Collection+Development+Policy+LIS+5250

=__**Collection Development Policy**__ =

**Purpose: **

 * //The main objective of this 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 media center is to make available to faculty and students a collection of materials that will enrich and support the curriculum and meet the needs of the students and faculty served.// (ALA website)

This selection policy reflects the philosophy and goals of the school system and supports the principles of intellectual freedom as defined by the American Library Association and the American Association of School Librarians. (Baltimore County Public Schools)

**Selection Responsibility: **
Materials for the school library are selected by professional library personnel. Selection procedures shall involve representatives of the professional staff directly affected by the selections, and persons qualified by preparation to aid in wise selection. Final decision rests with the librarians. (Iola-Scandinavia School District)

**Selection Criteria: **

 * Materials should support the school’s and the District’s educational goals and policies, including the advancement of student literacy.
 * Materials should be selected to support, enrich and extend the school’s curriculum and to encourage informational, educational and recreational reading, viewing and/or listening.
 * Consideration should be given to diverse user interests, abilities, backgrounds, cultures, languages, and maturity levels. Materials intended for student use should be appropriate for the subject area and for the age, social development, ability levels, special needs, and learning styles of students served by the collection.
 * Materials should represent various viewpoints on controversial issues so that students learn to explore, analyze and make intelligent judgments.
 * The value of a work should be examined as a whole and given greater weight than individual words, phrases or passages contained in the work. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> (Chicago Public Schools)
 * <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Selection personnel should 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 of educational materials <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(Iola-Scandinavia School District)
 * <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Library media materials should be evaluated for cost effectiveness in terms of accessibility, projected use, and durability.
 * <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Library media materials should be available in variety of formats, e.g., print, nonprint, electronic, multimedia, to meet the needs and learning styles of a diverse student population.
 * <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Literary quality, technical merit, physical arrangement, and aesthetic characteristics should be considered as integral components in the evaluation of all media formats. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(Baltimore County Public Schools)
 * <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Materials will be selected with help from favorable reviews found in standard selection sources
 * <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Materials will be selected with help fromfavorable recommendations based on preview and examination of materials by professional personnel <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(ALA website)

**<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Procedures for Selection: **
<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">In selecting learning resources, professional personnel will evaluate available resources and curriculum needs and will consult reputable, professionally prepared aids to selection and other appropriate sources. The criteria listed above will be taken into consideration when selecting all library materials. Among sources to be consulted are:

<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Bibliographies (latest edition available, including supplements):** <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//American Film & Video Association Evaluations// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//American Historical Fiction// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//Basic Book Collection for Elementary Grades// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Basic Book Collection for Junior High Schools //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The Best in Children’s Books // <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//Booklist// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//Children and Books// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//Children’s Catalog// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//Elementary School Library Collection// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//European Historical Fiction and Biography// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//Guide to Sources in Educational Media// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//Junior High School Catalog// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//Library Journal// //Reference Books for School Libraries// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//Subject Guide to Children’s Books in Print// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//Subject Index to Books for Intermediate Grades// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//Subject Index to Books for Primary Grades// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//Westinghouse Learning Directory// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Other special bibliographies, many of which have been prepared by educational organizations for particular subject matter areas.

<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> **Current reviewing media:** <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> //AASA Science Books and Films// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> //Horn Book// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//Kirkus Reviews// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//Booklist// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//Library Journal// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//AFVA Evaluations// <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//School Library Journal// <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(ALA website)

<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Online collection development tools such as:** //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Follett’s Titlewave //

<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**National and state awards such as**: //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Caldecott // //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Newbery // //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Mark Twain // //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Show Me Readers // //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Gateway Readers // <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//Truman Readers// <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(Chicago School District)

<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Other sources will be consulted as appropriate. Whenever possible, the actual resource will be examined.

<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Communication with teachers to assess curriculum needs and recommendations for purchase is an important part of the selection process. Since the library media collection is an integral part of the instructional and learning process, the strength and value of the collection are ensured when teachers are actively involved in the selection process.
 * <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Teacher Recommendations] **

<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Suggestions from students and parents is also an important part of the selection process. As students seek information for curricular purposes or use the library media center for personal interests, students and parents are encouraged to make recommendations of specific resources or subject areas where information is needed. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(Baltimore County Public Schools)
 * <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">[|Student and Parent Recommendations] **

<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**CONSIDERATIONS FOR SELECTION OF PRINT MATERIALS:**
<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Additional requirements for specific media formats.

<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> **Books** <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Due to the high cost of materials, it is important to examine books with the following additional criteria in mind before purchasing:
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Illustrations and layout //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Type style and text density //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Paper quality //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Durability of bindings //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Readability and interests levels //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Indexing //<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(Baltimore County Public Schools)

<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> **Paperbacks** <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Paperbacks are an inexpensive way to supplement the library media collection for duplication of titles, in-depth studies, special projects, and leisure reading. It is recommended that first copies of picture books be hardbacks. When deciding whether to purchase paperback books or hardbound books consider the following:
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Curricular demand placed on these books in the individual school //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Use of these materials for research, independent reading, duplication of classics, and popular fiction //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Cost and use of paperback books as compared to the cost of hardback books //<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(Baltimore County Public Schools)

<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Periodicals** <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Periodicals support the curriculum and provide leisure reading for students. Professional review journals and library periodicals for instruction may be considered for purchase. Consider access to full text, online periodical databases. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(Baltimore County Public Schools)

<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Reference** <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Reference materials in both print and electronic formats provide comprehensive information in both general and subject-specific areas. They also serve as access tools to information from other sources including school, public, academic, and electronic collections.

