GUIDELINES FOR CENTRAL SELECTION OF BOOKS

1.            The object of the Non-Matching Scheme of Central Selection of Books is to support the State Central Libraries, District Libraries and such other public libraries as may be decided by the Foundation from time to time with suitable reading materials in English and Hindi that are not ordinarily procured by them.

2.            Books are being selected keeping in view the annual budget provision under the scheme.

3.            Since books in Hindi and regional languages are selected by the State authorities under another Matching scheme of the Foundation and books in English seldom find place in the lists prepared by the State governments, the Foundation will select books in English and Hindi under this scheme subject to the availability of funds.

4.            The following categories of books shall not ordinarily be selected :

                1) foreign publication;

                2) text books;

                3) a book costing above Rs.500/-

5.            Selection should normally be restricted to the books published within the last three years. However, in case of classics or books of exceptional merit this may be relaxed after consultation with the Chairman and other members of the Book Selection Committee.

6.            Books written, edited or published by the members or officials connected with the Foundation may not be ordinarily selected during their tenure. Under no circumstances a member or a subject expert of the Foundation shall participate in the discussion while considering a book in which he/she is interested as author, editor or publisher.

7.            Costly books and books of high level will be selected for State Central Libraries and selected libraries only. Books of general interest will be selected for District Libraries. However, a book may be selected for a special group of libraries.

8.            There will be a Book Selection Committee set up by the Foundation for selection of books. Members of the Committee may select the books from amongst the specimen copies after judging the suitability to cater to the needs of the diverse reading clientele.

9.            No advertisement inviting books will be issued by the Foundation. But in order to give a wider choice of publication if Foundation desires it may publish advertisements on submission of books in national dailies including regional language dailies once in a year. However, books will be received for consideration round the year.

10.           Books will be normally selected from amongst the specimen copies. Recommending authorities may, however, recommend books, for consideration by the Book Selection Committee. In that case they are expected to furnish the full particulars of the book viz. (a) name of the title (b) author (c) name and address of publisher (d) year of publication (e) edition (paper back/hard cover) (f) pages (g) price. The office may also get a copy of the book from the publisher for the purpose of selection.

11.        Ordinarily not more than 30 books of a Private publisher(s) and  50 books of Government / Semi Government publisher(s) shall be accepted at any time for consideration in one meeting,  provided the books are published within the last three(3) years. Specimen copies of the Selected books will be retained by the Foundation. Specimen copies of non selected books may  be returned on request.

12.            Books retained by the Foundation shall either be taken into stock of the office library or be donated to some public libraries.

13.          The price of the book is not stamped/chipped/handwritten or changed by pasting of label or super-imposition of papers or by changing page/cover/jacket. (In case the price is not printed on the book a printed catalogue may be enclosed).

14.           Books should not be in damaged condition.

15.           A copy of the title (s) submitted to the Foundation is/are to be deposited to the 4 designated libraries (National Library, Kolkata; Delhi Public Library, Delhi; Connemara Public Library, Chennai; State Central Library, Mumbai) in compliance with the provision of The Delivery of Books Act, 1954.

16.          Author addresses are to be submitted with the books submitted to the Foundation for maintaining authors data-base in the Foundation.

17.           A book not selected in one meeting will not normally be considered again.

19.           As far as practicable books will be selected from various broad groups of subjects as given below: