Mission Statement The mission of the Sarasota County Library System (SCLS) is to offer equal access to information, to foster lifelong learning and to inspire community engagement. The mission of the Sarasota County Library System Web site is to allow access to timely, accurate and useful electronic information for community residents beyond the physical walls of the library. The Sarasota County Library System Web pages highlight the Library System and its services and provide a subject-approach to selected Internet sites. Links to Internet sites from the SCLS Web site are selected to broaden, enrich and compliment the Library System's print and audio-visual collections. These online resources may be selected to provide home or in-library access to types of material available in other formats at the library or they may be selected to provide more current and more diverse material than available at the library. Web Site Selection Policy General Description: The selection of Web sites is to be consistent with the library’s collection development policy with the overall goal of providing accurate and timely information that will meet the informational, educational and recreational needs of our diverse community. Disclaimer: Linking to a Web site does in no way indicate that SCLS or Sarasota County Government endorse or sponsor the site. The sites have been carefully selected and reviewed by Sarasota County librarians in accordance with established selection policies to help library users find information on the Internet.  These Web sites are separate and independent from the Library System. The Sarasota County Library System does not control the information contained on remote Web sites. The Libraries also cannot ensure the availability or accuracy of external electronic resources. As with print materials, not all electronic sources provide accurate, complete or current information. Retention Policy: Web sites are checked and reviewed periodically for content, accessibility, accuracy and usefulness. If a site no longer meets the selection criteria or is inactive or out-of-date, it may be removed. Weeding/Review: Links to Web sites may be removed if they change and no longer meet the Libraries’ selection criteria. Evaluation Sites are evaluated on the basis of their credibility, quality and usefulness in order to meet the needs and interest of the patrons and library staff. Factors which will be considered when evaluating sites selected include: Access - stable site, no fees required, consistently available Design - well organized, clear instructions, easy to use, uncluttered and cleanly designed, graphics that enhance content, do not frame other sites content Content - authoritative, documented, verifiable, accurate, updated regularly, appropriateness of subject matter Preference may be given to educational (.edu), governmental (.gov), and non-profit organization sites (.org) The SCLS Web site will continue to change in response to the ever-changing nature of the Internet.