Policy Statement

The purpose of the Harford County Public Library web site is to support the Mission, Vision, and Values of the library by providing web services that include:

• Electronic access to library resources, selected web sites, librarian-produced content, and other appropriate information.
• Easy access to information about current library events, programs, and special offerings.
• Additional information about library services, branches, policies, and other activities at the library.
• Dedicated online areas for our library users such as children, teens, students of all ages, small business owners, recreational readers, special populations, and the lifelong learner.
• Book lists, book reviews, and other online materials to encourage reading and to help customers of all ages to find information.
• Opportunities to support the library through volunteerism, Friends’ groups, and the Harford County Public Library Foundation.


Basic Criteria
To support both our materials in print and online subscription-based resources, Harford County Public Library’s web site links to additional “free web” Internet sites that provide:


• Timely/current information or information with historical or regional value.
• Actual content and other useful information, preferably in sites that provide that content and not just links to other sites with the exception of indexes that our web content editors and librarians consider to be useful and valuable.
• Free and easy access to the user (no credit card information or registration required).
• Information using a suitable subject and style for intended audience.
• Increased significance and value to the existing library materials collection.
• Well organized and easy-to-navigate pages.\
• Information by credible authors, creators, or producers.
• Consistent quality of information and services over time.


Additional Children’s Web Site Selection Guidelines
Linked web pages in the areas specifically designed for children and homework have been selected to reflect the age-appropriate interests and informational needs of the children we serve. Because we serve a wide age range of children – from preschool to middle school, some featured sites may be more appropriate to older children than younger. For additional selection criteria we use, see the American Library Association’s Selection Criteria for Kids.

Selection of Links to All External Web Sites
All links are selected for inclusion on the web site based on the merits of the external web site and its value to the library's customers. Web sites may be chosen for informational or recreational value. Every effort is made to choose the best web sites and to reflect a broad diversity of information, points of view, and depth. The selection of links is not comprehensive, although it does offer significant coverage in areas of specialization or particular local interest.

Priority is given to local resources and to topics of particular interest to Harford County citizens.

Library staff may select a site that does not meet all of the above criteria if the site has unique, valuable content. Selected links may be removed from Harford County Public Library’s web site if they change significantly or no longer meet the selection criteria.

Harford County Public Library web content editors and librarians use evaluation review sources in print publications or electronic resources when they are available, but will frequently rely on personal review of sources for selection.

Web site selection complements the library’s Materials Selection Policy and Internet Use Policy.

Ernest L. Hepler, Chairperson
Harford County Public Library Board of Trustees