Group+3+Collection+Policy

The governing body of the school is legally responsible for all matters concerning the operation of the school. The American Library Association, as well as many state library and school library associations, strongly recommend that all libraries have written collection policies in place, both to serve as a basis of judgment for those responsible for the selection of materials, and to inform the community of the policies and practices of the library(**Source: ** The Jewish Day School). This district is rural school district that serves a population of just over 12,000 citizens. The district covers 28.7 square miles and provides educational services to approximately 1,860 students in grades K-12. The district has three school buildings that include an elementary school, middle school, and high school. The district’s special education participation is 11%, the percentage of low-income families is 16%, and the percentage of student attendance is 95.56%. The purpose of this collection policy is to provide a framework for the development of the School District's Library Collections that will meet the needs of the students, families, faculty, and staff in our school community. It is our belief that the policy will help to create a positive learning environment in our school district’s libraries. The policy will ensure that materials are selected and maintained in a way that allows our school community to access information that supports their learning. This policy has been approved by the Board of Directors and it will ensure that the district's library collections make it possible to fulfill the mission of the library.
 * __Group 3 Collection Development Policy __**
 * I. Introduction **

The Library Media Program in this School District is committed to helping students achieve success in school, be effective users of ideas and information and become lifelong learners. Through collection development, teacher collaboration and student instruction, the library staff works to support the curriculum, teach information literacy skills, foster literature appreciation and promote social responsibility (**Source: ** Thomas Dale High School Library Media Center).
 * II. Mission Statement **

The district's learning media services concur with the district's educational philosophy and strive to support and enrich the district's curriculum objectives through selection and acquisition of a variety of instructional resources. The district's professional librarians coordinate resources to insure that the needs, interests, and abilities of the students are considered while supporting the needs of the professional staff within the curriculum. Collections containing a wide variety of materials, (i.e.: paperback and hardback books, periodicals, vertical files, electronic databases and multimedia formats) are maintained. Resources must be identified, selected, acquired, and organized to answer ready-reference questions, to sufficiently develop research projects and to entertain the readers of current and popular fiction, non-fiction, and periodicals being pertinent to subject goals and recreational reading. The primary objective of the library is to support, enrich, and help implement the educational program of the school through the interaction of professional personnel and other members of the school community.
 * III. Goals and Objectives **

The district's professional librarians coordinate the selection of the library resources to insure that the needs, interests, and abilities of the students are considered while supporting the needs of the professional staff within the curriculum. It is the duty of professional staff to provide students with a wide range of materials at varying levels of difficulty, with diversity of appeal, and the presentation of different points of view. Materials in the collection will support the district’s students, staff, and parents. The collection will be chosen in a way that will allow access to diverse learners. The district’s professional librarians will manage both print and non-print resources. While extensive help and advice is sought from administrators, teachers, specialists, teaching assistants, students, parents and others affiliated with library, the librarian has the final decision in selection, based on the criteria defined in this Policy.
 * IV. Responsibility for Collection Development **

In selecting materials for purchase, the media specialist evaluates the existing collection and consults reputable, unbiased, professionally-prepared selection aids. Additionally, the media specialist consults educators from all departments and/or all grade levels. Criteria used for selection will be the following: · Materials that will meet the needs of the individual school based on the curriculum. · Materials that will coincide with the mission, goals, and philosophies of the school district. · Materials that will include a wide range of materials on all levels of difficulty, with a diversity of appeal, and the presentation of different points of view. · Materials that will meet students needs (ie. learning styles, ability level, maturity level) · Materials with literary and artistic merit. · Need and value to the collection. · Value commensurate with cost. · Materials with favorable reviews and recommendations from reputable, unbiased, professionally prepared selection aids. · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Materials requested by administrators, teachers, parents, and students.
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">V. Selection Criteria **

In specific areas the media specialist follows these procedures: · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Gift materials are judged by basic selection standards and are accepted or rejected by these standards · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Multiple copies of items much in demand are purchased as needed. · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Worn or missing standard items are replaced periodically. · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Out-of-date materials or those no longer useful are withdrawn from the collection. · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Sets of materials and materials acquired by subscription are examined carefully and are purchased only to fill a definite need. · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Salesmen must have permission from the administrative office before going into any of the schools. · <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">All new materials will be reviewed by the librarian and shelved if it meets the collection development criteria. <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> (**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Source ** : Mt. Ararat High School Library, Topsham, ME: [])

