FCPS Library Advisory Council

Membership, Terms, and Selection Criteria

The Library Advisory Council consists of three representatives from the elementary level, three representatives at the secondary level (at least one each of middle and high), and representatives from the Office of Instructional Technology.  Librarian representatives serve on a rotating 2 year term.  Current and previous council members may reapply at any time.  Council members may serve consecutive terms if selected.

Council positions will be selected by application to the Director and Associate Directors of Technology

Culturally Inclusive Collections

Culturally Responsive Collections Defined

 Culturally responsive collections include materials that foster cultural competence, defined as “a set of academic and interpersonal skills that allow individuals to increase their understanding, sensitivity, appreciation, and responsiveness to cultural differences and interactions resulting from them.”  Culturally responsive collections reflect the diversity of the world our students live in, acknowledge struggle and highlight achievement, in an effort to affirm the voices and stories within our world. 

 To be considered culturally responsive a book must pass a two-prong test: 

 1. It allows the reader to increase their awareness, understanding, sensitivity, appreciation or responsiveness to cultural differences and similarities. 

2. It must be written by, about, or from the perspective of, traditionally underrepresented or marginalized populations, including, but not limited to:

African Americans

Asian Americans

Differently abled / neurodiverse

Hispanic Americans/Latinx

LGBTQ+ persons

Non predominant Religious Groups

Indigenous People

Racially mixed people

Other ethnic groups

Nontraditional gender roles

Diverse families and life circumstances