Library Selection Guidelines and Reconsideration Policies

The Lafayette School District Library Selection Guidelines/Policy is designed to serve and support the curriculum and the needs and specific interests of our students, as well as the informational and recreational needs of the school community. The collection development process encompasses selection, acquisition, evaluation and maintenance of library media center materials.  The library provides a wide range of materials for varied levels of reading, in a variety of formats including but not limited to print and digital media selected to enrich curriculum and foster the development of our students intellectually and socially.

A Selection Policy is Necessary to:

• Maintain a balanced and broad collection of materials and resources for information, research and recreation.

• Encourage a lifelong appreciation and habit of reading.

• Ensure continued growth of the collection in conjunction with the defined goals and objectives of the curriculum.

• Provide a measure of response to community concerns.

• Provide guidelines for selection of materials and resources.

• Provide a measure of evaluation for the current collection.

The Mission of the Selection Guidelines/Policy is to:

• Support the academic, professional and personal needs of the school community.

• Support students at all academic levels and interests.

• Encourage, inspire and stimulate students’ interests and appreciation for reading and learning.

Ongoing Collection Development Goals

1. Perform collection analysis to determine strengths and needs of current collection.

2. Collaborate with Teachers, Administrators, Library Specialists, Teacher Librarian, Instructional Coaches and others about recommended materials to ensure that the full range of information resources is available in the collection to promote student learning.

3. Weed sections of the library to eliminate torn, defaced and worn out items.

4. Replace weeded materials with updated versions if need is demonstrated.

5. Maintain current and in-depth knowledge about the complete range of educational and informational materials available.

6. Maintain a collection that is diverse in format and content to support the learning needs of students and teachers.

7. Evaluate, acquire, and promote information resources to meet the learning needs of all learners.

Responsibility for Selection

The selection of school library materials and resources is the responsibility of the District Librarian, Library Specialists, Teacher Librarian, Administrators, and Teachers and other professional staff. The school Library Specialists and the Teacher Librarian have the final responsibility for developing and maintaining the library collection of print and non-print materials.

Criteria for Selection

Materials and resources selected for the Lafayette School District Libraries are based on the merit of the work and its relevance to the needs, interests and demands of the curriculum. The library neither endorses any particular views or beliefs, nor is the selection of materials by the school an endorsement of any particular viewpoint or author. The responsibility for students reading rests with their parent or legal guardian.

The selection of library materials is based on the patrons’ right to read and their freedom from censorship by others. Selections are not made on the basis of personal approval or disapproval. The merits of the work, its relationship to the collection as a whole, and service to the library community will be the primary considerations. Selection is made with respect to the age appropriateness of the materials. However, the responsibility for students’ reading rests with their parents or legal guardians.

The Following Criteria are used as a Guide in the Selection Process:

• Contemporary significance or permanent value.

• Contribution to the curriculum and educational goals of the school.

• Relevance to the interests of students.

• Favorable reviews published in standard selection resources.

• Authority, reputation and significance of the author, illustrator, or publisher.

• Contribution to the breadth and diversity of viewpoints.

• Reflect the diversity of the community and world we inhabit.

• Quality, durability and variety of format.

• Suitability of format and appearance for intended use.

• Value, proportionate to cost and/or need.

• Patron and staff requests are carefully considered in relation to the total library collection and budget.

• Gifts of materials that have no conditions as to use are accepted and must meet the same standards of age appropriateness and its relationship to the collection as a whole.

Selection Tools

• Recommendations of national, state and school districts (California Department of Education)

• Award lists (American Library Association)

• Periodicals of professional reviews and awards accessed by Follett’s Titlewave Software

• Book vendors and subscription book services such as Junior Library Guild

• Educational online resources and book lists recommended by book publishers 

Selection Process

In selecting materials, the Library Specialists and the Teacher Librarian will follow established district procedure. In selecting materials for the school library media programs, the classified and certificated library media personnel will: evaluate the existing collection; assess curricular needs; examine materials and consult reputable, and utilize professionally prepared selection aids. Recommendations for acquisition will be solicited from faculty and students. Each school library is a part of a total district library program. Cooperation with other school libraries enables collaboration and sharing of items otherwise unavailable through inter-library loans (ILLs).

Weeding the Collection

Weeding requires the same thoughtful consideration as selection. The goals of the library, availability of funding for replacement titles, usefulness and accuracy of the materials should all be considered. Weeding provides a more appealing, up to date collection, guarantees a reputation for reliable information, provides feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the collection, identifies materials that need repair and makes space for new materials. In general, last copies and out of print materials are retained, if their informational value is secure.

Books that should be weeded from the collection include:

• Duplicate copies of materials no longer in demand (3-5 years without use)

• Titles that have been superseded by newer editions

• Books  that are worn, damaged, or not in sufficient demand to warrant extensive repair

• Materials that contain out of date or no longer accurate information

• Sets of textbooks and old textbooks unless a single copies is used for reference

• Sets of readers that can be returned to the classroom or other storage areas

Segal’s guide MUSTY is used for weeding:

• M = misleading or inaccurate information

• U = ugly condition, beyond repair

• S = superseded by newer editions

• T = trivial of no literary or scientific merit

• Y = your collection has no use for this item

Commonly accepted practices include considering the age of the item and the last date it circulated.

Procedures for Addressing Challenged Materials

Any staff member or Parents/Guardians of children enrolled in the school district may formally challenge library materials on the basis of appropriateness. This procedure is for the purpose of considering the opinions of those persons in the schools and the community who are not directly involved in the selection process.

Request for Informal Reconsideration

The school receiving a complaint regarding a learning resource shall try to resolve the issue informally.

The principal or other appropriate staff shall explain to the questioner the school’s selection procedure, criteria, and qualifications of those persons selecting the resource.

The principal or other appropriate staff shall explain the particular place the questioned resource occupies in the library program, its intended educational usefulness, and/or additional information regarding its use, or refer the party to someone who can identify and explain the use of the resource.

The principal can provide information on the following:

• The District’s Instructional Goals and Objectives

• Library Selection Guidelines/Policy statement

• Procedure for Handling Objections