WILL COUNTY DISTRICT 92
LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER MATERIALS SELECTION PROCEDURE
Library media center materials* are selected by the school district to direct, strengthen, and enrich the educational program for Will County District 92 students. Materials must serve both the expanse of the curriculum and the needs and interests of the students. It is the obligation of District 92 to provide for a wide range of abilities and to respect the diversity of many differing points of view.
*For the purpose of this selection procedure, the term “library media center materials” will refer to any materials with instructional content or function that are used for teaching/learning purposes.
SELECTION STANDARDS AND CRITERIA
The selection of library media center materials is delegated to the library media specialist in collaboration with the building principal. Library media center materials are selected by the library media specialist with due regard to suggestions from faculty, students, parents and principal approval. Professionally recognized reviewing periodicals, standard catalogs, and other selection aids are used by the library media specialist to guide in selection. Selection of library media center materials is made by the library media specialist of the school in which the center is housed using the following standards and criteria for selection:
PHILOSOPHY FOR THE SELECTION OF MATERIALS
The library media specialists and building administration of Will County District 92 accept as their objectives of media selection those stated in the following section of the American Library Association School Library Bill of Rights:
Source: American Library Association Library Bill of Rights 2011
RESPONSIBILITY OF MATERIAL SELECTION
STATEMENT ON SELECTION OF SCHOOL MEDIA CENTER MATERIALS
Materials for the media centers district-wide are selected by the library media specialists with due regard to suggestions from the faculty, parents, and students. Final selection is made by the library media specialist and building administration of the school in which the center is housed. Professionally recognized periodicals, standard catalogs, and other selection aides are used by the library media specialists to guide them in their selection.
SELECTION CRITERIA
PROCEDURES FOR SELECTION OF LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER MATERIALS
LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER MATERIALS SELECTION PROCEDURE
Library media center materials* are selected by the school district to direct, strengthen, and enrich the educational program for Will County District 92 students. Materials must serve both the expanse of the curriculum and the needs and interests of the students. It is the obligation of District 92 to provide for a wide range of abilities and to respect the diversity of many differing points of view.
*For the purpose of this selection procedure, the term “library media center materials” will refer to any materials with instructional content or function that are used for teaching/learning purposes.
SELECTION STANDARDS AND CRITERIA
The selection of library media center materials is delegated to the library media specialist in collaboration with the building principal. Library media center materials are selected by the library media specialist with due regard to suggestions from faculty, students, parents and principal approval. Professionally recognized reviewing periodicals, standard catalogs, and other selection aids are used by the library media specialist to guide in selection. Selection of library media center materials is made by the library media specialist of the school in which the center is housed using the following standards and criteria for selection:
- Learning resources shall support and be consistent with the general educational goals of the state and district and the aims and objectives of individual schools and specific courses
- Learning resources shall meet high standards of quality in factual content and presentation.
- Learning resources shall be appropriate for the subject area and for the age, emotional development, ability level, learning styles, and social development of the students for whom the materials are selected.
- Physical format and appearance of learning resources shall be suitable for their intended use.
- Learning resources shall be designed to help students gain an awareness of our pluralistic society.
- Learning resources shall be designed to motivate students and staff to examine their own duties, responsibilities, rights, and privileges as participating citizens in our society, and to make informed judgments in their daily lives.
- Learning resources shall be selected for their strengths rather than rejected for their weaknesses.
- The selection of learning resources on controversial issues will be directed toward maintaining a diverse collection representing various views.
- Learning resources shall clarify historical and contemporary forces by presenting and analyzing tension and conflict objectively, placing emphasis on recognizing and understanding social and economic problem.
- The presence of any library media center materials does not indicate endorsement of its content.
PHILOSOPHY FOR THE SELECTION OF MATERIALS
The library media specialists and building administration of Will County District 92 accept as their objectives of media selection those stated in the following section of the American Library Association School Library Bill of Rights:
- Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
- Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
- Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
- Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
- A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
Source: American Library Association Library Bill of Rights 2011
RESPONSIBILITY OF MATERIAL SELECTION
- The ultimate responsibility for the selection of library school media materials resides with the Board of Education. The Board of Education and the administration of the school delegate the actual selection of materials to the certified library media specialist of each building. School media materials are selected in accordance with the policies of the district.
- The District Assistant Superintendent will serve as a consultant and advisor in problems of selection.
- In situations of selection controversy, the Superintendent shall consider the advice and recommendations of the library media professionals and the principals and make a final decision.
STATEMENT ON SELECTION OF SCHOOL MEDIA CENTER MATERIALS
Materials for the media centers district-wide are selected by the library media specialists with due regard to suggestions from the faculty, parents, and students. Final selection is made by the library media specialist and building administration of the school in which the center is housed. Professionally recognized periodicals, standard catalogs, and other selection aides are used by the library media specialists to guide them in their selection.
SELECTION CRITERIA
- Each media center should use the following criteria to select materials that are appropriate:
- Materials are an integral part of the instructional program of the building;
- Materials are appropriate for the reading level and understanding of the students in the school;
- Materials reflect the interests and needs of the students and faculty served by the media center;
- Materials merit inclusion in the collection because of the literary and/or artistic value;
- Materials present information with the greatest degree of accuracy and clarity possible;
- Materials represent a fair and unbiased presentation of information representing diverse opinions in order that students may have varying viewpoints available; and
- Materials representing cultural diversity.
PROCEDURES FOR SELECTION OF LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER MATERIALS
- In selecting library media center materials, the library media specialists will evaluate available resources and curriculum needs and will consult professionally accepted selection aids.
- Gift materials will be judged by the same selection criteria as items being ordered by the district and will be accepted or rejected by those criteria.
- Selection is an ongoing process which should include the removal of media center materials which no longer meet established selection criteria and the replacement of lost or worn materials still of educational value.
- The library media specialist will work cooperatively with staff members to interpret and guide the application of this policy in making selections for the library media center. However, final responsibility for selection of materials for the library media center lies with the library media specialist and building administration.