes the toughness and resilience of our society and leaves it the less able to deal with controversy and difference.

Now as always in our history, reading is among our greatest freedoms. The freedom to read and write is almost the only means for making generally available ideas or manners of expression that can initially command only a small audience. The written word is the natural medium for the new idea and the untried voice from which come the original contributions to social growth. It is essential to the extended discussion that serious thought requires, and to the accumulation of knowledge and ideas into organized collections.

We believe that free communication is essential to the preservation of a free society and a creative culture. We believe that these pressures toward conformity present the danger of limiting the range and variety of inquiry and expression on which our democracy and our culture depend. We believe that every American community must jealously guard the freedom to publish and to circulate, in order to preserve its own freedom to read. We believe that publishers and librarians have a profound responsibility to give validity to that freedom to read by making it possible for the readers to choose freely from a variety of offerings.

The freedom to read is guaranteed by the Constitution. Those with faith in free people will stand firm on these constitutional guarantees of essential rights and will exercise the responsibilities that accompany these rights.

We therefore affirm these propositions:

It is in the public interest for publishers and librarians to make available the widest diversity of views and expressions, including those that are unorthodox, unpopular, or considered dangerous by the majority.

Creative thought is by definition new, and what is new is different. The bearer of every new thought is a rebel until that idea is refined and tested. Totalitarian systems attempt to maintain themselves in power by the ruthless suppression of any concept that challenges the established orthodoxy. The power of a democratic system to adapt to change is vastly strengthened by the freedom of its citizens to choose widely from among conflicting opinions offered freely to them. To stifle every nonconformist idea at birth would mark the end of the democratic process. Furthermore, only through the constant activity of weighing and selecting can the democratic mind attain the strength demanded by times like these. We need to know not only what we believe but why we believe it.

Publishers, librarians, and booksellers do not need to endorse every idea or presentation they make available. It would conflict with the public interest for them to establish their own political, moral, or aesthetic views as a standard for determining what should be published or circulated.

Publishers and librarians serve the educational process by helping to make available knowledge and ideas required for the growth of the mind and the increase of learning. They do not foster education by imposing as mentors the patterns of their own thought. The people should have the freedom to read and consider a broader range of ideas than those that may be held by any single librarian or publisher or government or church. It is wrong that what one can read should be confined to what another thinks proper.

It is contrary to the public interest for publishers or librarians to bar access to writings on the basis of the personal history or political affiliations of the author.

No art or literature can flourish if it is to be measured by the political views or private lives of its creators. No society of free people can flourish that draws up lists of writers to whom it will not listen, whatever they may have to say.

There is no place in our society for efforts to coerce the taste of others, to confine adults to the reading matter deemed suitable for adolescents, or to inhibit the efforts of writers to achieve artistic expression.

To some, much of modern expression is shocking. But is not much of life itself shocking? We cut off literature at the source if we prevent writers from dealing with the stuff of life. Parents and teachers have a responsibility to prepare the young to meet the diversity of experiences in life to which they will be exposed, as they have a responsibility to help them learn to think critically for themselves. These are affirmative responsibilities, not to be discharged simply by preventing them from reading works for which they are not yet prepared. In these matters values differ, and values cannot be legislated; nor can machinery be devised that will suit the demands of one group without limiting the freedom of others.

It is not in the public interest to force a reader to accept the prejudgment of a label characterizing any expression or its author as subversive or dangerous.

The ideal of labeling presupposes the existence of individuals or groups with wisdom to determine by authority what is good or bad for others. It presupposes that individuals must be directed in making up their minds about the ideas they examine. But Americans do not need others to do their thinking for them.

It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians, as guardians of the people's freedom to read, to contest encroachments upon that freedom by individuals or groups seeking to impose their own standards or tastes upon the community at large; and by the government whenever it seeks to reduce or deny public access to public information.

It is inevitable in the give and take of the democratic process that the political, the moral, or the aesthetic concepts of an individual or group will occasionally collide with those of another individual or group. In a free society individuals are free to determine for themselves what they wish to read, and each group is free to determine what it will recommend to its freely associated members. But no group has the right to take the law into its own hands, and to impose its own concept of politics or morality upon other members of a democratic society. Freedom is no freedom if it is accorded only to the accepted and the inoffensive. Further, democratic societies are more safe, free, and creative when the free flow of public information is not restricted by governmental prerogative or self-censorship.

