GREENWICH PUBLIC SCHOOLS
BOOK SELECTION PROCEDURE
SELECTION OF SCHOOL LIBRARY MATERIALS
To ensure that only the highest quality materials are selected for use by students in our school library media centers the following procedures have been formulated as guidance for the library media specialist in making his/her selections:
Responsibility for Selection
· Library Media Specialists at each school are responsible for the selection of books and other materials for the media center. The selection of materials should be made in concurrence with selection committees, teachers’ input and administrator feedback.
· In selecting materials to meet curriculum needs, professionally prepared selection tools should be consulted. (See Appendix for Selection Tools).
· Gifts or donated materials shall be measured against the same criteria as materials that are purchased.
Objectives for Selection
Ø In selecting school library materials, the library media specialist will focus on the curriculum needs of their school and provide materials that enrich and support that curriculum taking into consideration the interests, abilities and maturity levels of the students.
Ø Criteria to be adhered to in making selections should be as follows:
o Educational significance
o Contribution the subject matter makes to the curriculum and to the interests of the students
o Favorable reviews found in standard selection sources
o Favorable recommendations based on preview and examination of materials by professional personnel
o Reputation and significance of the author, producer, and publisher
o Validity, currency, and appropriates of material
o Contribution the material makes to breadth of representative viewpoints on controversial issues
o High degree of potential user appeal
o High artistic quality and/or literary style
o Quality and variety of format
o Value commensurate with cost and/or need
o Timeliness or permanence
o Integrity
Ø Materials should be selected which will stimulate exploration and growth of knowledge, appreciation of literature and aesthetic values.
Ø Materials chosen should represent a diversity of religious, ethnic and cultural groups.
Ø The Library Media Specialist should continually analyze the collection to keep it current, reflective of the curriculum and enticing to its users.
Gifts & Memorials
Ø Gifts or donated materials will be subject to the same selection criteria as purchased materials.
Ø These materials will be accepted with the understanding that, if not suitable, they will be returned or disposed of, at the discretion of the Library Media Specialist.
Ø Monetary donations (for special gifts or birthdays) may be given so that the Library Media Specialist can select materials appropriate to the school’s collection.
Ø A bookplate can be placed in front of the material to recognize the giver, if the donor desires.
Controversial Issues
To maintain a balanced collection representing various viewpoints, the Library Media Specialist may select materials, which include controversial issues. Materials may clarify historical and contemporary perspectives by presenting unbiased tension and conflict and by placing emphasis on recognizing and understanding diverse social problems.
PROCEDURES FOR DEALING WITH CHALLENGED MATERIALS
Any resident or employee of the school district may question a title used in a school library media center 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.
The school receiving a complaint regarding a title shall try to resolve the issue informally.
1. The principal or other appropriate staff shall explain to the questioner the school’s selection procedure, criteria, and qualifications of those persons selecting the resource.
2. The principal or other appropriate staff shall explain the particular place the questioned resource occupies in the education program, its intended educational usefulness, and additional information regarding its use, or refer the party to someone who can identify and explain the use of the resource.
3. If the questioner wishes to file a formal challenge, please contact the Program Media Coordinator.
Guiding Principles :
Ø 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.
Ø The principal should review the selection and objection rules with the teaching staff at least annually.
Ø No parent has the right to determine reading, viewing, or listening matter for students other than his or her own children.
Ø The Greenwich Public Schools 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.
Ø Access to challenged material shall not be restricted during the reconsideration process. The major criterion for the final decision is the appropriateness of the material for its intended educational use.
Ø 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.
Adapted from the American Library Association’s Office of Intellectual Freedom, “Workbook for Selection Policy Writing”, last updated 1999.
Selection Tools:
Periodicals:
School Library Journal (print or online at http://www.slj.com)
Book List
Horn Book Magazine Online
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Multi-Cultural Review
Books:
A to Zoo
Best Books for Children: Pre-School – Middle Grades (Bowker)
Best Books for Junior High Readers(Bowker)
Best Books for Senior High Readers (Bowker)
Best Books for Young Adult Readers (Bowker)
Children’s Catalog, and Supplements (H.W. Wilson)
Elementary School Library Collection (Brodart)
Guide to Reference Books for School Media Centers (Libraries Unlimited) Junior High School Library Catalog, and Supplements (H.W. Wilson)
Reference Books for Young Readers (Bowker)
Senior High School Library Catalog, and Supplements (H.W. Wilson)