Austin ISD's 112 campus libraries provide a wide range of library materials for students and faculty, tailored to the needs and interests of each individual campus community.

In Austin ISD, developing library collections is the responsibility of certified school librarian or other trained professional staff at each campus. This is done at the campus level to honor the diversity across the district in terms of students' interests, reading levels, cultures, languages, etc., as well as campus programs, priorities, budgets, and goals. Each library collection is curated specifically for the unique campus community that it serves.

Collection Development

A library collection is a living organism that is continuously developing to meet the changing needs and interests of students and staff. This ongoing process involves much more than just adding new books, although that is the most fun part! Collection development is a professional practice that also includes collecting input, analysis and planning, systematically discarding materials that are no longer relevant, and more.

also requires knowing the curriculum, students, and school community; understanding the policies and guidelines; analyzing data and considering input from multiple stakeholders;

systematically discarding materials when they are no longer relevant, and more. ,

In Austin ISD, library collection development is the responsibility of certified school librarian or other trained professional staff at each campus. This happens at the campus level because of the diversity across the district in terms of students' interests, reading levels, cultures, languages, etc., as well as campus programs, priorities, budgets, and goals. Each library collection is developed specifically for the unique campus community that it serves.

The district follows the Texas State Library and Archive Commission’s standards for school library collection development. in compliance with the Board-approved district collection development policy, which is available to the public at LINK TO POLICY.

TEXT AND LINK REGARDING CLASSROOM LIBRARIES

Purpose of the Library Collection

Library resources support student achievement and engagement in many ways, including:

enriching and supporting the state and local curriculum
encouraging the enjoyment of reading
providing accurate content from reliable sources
offering a wide range of reading levels, topics, genres, and points of view
ensuring all students have consistent access to a variety of reading materials

Selection Criteria for Library Materials

In a school library, librarians carefully and thoughtfully select books for the library's collection using multiple criteria as set out in the Collection Development Policy. The selections will vary depending on the specific educational goals and needs of the students and school community.

Curriculum Alignment: Librarians prioritize books that align with the District's curriculum and educational objectives. They look for materials that support classroom learning and research needs.
Age Appropriateness: Books are selected based on the age and grade levels of the students in the school. Librarians consider the reading abilities and developmental stages of students to ensure that books are age-appropriate.
Diversity and Inclusion: Librarians aim to provide a diverse and inclusive collection that reflects the cultural, ethnic, and social backgrounds of the school's student population. This includes selecting books with diverse characters, authors, and perspectives.
Literary Quality: Books are chosen for their literary merit and quality of writing. Librarians look for engaging and well-written texts that will captivate students' interest.
Reading Levels: Librarians consider a range of reading levels to accommodate students with varying reading abilities. They select books that cater to emerging readers as well as advanced readers.
Student Interests: Librarians take into account the interests and preferences of the students. They select books that cater to a variety of interests and genres to encourage a love of reading.
Reviews and Recommendations: Librarians often rely on professional book reviews, recommendations from educators, and feedback from students when making selections. Reviews can provide insights into a book's quality and suitability.
Community Standards: Librarians are mindful of the community's values and standards when selecting books. They aim to strike a balance between offering diverse viewpoints and respecting community expectations.
Current Events and Topics: Librarians may choose books that address current events, topics, or issues relevant to students' lives or the curriculum.
Lists and Award Winners: Librarians review state and national awards lists and often include those titles in their book orders.
Format and Medium: Librarians consider various formats, such as print books, e-books, audiobooks, and multimedia resources, to cater to different learning styles and needs.
Circulation and Demand: Books that are in high demand or have a history of being popular among students may be given priority.

Librarians work to create a well-rounded and dynamic collection that meets the educational and recreational needs of the school's students while promoting literacy and a love of reading. They review and update the collection regularly to ensure its relevance and quality.

Access to Library Materials and the Library Catalog

Students have access to the campus library and the opportunity to self-select independent reading materials as part of their literacy development during scheduled class visits and/or individual visits before, during, or after classes, depending on the level and library schedule. Parents and guardians can check the campus website or contact the librarian at their student's school for information about the library hours and procedures for that specific campus.

A catalog of the materials in all AISD campus library collections is available to the public at http://catalog.austinisd.org. Parents and guardians may access the library at their student's school in person by contacting the principal for an appointment.

Role of Parents and Guardians

The district recognizes that parents are the primary decision makers regarding their students’ access to library materials and encourages parents and students to talk together about what they are reading. If students self-select library materials that are not a good fit for them, they have the option to return an item and make a different choice. Parents’ ability to exercise control over library materials extends only to their own children.

LEANDER

With a wide range of ability, maturity and backgrounds among students, not all materials will appeal to, or be appropriate for, all students. In alignment with policy EF (LOCAL), every parent reserves the right to guide what his or her own student reads and to select reading or instructional materials that support their family’s unique set of views and opinions. No student shall ever be required to choose a library item that conflicts with their personal values and beliefs. We encourage parents and children to talk together about the materials students are reading and welcome parents to visit with their campus librarian to discuss any specific needs for their family.

Request for Reconsideration (a.k.a. "challenges")

Parents and guardians of current district students and district staff members may request that a campus reconsider the inclusion of a resource in the library collection on the basis of appropriateness. This process is clearly

(Note: This is the process to request the reconsideration of a resource that is available for student-selected voluntary reading in the campus library or a classroom book collection. To request the reconsideration of a resource used for instruction or assigned reading, do _______.)

Links and Additional Resources

Austin ISD Library Catalog

Board Policy EFB - Library Resources

Texas State Librarian and Archives Commission

Reconsideration Process for Challenged Books

Request for Reconsideration of a Library Resource - FORM

SOMETHING POSITIVE ABOUT LIBRARIES

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