The public library is the institution in our society that attempts to provide a diversity of viewpoints on a wide range of topics of interest, including political, social, and religious ones—no matter how controversial or objectionable those ideas may be to some people. The future of libraries will depend upon their ability to provide information to the public as a whole. Free speech and the open exchange of information cannot depend solely on the traditional producers of mass communications. Because of this, the Madison County Library System chooses materials representing different points of view, limited only by our selection criteria, budget, and the space in our facilities.
The primary objectives of the Madison County Library System are to collect, organize, produce, and make easily available materials of contemporary significance and of long-term value. The Libraries will always be guided by a sense of responsibility to both present and future in adding materials that will enrich their collections.