It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians to give full meaning to the freedom to read by providing books that enrich the quality and diversity of thought and expression. By the exercise of this affirmative responsibility, they can demonstrate that the answer to a "bad" book is a good one, the answer to a "bad" idea is a good one.

The freedom to read is of little consequence when the reader cannot obtain matter fit for that reader's purpose. What is needed is not only the absence of restraint, but the positive provision of opportunity for the people to read the best that has been thought and said. Books are the major channel by which the intellectual inheritance is handed down, and the principal means of its testing and growth. The defense of the freedom to read requires of all publishers and librarians the utmost of their faculties, and deserves of all Americans the fullest of their support.

We state these propositions neither lightly nor as easy generalizations. We here stake out a lofty claim for the value of the written word. We do so because we believe that it is possessed of enormous variety and usefulness, worthy of cherishing and keeping free. We realize that the application of these propositions may mean the dissemination of ideas and manners of expression that are repugnant to many persons. We do not state these propositions in the comfortable belief that what people read is unimportant. We believe rather that what people read is deeply important; that ideas can be dangerous; but that the suppression of ideas is fatal to a democratic society. Freedom itself is a dangerous way of life, but it is ours.

This statement was originally issued in May of 1953 by the Westchester Conference of the American Library Association and the American Book Publishers Council, which in 1970 consolidated with the American Educational Publishers Institute to become the Association of American Publishers.

Adopted June 25, 1953, by the ALA Council and the AAP Freedom to Read Committee; amended January 28, 1972; January 16, 1991; July 12, 2000; June 30, 2004.

A Joint Statement by:

American Library Association
Association of American Publishers

Subsequently endorsed by:

American Booksellers for Free Expression
The Association of American University Presses
The Children's Book Council
Freedom to Read Foundation
National Association of College Stores
National Coalition Against Censorship
National Council of Teachers of English
The Thomas Jefferson Center for the Protection of Free Expression

American Library Association. (n.d.). The Freedom to Read Statement. Retrieved 11/14/2025, from https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomreadstatement

Collection Development and Rightsizing Policy

Veterinary Medical Library, Kansas State University

Introduction

The collection development policy of the Veterinary Medical Library at Kansas State University serves to define the parameters of the library collection for library staff and the patrons we serve. This policy also outlines the guidelines and selection criteria taken into consideration when making selections for library materials and indicates responsibilities for collection development, workflow and procedures, and evaluation criteria for maintaining the collection. The policies and procedures fall within the collection management policies and procedures of K-State Libraries as well as within the mission and vision of the College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University.

Library Mission

From our website: The Veterinary Medical Library, as a gateway to the world’s biomedical information, is dedicated to excellence in support of the College of Veterinary Medicine’s mission, the advancement of knowledge, life-long learning, and consumer health. The library staff of information specialists provides customized information services for all clientele including veterinary and health care practitioners, allied groups, and the general public.

Library Background

The Veterinary Medical Library is a branch library within the K-State Libraries system. In addition to serving the College of Veterinary Medicine and Kansas State University, the VML is also a part of the Network of the National Library of Medicine, which includes participation in the DOCLINE network. The VML collections span information concerning both human and veterinary medicine with an emphasis on veterinary science. Topics also included within this scope are agriculture, biosecurity, public health, pet care, animal conservation and welfare, consumer health, animals in society, and information on the human-animal bond. Within these collection parameters, the VML aims to provide support for the information needs of both the College of Veterinary Medicine and Kansas State University.

As part of the K-State Libraries system, the Veterinary Medical Library aims to serve, first and foremost, the academic community of students, faculty, and staff of the College of Veterinary Medicine as well as Kansas State University as a whole. In addition, the VML also works to serve community patrons, researchers, and the libraries within the Network of the National Library of Medicine. The VML collection strives to support the educational and research endeavors of its patrons.

Responsibility for Collection Development and Workflow

The responsibility for collection development lies with the Collections Specialist and director of the Veterinary Medical Library, who work in conjunction with collection development librarians at Hale Library. The Collections Specialist will propose possible selections for purchase based on information need within the scope of the VML collection. Potential purchases may be faculty requests, core titles, textbooks needed for CVM courses, or titles pulled from GOBI slips, etc.

The director of the Veterinary Medical Library will then review the wish list items and work closely with the library committee in the CVM to evaluate the items and their potential use for CVM. The VML will also work closely with Hale Library to assess the potential additions as to how best the titles may benefit the university across multiple disciplines. Items will be selected using selection criteria (as described below) to finalize the wish list.