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">**VI. Selection Tools** <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> The following recommended lists shall be consulted in the selection and retention of materials **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">(Source: ** The ALA Workbook for Selection Policy Writing)**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">: ** · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Bibliographies (latest editions available, including supplements), for example: o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">American Historical Fiction // o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Basic Book Collection for Elementary Grades // o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">The Best in Children’s Books // o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Children and Books // o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Children’s Catalog // o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Elementary School Library Collection // o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">European Historical Fiction and Biography // o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Guide to Sources in Educational Media // o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Junior High School Catalog // o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Reference Books for School Libraries // o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Subject Guide to Children’s Books in Print // o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Subject Index to Books for Intermediate Grades // o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Subject Index to Books for Primary Grades // o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Westinghouse Learning Directory // o <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Other special bibliographies, many of which have been prepared by educational organizations for particular subject

· <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Current Reviewing Media, for example: o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">AASA Science Books and Films // o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">American Film & Video Association Evaluations // o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Booklist // o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books // o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Horn Book // o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Kirkus Reviews // o //<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">School Library Journal //

Selection tools will not be limited to these recommended resources. Resources that do not appear in these listings may be ordered if they meet the selection criteria in this policy.

Deselection, or weeding is the process of eliminating from the library materials that are no longer useful. It is a continuing process which must be planned as carefully as selecting new materials. The weeding of collections should occur on an annual basis. The following reasons are considered in the process of removing materials: · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Unattractive in appearance (i.e. yellow paper, worn covers, outdated content) · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Poor physical condition (i.e. torn, dirty, missing pages) · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Seldom circulated (usually five years) · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Old copyright date that makes material outdated in content and accuracy · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Duplications of titles no longer in heavy demand · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Superseded by new or revised editions · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Unsuitable subject matter, or material that is no longer relevant to curriculum
 * <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">VII. Deselection **

Materials will be discarded with the approval of the administration. The librarian may decide to offer discarded materials to staff, students, or district libraries before disposal.

Two basic factors, truth and art, will be considered in the selection of books and library materials. The first is factual accuracy, authoritativeness, balance, and integrity. The second is the quality of stimulating presentation, imagination, vision, creativeness, style appropriate to the idea, vitality, distinction. Materials for the school library shall be examined to select those in which the presentation and the subject matter are suitable for the grade level at which they are used. The materials will be considered in relation to both the curriculum and the personal interests of students and teachers. Any resident or employee of the school district may formally challenge learning resources used in the district’s educational program on the basis of appropriateness. This procedure is for the purpose of considering the opinions of those persons in the schools and the community who are not directly involved in the selection process: (Source: [] )
 * VIII. Reconsideration**
 * Challenger must complete request for reconsideration of library resources form.
 * The area assistant superintendent and the assistant superintendent of curriculum services shall be informed of the formal complaint received.
 * The request for reconsideration shall be referred to a reconsideration committee at the school level for reevaluation of the resource.
 * Requests for reconsideration of materials in district collections shall be referred to the school resource center consultative committee for reevaluation of the resource. This committee may involve additional personnel as appropriate.
 * The Reconsideration Committee
 * 1) Upon receipt of a request for formal reconsideration of a learning resource, the principal shall:
 * Appoint a reconsideration committee including the following membership as appropriate:
 * One member of the district staff chosen by the area assistant superintendent.
 * One member of the school teaching staff chosen by the school staff;
 * One member of the resource center professional staff chosen by the resource center professional staff;
 * One member of the school consultative committee chosen by the school consultative committee;
 * Two students chosen by the student body.
 * Name a convener of the reconsideration committee.
 * Arrange for a reconsideration committee meeting within 10 working days after the complaint is received.
 * 1) The reconsideration committee may choose to consult district support staff and/or community persons with related professional knowledge.
 * 2) The reconsideration committee shall review the challenged resource and judge whether it conforms to the principles of selection outlined in the district’s Selection of Learning Resources policy.
 * 3) Resolution
 * 4) The reconsideration committee shall:
 * 5) Examine the challenged resource;
 * 6) Determine professional acceptance by reading critical reviews of the resource;
 * 7) Weigh values and faults and form opinions based on the material as a whole rather than on passages or sections taken out of context;
 * 8) Discuss the challenged resource in the context of the educational program;
 * 9) Discuss the challenged item with the individual questioner when appropriate;
 * 10) Prepare a written report.
 * 11) The written report shall be discussed with the individual questioner if requested.
 * 12) The written report shall be retained by the school principal, with copies forwarded to the assistant superintendent of curriculum services and the area assistant superintendent. A minority report also may be filed.
 * 13) Written reports, once filed, are confidential and available for examination by trustees and appropriate officials only.
 * 14) The decision of the reconsideration committee is binding for the individual school.
 * 15) Notwithstanding any procedure outlined in this policy, the questioner shall have the right to appeal any decision of the reconsideration committee to the Board of Trustees as the final review panel.
 * 16) Guiding Principles
 * 17) Any resident or employee of the school district may raise objection to learning resources used in a school’s educational program, despite the fact that the individuals selecting such resources were duly qualified to make the selection, followed the proper procedure, and observed the criteria for selecting learning resources.
 * 18) The principal should review the selection and objection rules with the teaching staff at least annually. The staff should be reminded that the right to object to learning resources is one granted by policies enacted by the Board of Trustees.
 * 19) No parent has the right to determine reading, viewing, or listening matter for students other than his or her own children.
 * 20) School District #1 supports the //Library Bill of Rights//, adopted by the American Library Association. (A copy of the //Library Bill of Rights// is attached to this policy.) When learning resources are challenged, the principles of the freedom to read/listen/view must be defended as well.
 * 21) Access to challenged material shall not be restricted during the reconsideration process.
 * 22) The major criterion for the final decision is the appropriateness of the material for its intended educational use.
 * 23) A decision to sustain a challenge shall not necessarily be interpreted as a judgment of irresponsibility by the professionals involved in the original selection and/or use of the material.

