Regulation IIAC-R1: Instructional Media Centers/school Libraries - Selection and Reconsideration of Materials

(Selection and Reconsideration of Materials)

The district will obtain materials for the district’s media centers and libraries that are current, address the curriculum needs of district instructors and provide the learning resources needed by district students. District librarians, teachers and administrators are responsible for the selection and reconsideration of materials for the district’s media centers and school libraries in accordance with the objectives listed in this regulation. Suggestions for the selection and reconsideration of materials will be reviewed at least annually. The superintendent or designee will adopt procedures as needed to accomplish the goals of this regulation.

Objectives for the Selection of Library Materials

Library materials will be selected in accordance with the following objectives:

1. Provide materials that will enrich and support the curriculum, taking into consideration the varied interests, abilities and maturity levels of the pupils served.

2. Provide materials that will stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values and ethical standards.

3. Provide background information that will enable students to make intelligent judgments in their daily lives.

4. Provide materials on opposing sides of controversial issues so that young citizens may develop, under guidance, the practice of critical reading and thinking.

5. Provide materials representative of the contributions to our American heritage from the many religious, ethnic and cultural groups.

6. 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.

7. Use existing special criteria for the selection of all kinds of materials, such as films, CDs, tapes and books, for all subject areas. The general criteria that may be applied to all acquisitions are as follows:

          ►          Material should have permanent or timely values.

          ►          Information should be accurate.

          ►          Material should be presented in a clear manner.

          ►          Material should be authoritative.

          ►          Material should have significance.

The above-mentioned criteria will also apply to the acceptance of any gift of materials or to the selection of materials purchased with a monetary gift from an individual or group.

Reconsideration

Library materials will be reconsidered and, if necessary, removed from district media centers and libraries in accordance with the following guidelines:

1. The material is outdated or factually incorrect.

2. A more thorough or more complete resource exists.

3. The resource no longer supports the district’s curriculum objectives.

4. The resource is not used by either staff or students.

5. The resource is not recommended by district librarians, teachers or administrators.