Policies

CHECKOUT

Library materials are checked out for a period of two weeks. It is the responsibility of the student to be aware of the due date and return or renew the material(s).

RENEWAL

Materials may be renewed if the student still needs them. Materials must be brought into the library media center to be renewed.

OVERDUE/LOST BOOKS

We do NOT charge fines for overdue books. However, students are expected to pay for lost and/or damaged books.

We will work with the student to get overdue books back within a reasonable time. The staff may talk directly with the student and their English teacher, if applicable, call the student’s home and send letters. However, once a students pays for the lost book, a refund will NOT be given for books that are later found.

RESTRICTIONS

Students who have lost a book will not be able to check out another book until the lost book is paid for or returned to the Library Media Center.

The Board shall establish, maintain and staff a library media center in every school
in keeping with statutory requirements.

In schools with SBDM school councils, the council shall consult with the school media librarian on the maintenance of the school library media center, including purchase of instructional materials, information technology, and equipment. In schools without SBDM school councils, the librarian and media personnel shall be responsible for coordinating the selection and recommending to the Principal for the purchase of materials and equipment based on the existing collection, the curriculum, and the needs of the school.

GIFTS

Gifts to the library shall be reviewed by and accepted or rejected at the discretion of the librarian, subject to review by the Principal.

REVIEW

The librarian shall inventory and review the collection at least every two years for wear and obsolescence and, with the approval of the Principal, dispose of materials which are no longer suitable for use for these reasons. The librarian will use the CREW Method to determine which materials should be removed from circulation.

REQUEST FOR REVIEW

The review of instructional materials, including textbooks, supplementary materials, library books, audiovisual media, class content, and technology on the basis of citizen concerns will be conducted in response to a properly filed request. Forms for such requests will be made available to any resident of the DISTRICT at the schools and at the Superintendent’s Office. The request shall include a statement of reason for objection and a statement of desired action regarding the material.

In the event of a citizen complaint regarding instructional materials, freedom of information and professional responsibility shall be the guiding principles. The use of challenge material may be restricted until final disposition has been made. However, individuals may be assigned other materials in lieu of those being challenged.

SBDM SCHOOLS

Employees receiving a written request for review of instructional materials shall notify the Principal of the complaint, who shall then notify the Superintendent. The Superintendent shall notify the Board of all complaints filed and the council’s response.

The review process shall be determined by council policy.

Individuals may appeal a council’s decision concerning challenged materials under the Board’s policy on appeal of SBDM decisions (Policy 02.4241).

NON SBDM SCHOOLS

The Superintendent shall direct the selection committee to review the material as follows:

• Review the specific written complaint.

• Read and/or examine the materials in question.

• Determine general acceptance of the challenged materials in the community, other school systems, and professional media.

• Discuss the complaint and merit of the challenged material; make a value judgment based on the materials as a whole, not on parts taken out of context.

• Determine the merit of potential alternative instructional materials.

• Prepare and submit a recommendation to the Superintendent.

• With the Superintendent’s approval, make a reply to the complainant.

• Submit a copy of the response/reply to the Superintendent and to the school from which the complaint originated.

• If the complaint is not resolved satisfactorily at the administrative level, the Superintendent may refer the complaint to the Board.