<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> The following points need to be considered:
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Cost effective in terms of projected use //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Authority //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Arrangement and indexing //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">User-friendly //<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(Baltimore County Public Schools)

<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Considerations for Selection of Nonprint Materials:**
<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> The criteria for selection of nonprint materials are essentially the same as for print materials. The quality of auditory and visual presentation should be considered as well as accuracy of information and the appropriateness of format.

<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> Nonprint materials should:
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Promote instructional goals and support the curriculum //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Provide a variety of media formats to meet the needs of the curriculum //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Present content in appropriate format and acceptable technical quality . //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Avoid dense text and graphics //<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(Baltimore County Public Schools)

<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Considerations for Selection of Electronic Resources:**
<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> The criteria for selection of electronic resources are essentially the same as for print materials. Electronic resources such as CD-ROM, computer software, and online services provide greater access to information. Access to these fee-based database services should be 24-hours a day with remote access from home.

<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Electronic resources should:
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Provide learner control through flexible pacing, variable difficulty, and optimal branching and linking //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Provide information that is accurate and reliably maintained //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Focus on organization, searching capabilities, and have navigation tools that enhance information retrieval //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Provide record keeping and management options, if applicable //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Provide readable text, attractive graphics, and an appealing layout //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Have easy-to-understand, comprehensive documentation. //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Be user friendly //
 * <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//Provide 24-hour access with remote connection from home// <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> (Baltimore County Public Schools)

<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Criteria for Library Donations:**
<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Professional library staff must review potential library donations using the same criteria as purchased material. Additional criteria include the following:


 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Donated materials should be new or barely used (in good to excellent condition with no writing or other defacing), complete, clean, durable, and attractive //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Reference materials, including atlases, encyclopedias, subject specific multi-volume sets, and other non-fiction resources should be no more than five years old; science, medical, computer, and other resources in areas in which information quickly becomes outdated should be no more than three years old. Book sets should be complete; //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Fiction books should be no more than eight years old with the exception of books by well known children’s authors and classics; //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">All materials should have a reading level and an interest level of Pre-K through 12th grade; //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Non-fiction books should not reflect outdated stereotypes of racial or cultural groups in either the text or the illustrations and should avoid oversimplification of complex issues and other distortions that would give readers erroneous or misleading information //
 * <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">//Materials that generally are not appropriate for library use, such as textbooks, consumable instructional materials such as workbooks, standardized tests, most periodicals, pamphlets, and catalogs will not be accepted.// <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(Chicago Public Schools)

**<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Procedures and Criteria for Weeding the Collection: **
<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Weeding is essential to maintaining a relevant, attractive collection. Professional library staff should periodically review the collection to determine which materials should be removed or replaced. Weeding decisions should be made by the school’s professional library staff, who may consult with school administrators, other teachers, students, parents, and staff.


 * <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Materials to consider for weeding include: **
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Items that are in poor physical condition //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Items that have been superseded by more current information //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Items containing subject matter no longer needed to support the curriculum //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Items that have not circulated in the past 5 years. //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Items that are inappropriate in reading level //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Items that provide wrong, inaccurate or dated information; or encourages stereotypes or biases //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Items that duplicate information which is no longer in heavy demand //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Contain information which is inaccessible because they lack a table of contents, adequate indexing, and searching capabilities //

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(Chicago Public Schools/Baltimore County Public Schools)

<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">**Process for Reconsideration:**
<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Any member of the community has the right to pose a resource for reconsideration. The librarian receiving the complaint shall to try to resolve the issue informally by: explaining the school's selection objectives, criteria, tools, as well as the qualifications of the personnel in charge of the selection. They should explain the role that the material plays in the educational program and the curriculum justification for the material. The librarian should also keep a written log including name of complainant, title of the material, date, nature of the complaint, and summary of conversations between the parties. The librarian should report the complaint to the building principal on the same day the complaint is received. If the complainant is not satisfied with the aforementioned explanations the patron may fill out a written request for reconsideration and meet with the building principal. If an agreement cannot be reached after speaking with all levels of administration a committee of teachers, parents, administration, and the school librarian will be assembled to hear the complaint and review the material in question. The decision of the committee will be final and the material will not be available for reconsideration for 5 consecutive years. As with the original complaint, the committee's decision will be retained in record form by the librarian. <span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(Iola-Scandinavian School District)

<span style="color: #000000; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">(ALA website)
 * <span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Items to keep in mind when going through reconsideration: **
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">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. //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">No parent has the right to determine reading, viewing, or listening matter for students other than his or her own children. //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The School District supports the Library Bill of Rights, adopted by the American Library Association. (A copy of the Library Bill of Rights is available in the library.) //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">When learning resources are challenged, the principles of the freedom to read/listen/view must be defended as well. //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Access to challenged material shall not be restricted during the reconsideration process. //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The major criterion for the final decision is the appropriateness of the material for its intended educational use. //
 * //<span style="color: #a4350f; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">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. //

"Selection Criteria for School Library Media Center Collections." //Baltimore County Public Schools.// Baltimore County Public Schools, n.d. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. [|http://www.bcps.org/offices/lis/office/admin/selection.html]

“Chicago Public Schools Policy Manual: New Collection Development Policy for School Libraries.” //Chicago Public Schools Policy Manual.// Chicago Public Schools, 22 March 2006. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. []

"District Selection Policy” //Iola-Scandinavia Middle/High School Library.// Iola-Scandinavia School District, 10 Sept. 2001. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. []

//Workbook for Selection Policy Writing//. //ALA.org.// American Library Association, Oct. 1998. Web. 15 Nov. 2011. []