2024-2025 Greenspun Junior High School Library Collection Policy 

In accordance with CCSD Regulation 6150:

School library resources shall be selected on the following basis:

1. The library-media center in each school shall have a written policy for the selection of school library resources supportive of the school instructional program.

2. The principal, in consultation with the teacher-librarian and the library-media center committee, is responsible for the selection of library materials within each school. Each school shall have a library-media center committee to serve in an advisory capacity in the selection process for school library resources. The committee will be appointed by the principal and will include the teacher- librarian, three teachers, two parents/guardians, and the principal or designee.

3. A wide range of school library resources which present different points of view at all levels of difficulty will be provided.

4. School library resources selected for use in schools will accurately portray contributions made to our society by persons from diverse backgrounds.

5. School library resources shall be culturally and historically responsive and reflective of individual student needs, linguistic backgrounds, interests, socioeconomics, maturity, and academic level, as well as encourage growth in literary knowledge, aesthetic appreciation, and ethical standards.

6. Requests from students and the professional staff will be considered.

Library materials are selected based on all of the above criteria and expectations as outlined in CCSD Regulation 6150.  Selection is based on professional reviews from School Library Journal, Booklist, American Library Association, The Horn Book, Kirkus Reviews, New York Times Book Review, AR Bookfind, and more, as well as award winning lists such as The Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, The Coretta Scott King Book Award, and more.  

The Greenspun Junior High Library recognizes the challenges in selecting independent reading that appeals to a wide variety of ages in terms of readiness and maturity, with student ages ranging from 11 years old to 15 years old.  In an effort to be able to provide such a wide selection, a policy is in place that requires students to seek a parent or legal guardian permission signature for books that are designated on arbookfind.com as "UG" for "Upper Grades" and that may include violence, sexual situations, or profanity in the description.  Books in the Greenspun Junior High School library that require parent permission are clearly labeled on the cover, and trigger an alert message when scanned at the circulation desk.  A parent permission form specific to each book is then printed and given to the student to take home and seek the signature of a parent or guardian.  The requested book is then placed on hold behind the library circulation desk until such time as the student returns with the signed permission slip.  After 48 hours, if the student has not returned with a signed permission slip, the book is simply re-shelved.  Signed permission slips are kept on file for three years and then shredded in accordance with CCSD policies and FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act).  

Books that require parent permission signature to check out must still be selected in accordance with CCSD Regulation 6150, such that they "...shall be culturally and historically responsive and reflective of individual student needs, linguistic backgrounds, interests, socioeconomics, maturity, and academic level, as well as encourage growth in literary knowledge, aesthetic appreciation, and ethical standards".

It is also important to note that students are never required to check out books from the Greenspun Junior High School library, especially as it concerns to earning credit for independent reading in their reading and/or English classes (ie: Accelerated Reader points).  The Greenspun library houses approximately 15,000 books that are available for students to check out, and every book in our collection is an Accelerated Reader book, which can be read to earn points for credit and/or contests and incentives.  However, there are currently more than 214,000 Accelerated Books in the world, which means that there are many, many, more choices for students outside of the Greenspun library as well.  The full and continually updated collection of AR books can be viewed publicly at ARbookfind.com.  Students may read books for credit or contests from home, other libraries, bookstores, and other sources, as long as they are included the the ever-growing collection of Accelerated Reader. 

The complete Greenspun library catalog, including all print as well as ebook titles and research databases, can be viewed by registered students and staff at Destinydiscover.com.  Students may log in with Clever, or they may log in using their student ID number for username, and their legal first name for password.  Students may view their current and past book checkouts and dute dates, view fines, search the library catalog, and access CCSD research databases. 

Challenges to the collection: 

According to Section IV and V of CCSD Regulation 6150: 

IV. It is recognized that differences of opinion regarding certain instructional materials will exist. The principal shall have the responsibility of making the final selection where differences occur. However, to the extent possible, the principal will utilize procedures that enable lay citizens and professional staff to register their reactions and suggestions regarding individual instructional materials.

V. A forum for public or staff reaction to any supplemental textbooks, school library resources, or procedures will be provided. A review of the material or procedure may be initiated by completing the Request for Review of Supplemental Textbooks, School Library Resources, or Procedures form.

A. Challenges to supplemental textbooks and school library resources:

1. A challenge to a supplemental textbook or a school library resource is initiated if a completed Request for Review of Supplemental Textbooks, School Library Resources, or Procedures form is received by the principal or designee.

2. The library media committee shall serve in a review capacity for reviews, and consulting standard evaluation aids. Opinions should be based on the material as a whole without judging passages out of context.

3. For supplemental textbooks, the committee may:
   a. Allow the use of supplemental textbooks with students for instruction; or
   b. Deny the use of supplemental textbooks with students for instruction.

4. For school library resources, the committee may:
   a. Leave the school library resource in the library on open shelving;
   b. Remove the school library resource from the library on open shelving; or
   c. Place the school library resource on open shelving to be circulated only to students with written parental permission.