The challenged material will be judged by the committee as to its conformity to the aforementioned principles. Materials that have been questioned will remain on the shelves available to students pending the decision of the committee. Appeals from this decision may be made through the Superintendent of Schools to the Board of School Directors for final decision.

(Source: [])

Gifts will be accepted by the library, but the library reserves the right to examine and evaluate these materials and include or dispose of them at its own discretion. In no circumstance is the library to accept a gift if specific stipulations from the donor are attached. Gifts of money for purchases may be accepted by the library from individuals or organizations, but the selection of materials is to be made according to stated policy. (source: [])
 * IX. Acquisitions and Gifts**

<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">X. Evaluation ** The librarians will evaluate this policy every three years. The process for evaluation will be as follows: · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Reviewing data from software programs in regards to currency · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Reviewing circulation statistics · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Reviewing collection percentages · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Reviewing data from other sources of information that are available in annual reports · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Reviewing student/faculty surveys (**<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Source **//<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">: Whitefish High School Library Collection Development Policy //Revised June, 2004) XI. Affirmation of Intellectual Freedom Rights **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> School libraries are concerned with generating an understanding of the American freedoms and with the preservation of these freedoms through the development of informed and responsible citizens. To this end the librarians of our district and the American Association of School Librarians reaffirms the LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS of the American Library Association and asserts that the responsibility of the school library is: · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">To provide materials that will enrich and support the curriculum, taking into consideration the varied interests, abilities, and the maturity level of the students served. · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">To provide materials that will stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values and ethical standards. · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">To provide a background of information which will enable pupils to make intelligent judgments in their daily life. · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">To provide materials on opposing sides of controversial issues so that young citizens may develop under guidance the practice of critical reading and thinking. · <span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">To place principle above personal opinion and reason above prejudice in the selection of materials of the highest quality in order to assure a comprehensive collection appropriate for the users of the library. XII. Other polices **<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;"> It will be the intent of this library to comply with copyright laws and prohibit the duplication of materials that do not fall within of the "fair use" for educational purposes. Students and professional staff will have access to the copier under supervision and a statement of copyright policy will be displayed on or near the copy machine.
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<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 12pt;">**Works Cited**

//ALA Workbook for Selection Policy Writing//. http://www.ala.org/Template.cfm?Section=dealing&Template=/ContentManagement/ContentDisplay.cfm&ContentID=11173#instructions

Boyertown Area School District Collection Development Policy. Boyertown, PA. http://www.boyertownasd.org/UserFiles/File/School%20Policies/6000/6163.1%20Instructional%20Resources%20of%20Students.pdf

Mt. Ararat High School Library, Topsham, ME: [|http://www.link75.org/mta3/library/selectionpolicy.html]

Thomas Dale High School Library Media Center: [|http://www.chesterfield.k12.va.us/Schools/Dale_HS/library/Virtlib/Images/missplan.pdf]

//<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif';">Whitefish High School Library Collection Development Policy // Revised June, 2004