2002: Materials Selection Policy for Library Programs

Objectives

 

The main objective of our selection procedure is to provide students with a wide range of educational materials on all levels of difficulty and in a variety of formats, with diversity of appeal, allowing for the presentation of many different points of view.

 

The objective of the library is to make available to staff and students a collection of materials that will enrich and support the curriculum and meet the needs of the students and staff served.

 

The Library collection should especially support implementation of the Washington State Essential Academic Learning Requirements (EALRs) and Grade Level Expectations (GLE’s).

 

Responsibility for Selection

 

The teacher-librarian will work cooperatively with staff members to interpret and guide the application of the policy in making day-to-day selections; however, final responsibility for selection of materials for the library lies with the teacher-librarian.

 

The library selection policy affirms the philosophies reflected in The American Library Association Library Bill Of Rights as well as Access to Resources and Services in The School Library Programs.

 

Criteria

 

The following criteria shall guide the selection of print and non-print (including electronic media) for library:

 

  • Library materials shall support and be consistent with general state and federal educational goals as well as the goals of the Camas School District and the aims and objectives of individual schools and specific courses.

 

  • Library materials shall meet high standards of quality in factual content, currency, and presentation.

 

  • Library materials shall be selected for their strengths rather than rejected for their weaknesses.

 

  • The selection of library materials on controversial issues will be directed towards maintaining a diverse collection representing various views.

 

  • Library materials shall be appropriate for the reading level and understanding of the students for whom the materials are selected.

 

  • Library materials shall reflect the interests and needs of the students and staff served by the library.

 

  • Library materials may merit inclusion in the collection because of their literary and/or artistic value; the reputation and significance of the author, producer or publisher; and/or their high degree of potential user appeal.

 

  • Library materials should be selected which represent a fair and unbiased presentation of information.

 

  • Selection of library materials may be guided by favorable reviews found in standard selection sources.  See Selection Sources in Support Materials.

 

  • Selection of library materials may be guided by favorable recommendations based on preview and examination of materials by professional personnel.

 

  • Selection of library materials shall be guided by the need for a variety of formats.

 

  • Selection of library materials may be guided by value commensurate with cost and/or need.

 

Procedures

 

Materials for library are selected by the professional library staff with due regard to suggestions from the building staff and students.  Final selection is made by the teacher-librarian of the school in which the library is housed.

 

In selecting library materials, teacher-librarians will evaluate available resources and use a variety of selection tools, including professional journals, lists of award-nominated books, lists of recommended books, and other sources of reviews.

 

Gift materials shall be judged by the criteria outlined and shall be accepted or rejected by those criteria.

 

Selection is an ongoing process which should include the removal of materials no longer appropriate and the replacement of lost and worn materials still of educational value.

 

Reconsideration

 

The process for reconsideration of instructional materials is outlined in Section 2311 of the Camas School District Policy Manual.