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Library Media Collections
Glastonbury Public Schools maintains library collections to represent a wide variety of viewpoints and perspectives in support of the diverse interests and needs of our student population. We understand that parents and community members will not always agree on what materials are appropriate.
Our libraries include quality independent reading materials for our students. Teachers and librarians will offer reading suggestions when a student either requires or requests this assistance. No reading is required through the school library. NOTE: We encourage parents to monitor the materials their children are selecting to read. We also encourage parents to regularly discuss these materials with their children.
The process for selection of library materials is outlined in Board of Education Policy 6163.1.
Library Collections Frequently Asked Questions
Library Collections Frequently Asked Questions
What is the process for selecting new books for the library?
What is the process for selecting new books for the library?
Library Media Specialists consult professional resources when selecting new books, such as The School Library Journal, BookList, and the American Library Association (ALA), American Association of School Libraries (AASL), and Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), etc. These credible, professional organizations are used by nearly all public high schools across the state of Connecticut.
Library Media Specialists may also consider requests from students and recommendations from publishing company representatives, but they rely on the endorsements by the professional resources stated above and then research relevance and appropriateness of content through reviews provided by CommonSenseMedia.org, CT Association of School Librarians and/or other critics. They seek multiple reviews to verify appropriateness of materials. No book is purchased without this research and review.
Please note that each text is not read in its entirety by the library media specialists. This would not be feasible given the volume of our library content. This process for selecting new books is consistent with the expectations outlined by the Board of Education Policy 6163.1.
Who is responsible for determining what topics are appropriate for children?
Who is responsible for determining what topics are appropriate for children?
Our library media specialists rely on professional organizations for relevant and high-interest reads. The library media specialists curate the collection with these purposes in mind:
to complement, enrich and support the school curriculum;
to serve the varied interests, abilities and maturity levels of the pupils;
to foster an interest in reading and learning as lifelong activities through exposure to a variety of materials; and
to represent diverse perspectives to enable students to make informed judgments.
NOTE: Each book in the collection does not serve every purpose named above.
Do library books support the curriculum?
Do library books support the curriculum?
They do not always support the curriculum. That is not the intended purpose for every library resource (see bullets above).
How do I review the library collection at a school?
How do I review the library collection at a school?
Each school's library catalog is accessible online. On each school’s library media website there is a link to our Destiny database of library materials, which may include books, ebooks, and audio books. The catalog can be searched by subject, keyword, title, or author.
You may access each school's catalog by clicking here.
How do I request that my child's access to particular library titles be restricted?
How do I request that my child's access to particular library titles be restricted?
Following Board of Education Policy 1313, a parent or guardian may send a written request listing restricted titles to the school principal. The school principal will work with the Director of Library Media to ensure the requested restriction is adhered to.
How do I initiate the reconsideration process for a book in the library?
How do I initiate the reconsideration process for a book in the library?
Despite the care used in the selection of materials, questions and concerns may arise. Any member of the public or school community may question a specific title by following the steps outlined in the Board of Education Policy 6163.1. The first step is to contact the school’s library media specialist to discuss concerns with and the merits of the book in question.
How is a school's library collection maintained for timeliness and relevance?
How is a school's library collection maintained for timeliness and relevance?
As carefully as we consider each library purchase, we also thoughtfully determine whether or not library resources remain in the collection at each school. This process, known as “weeding,” occurs routinely at the end of each school year. Library media specialists at each building examine about a quarter of their collection each year. There are many factors considered in weeding the collection.
Worn and damaged titles
Superseded editions
Unnecessary duplicate titles (based on circulation)
Material containing information not easily accessible: no table of contents, no index, contents poorly organized
Material that is inaccurate factually or outdated in interpretations and attitudes
Inappropriateness of material format, reading level and interest level
Material which originally supported curriculum but no longer does so
Material that is stereotyped, biased, or patronizing
Material that has not circulated frequently
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