Hennepin County Library / Juvenile Detention Center / collection selection criteria
Hennepin County Library (HCL) has an agreement with Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center (JDC) to provide library services, including providing printed library materials. Materials are selected in accordance with the Hennepin County Library Collection Management Policy, if they do not represent a threat to the security of the Juvenile Detention Center. HCL also recognizes that under the county's policy regarding residential housing units (RH-102) that JDC has "the duty to ensure that its residents choose appropriate reading material." The following is a list of prohibited materials are considered to be not "appropriate reading material."
Books by Terri Woods, and other street life novels which portray gang life in a positive manner, including all titles from Triple Crown, Urban Books, Q-Boro and similar publishers. Titles from mainstream publishers that present the consequences of gang life, are allowed.
Monster, Do or Die, and other gang life nonfiction titles which portray gang life or a criminal lifestyle in a positive manner. Gang "turnaround stories" such as Life in Prison by Tookie Williams or Cooked by Jeff Henderson are allowed.
King, Maxim, Low Rider, XXL, and Source magazines, or other titles featuring heavy sexual content and/or photographs featuring gang signs
Graphic novels / manga with heavy sexual or violent content, such as Battle Royale, Fist of the North Star, and Punisher
Books by Zane or other books with heavy sexual content
Books which depict or describe procedures for the construction or use of weapons, ammunition, bombs or incendiary devices;
Books which depict, encourage, or describe methods of escape from correctional facilities, or contains blueprints, drawings or similar descriptions of the same;
Books which depict or describe procedures for the brewing of alcoholic beverages, or the manufacture of drugs;
Books which are written in code;
Books which depict, describe or encourage activities which may lead to the use of physical violence or group disruption;
Books which encourage or instruct in the commission of criminal activity;
Books which are homophobic, pornographic, obscene or sexually explicit material or other visual depictions that are harmful to students
Books which use language or images that advocate violence or discrimination toward other people (hate literature) or that may constitute harassment or discrimination or create a serious danger of violence in the facility;
materials depicting martial arts;
materials depicting tattooing or graffiti
JDC staff should not apply their own standards, based upon personal beliefs, but follow the established guidelines of the institution. Materials in the above list may not be brought into the facility by Hennepin Country Library staff, nor should they be provided to residents by JDC staff or family of residents.