Once selections have been made, VML staff will work with librarians in Content Development and Acquisitions at Hale Library to finalize the purchase selection of library materials.

Budgeting and Funding

The majority of VML purchases will be made using book funds within the Veterinary Medical Library fiscal budget. Usage of these funds will be coordinated with the Acquisitions department at Hale Library. The book budget will be discussed and set at the beginning of each fiscal year and purchases will be made throughout the year in conjunction with Hale Library.

At the beginning of the fiscal year, VML book purchasing funds will be allocated automatically to Hale Library. As VML book purchases are made through Hale Library throughout the fiscal year, a running itemized list of purchases will be kept and the costs will be deducted from the allocated budget amount.

As part of K-State Libraries, some purchases for the VML collection may be made with the sciences budget at Hale Library as per collaboration with Acquisitions at Hale Library. Communication with Hale Library will identify those materials and rationale will vary in terms of academic need and usage.

All purchases will be determined in regard to the collection scope, availability in WorldCat, and filling an information need for the College of Veterinary Medicine and K-State Libraries. Furthermore, items that exceed $500 will not be considered for purchase without library committee approval to ensure the library budget is maintained.

Collection Objectives and Selection Criteria

As both an academic and medical library, the VML aims to include material focusing primarily on veterinary and human medicine in addition to scholarly research in and adjacent to animal and human medicine. Information and scholarly research concerning agriculture, public health, biosecurity, food animal medicine, veterinary medical history, consumer health, and animals and the environment are also considered for inclusion in the VML collections. Furthermore, the VML aims to maintain an up-to-date biomedical collection to support the educational and research needs of the CVM and university as a whole. Please see the Collection Evaluation section for further information on the criteria used to evaluate material for and in the collection.

Additionally, the library considers the selection of a wide range of print material and media for all ages centering on animals, pet care, animal welfare and conservation, careers and professional development in biomedical sciences, the human and animal bond, animals in society, and animal-centered fiction and nonfiction. These informational and leisure reading materials fall within exploration of the human-animal bond and offer a range of material to supplement the biomedical information present in the majority of the collection.

A note on AI-generated material: The library will not consider material created solely by artificial intelligence for the purchase and addition to the collection. All material for purchase consideration must be human-created, reputable, and peer-reviewed if applicable.

Selection criteria and considerations for a potential addition to the collection are as follows.

Item is not already in the K-State Libraries collection
Item fills an information gap within the range of topics/subject areas covered in collection
Item has been published within the last 8 years
Item is a newer edition of a title already present within the VML collection
Item is needed for use in a course/course reserves
Item has been recommended by CVM faculty
Item is a core title for veterinary or human medicine
Item content is cross- or multi-disciplinary (ex. veterinary medicine and agriculture)
Item content supports any health and/or veterinary sciences research in the College of Veterinary Medicine
Item provides reference information in either human or veterinary medicine
Item focuses on animals in society and/or the human-animal bond
Item format is available as an ebook and price is feasible for library budget
Item’s cost does not exceed $500.
- Any cost above that will not be considered for purchase unless it is an essential text and has approval for purchase from the library committee.
- Additionally, these items will not be considered should the information be sufficiently covered with other resources in the collection. These items will be considered on a case to case basis.
Ebook considerations have uses that are appropriate for the anticipated need, and offer a range of usage options (most especially DRM-free). For instance, items that are needed for specific courses, allow for 3-user or unlimited uses.

Please see the Intellectual Freedom section to see the VML’s full statement on its commitment to the principles and values stated in the Library Bill of Rights set by the American Library Association.

Patron-Driven Acquisitions

The Veterinary Medical Library does consider patron purchase requests for library material. Faculty requests for course reserves will be given priority to ensure prompt student access to material, but all other patron requests will be considered according to the VML general selection policies and considerations. The criteria used to consider these requests will be the same as those listed under the Collection Objectives and Selection Criteria section. Items must also meet the budget qualifications outlined in the Budgeting and Funding section.

Formats and Genres

In most cases, and per Hale Library acquisitions procedure, electronic resources and electronic access will be considered first and foremost for new material for the collection. In addition, prioritizing electronic access for course material supports the College of Veterinary Medicine’s efforts to reduce textbook costs for students. Electronic access, thus, is preferred when applicable for any new material under consideration for the collection.

However, the format for any and all material being selected will be considered as to the nature of the information need, such as if a title is needed for a course or if the items would be those likely to be requested via interlibrary loan. Cost and availability (such as usage allowances on electronic material) will also be considered when making selections for purchase. Print will be considered in situations when electronic format purchase is not feasible. Additionally, print will be considered when the print format is requested by faculty for course material.

In some cases, the Veterinary Medical Library may choose not to purchase a requested item for the collection with the understanding that it can be requested as needed through ILL. Items that fall into this category may not be immediately needed for a course, may not support research specializations within Kansas State University and the College of Veterinary Medicine, or may not be needed for more than one or two uses. These decisions will be made on a case to case basis to determine the best plan of action for the request.

Furthermore, fiction and nonfiction material will be considered for print purchase if it is not already available in the K-State Libraries system and also fits within the scope of veterinary medicine, animals in society, or the human-animal bond. Print availability for these items will assist in lending availability for interlibrary loan.

The following format policies will also be considered:

VHS and CD-ROM will be excluded for new purchases due to outdated formats
DVDs are preferred over Blu-Ray for any audio-visual material because of compatibility and accessibility
Pet care and training material will be considered for print purchase before electronic because this material may be popular for interlibrary loan
Textbook material purchases will be considered in ebook before print

Government Publications

The Veterinary Medical Library hold a small number of government publications within its collection. When government publications are requested and aren’t already available via K-State Libraries, the VML will first assess whether the publication in question is available via open access or open educational resources (OER). If not available through OER, then the library will work with the patron to request the item via ILL. Purchase consideration for government publications will be assessed using the same criteria and process as other potential additions to the collection.

Special Collections

While the Veterinary Medical Library does not hold special collections aside from the archival material in the history collection in the VML stacks, it endeavors to maintain holdings for any and all publications by the College of Veterinary Medicine, both past and current. These publication materials include newsletters, magazines, and conference proceedings affiliated with the college. Copies of these publications will be sent to the Department of Special Collections at Hale Library to archive for the university libraries system.

The Veterinary Medical Library archival collection is located in the vetmhist location. It is primarily comprised of CVM yearbooks, class biographies, and other college-related materials. All other Special Collections and Archives inquiries will be directed to Special Collections and Archives at Hale Library, which offers a much wider and more comprehensive archive collection.

Cooperative and Collaborative Collection Development and resource-sharing agreements

The Veterinary Medical Library collaborates with the Content Development and Metadata, Preservations, and Acquisitions departments at Hale Library to determine the best plan of action for acquiring new library materials. This includes licensing agreements for digital materials and subscription agreements for periodicals and journals.

Selection aids and handling of user recommendations

The Veterinary Medical Library strives to maintain a thorough and up-to-date collection to meet the information needs of the College of Veterinary Medicine and Kansas State University. The collection is assessed annually to ensure library materials are accessible, up-to-date, and robust in regard to collection scope and the information needs of the college and university. Furthermore, the VML collection strives to stay abreast of the most up-to-date biomedical information available to support education and research within the university.

Selection aids include veterinary medical core and essential material lists, human medicine-related core lists, Doody’s lists, and faculty and staff recommendations. All faculty and staff recommendations and requests are considered based on current availability in the library collections, need for CVM courses, and status in WorldCat.

Final selection decisions will also be made with feedback and approval from the library committee—which is comprised of VML librarians and CVM faculty members—in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Intellectual Freedom

The Veterinary Medical Library is committed to the policies and values affirmed in the Library Bill of Rights and the Freedom to Read statement set by the American Library Association. In addition to upholding intellectual freedom in consideration and evaluation of library materials, the VML is also committed to the core values set by the Medical Library Association in ensuring access to high-quality health and medical information; upholding and promoting information literacy and health literacy; and fostering a thorough collection of biomedical resources. All selection and deselection decisions will be made in accordance with these principles.

Process for Challenges to materials in the collection

For any challenges to materials in the collections, The Veterinary Medical Library will follow the processes and procedures detailed in the Contested and Challenged Items Policy.

Gifts and Exchanges

The Veterinary Medical Library does not accept donations of physical library material for consideration for the library collection as of January 2022. However, the library does offer the means for those with physical donations to make said donations available to members of the College of Veterinary Medicine on the library give-away cart.

Donated journals may be considered to fill any gaps for titles of which the library has physical holdings, but the issues in question will be assessed on previous usage and need.

Collection Maintenance and Evaluation, including weeding and storage decisions

Collection Maintenance

Journals

All decisions in regard to journals will be made in collaboration with Hale librarians and will follow retention and licensing guidelines for each individual journal. The collections specialist will oversee the regular maintenance of the print journal collection including processing new issues as well as completing regular binding, transfer, and withdraw projects.

