Per MCPS policy, all materials that are used with or by students must be evaluated and approved for use before they are purchased, cataloged, and circulated with students.

• Staff members should consult DAE (Database of Accountable Evaluations) prior to purchasing materials. Directions for accessing DAE and locating approved materials can be found here.

• If library materials are not found in DAE and need to be approved for purchase and use, staff should complete MCPS Form 325-65: Record of Evaluation of Instructional Materials. This form requires review and signature of more than one instructional staff member. Reviews from professional journals may be used in place of a second signature on Form 325-65.

When reviewing and evaluating materials for purchase, the title and date of a positive review of the material in one of the following professional reviewing sources can be listed as the second signature on MCPS Form 325-65:

• School Library Journal

• Booklist

• Hornbook

These sources can be consulted to identify resources for the library's collection:

• ALSC Children's Notable Lists

• Black-Eyed Susan Nominees

• Blue Crab Young Reader Awards

• Latinx in Kids Lit

• CABA Book Awards

• Teaching Books Diverse Book Toolkit

• School Library Journal's Best Lists

• We Need Diverse Books