Regular transfer and withdraw projects of the current periodicals in vetmper will occur annually every spring. The retention guidelines for these journals will be determined and maintained in collaboration between Hale librarians and VML librarians. Regular transfer and withdraw titles will be retained for a total of three years before being transferred to the Annex or withdrawn from the collection.

The VML will also retain several veterinary science titles in print in vetmper long term given their frequent usage for filling interlibrary loan and DOCLINE requests. Retention guidelines for these titles will be determined in collaboration with Hale Library.

Regular transfer and withdraw project of current periodicals in the spring (determined with Hale feedback), retaining three most recent years with select titles, while other select titles will be retained given their frequent use for DOCLINE, etc.

Monographs

Monographs and reference material that are older editions—and are not part of the vetmhist collection—will be either transferred to Hale or the Annex as per discussion with Hale librarians. The VML will retain up to five editions of textbooks and will monitor textbooks every 10 years to update editions as necessary.

Transfer procedures regarding monographs will happen annually to determine fit and need. Items will be sent to the off-site Annex location only when necessary. Transfers made to Hale Library will be done only if it makes sense to do so considering the kind of item it is, etc. Weeding of monographs will be conducted every two years to ensure the collection stays up to date.

GOBI slips will also be reviewed throughout the year and potential titles highlighted therein will be considered for purchase. VML staff will maintain an ongoing, flexible wish list for possible purchases. Selection will be decided using the criteria outlined above.

Collection Evaluation

Evaluation for the Veterinary Medical Library collections will take place every 3-5 years to ensure regular and frequent reviews of library material. Weeding/deselection will be done every two years to ensure the collection is up to date. All decisions will aim to uphold the library’s mission to maintain a thorough and up-to-date collection of biomedical information. Furthermore, material will be considered in regard to how it best meets the university’s information needs.

When evaluating material in the collection for possible transfer or withdraw, the following considerations will be employed.

Considerations for keeping the material at the VML:

Material is required for a course and/or is needed for course reserves
Item is a core veterinary or human medicine title
Usage (both loans and in-house uses) are reviewed
Status in WorldCat indicates material’s accessibility may or may not be limited
Item provides information within a topic specialized in CVM and the masters in public health program
Item is written by former or current K-State faculty and/or alumni

Considerations for items to transfer:

Items that are older than 20 years, unless they are regularly used (such as some large-name journals)
Items that are used rarely, but often enough to maintain in print—usage will be checked in Alma
Items that do not fit within the VML collection any longer or have a better standing with other collections in other libraries
Items that no longer get used much at the VML and would be vital to remove to make room for newer information, yet is still relevant enough to the university as a whole to retain
Information therein is outdated and/or newer information is available concerning the topic
Open access is available for the material

Considerations for weeding/deselection:

Items that are over 8 years old are automatically removed if they are not historically valuable in some context, not written by faculty/staff/student member of the CVM, whether past or present, nor are in some relation to the KSU CVM
Items that are damaged or otherwise unavailable for checkout due to damage/wear
Items that are no longer relevant to our collection and/or obsolete
Information therein is outdated and/or newer information is available concerning the topic

Processes for Policy Revision

The rightsizing collection development policy of the Veterinary Medical Library will be reviewed and updated every 3 years.

References

American Library Association. (2019, January 29). Library bill of rights. Retrieved December 5, 2025, from https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/librarybill

American Library Association. (2006, July 26). The freedom to read statement. Retrieved December 5, 2025, from https://www.ala.org/advocacy/intfreedom/freedomreadstatement

Medical Library Assocation. (n.d.). Vision, values, mission, and planning. Retrieved December 5, 2025, from https://www.mlanet.org/about-mla/vision-values-mission-and-planning/

While initially drafting this collections policy, the following example collections policies were consulted:

Arizona State University. (n.d.). Library policies. ASU Library. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://lib.asu.edu/policies

Emporia State University. (2023). Library policies. University Libraries Archives. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://sites.google.com/g.emporia.edu/librariesandarchives/about-the-library/library-policies

The University of Arizona. (2025). Collections principles and policies. University Libraries. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://lib.arizona.edu/about/organization/departments/collection-services/policies

University of Nebraska-Lincoln. (2025). About our collections. Libraries. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://libraries.unl.edu/about-our-collections-updates/

Wichita State University. (2025, December 1). Collection development. University Libraries. Retrieved March 21, 2023, from https://libraries.wichita.edu/c.php?g=464279

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