Library FAQ

Yes. To view the library catalog, please visit the Search Your Library page and click on your student’s campus. You do not need to be logged in to view the catalog.

Yes. Parents may check out books from the home campus of their student. The books will be checked out to the student and both parties will be responsible for returning the borrowed materials.

No. Library staff build collections based on funding, curriculum alliance, age appropriateness and student interest.

Library check out is voluntary. Please email the school’s librarian and provide detailed information about what materials you would like restricted. The librarian will add a notification to the student’s account.

In accordance with Shepherd ISD Board Policy EF (LOCAL)​, librarians are instructed to purchase items that:

• Enrich and support the curriculum

• Stimulate growth in factual knowledge, enjoyment of reading, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and societal standards.

• Develop a balanced collection presenting multiple viewpoints

• Represent many ethnic, religious, and cultural groups

• Represent diverse viewpoints and cultures

• Provide a wide range of background information

• Demonstrate literary merit, quality, value, and significance

• Include accurate and authentic factual content

• Have a high degree of potential user appeal and interest

• Are requested or recommended by students and teachers

• Mirror selections found in neighboring districts or libraries in the region

Additionally, when selecting new items, library staff are encouraged to:

• Read book reviews written by those in the library field ​

• View and read actual item copies (vendors, bookstores, other libraries) ​

• Survey patrons and respond to community needs ​

• Run collection analyses to determine collection areas that need updating and inclusion ​

• Curate collections that enable students to see themselves in the collection ​

• Choose a variety of books that enable patrons to feel welcome and safe

In Shepherd ISD, we have a process that we follow for book challenges in accordance with Shepherd ISD Board Policy EF (LOCAL)​. The board policy states:

Informal Reconsideration

When the District or a campus receives an objection to the appro- priateness of a library material, the appropriate librarian or adminis- trator shall try to resolve the matter informally. The librarian or ad- ministrator shall explain the selection process and discuss the intended purpose for the library material. If appropriate, the librar- ian or administrator may offer a concerned parent an alternative li- brary material to be used by that parent’s child in place of the chal- lenged material.

If the complainant wishes to make a formal challenge, the adminis- trator shall provide the complainant a copy of this policy and a form to request a formal reconsideration of the library material.

Formal Reconsideration

A complainant shall make any formal challenge to a library material on the form provided by the District and shall submit the completed and signed form to the District librarian. Upon receipt of the form, the District librarian shall appoint a reconsideration committee.

The reconsideration committee shall include the librarian and at least one member of the instructional staff who has experience us- ing the challenged material with students or is familiar with the challenged material’s content. Other members of the committee may include District-level staff, secondary-level students, parents, and any other appropriate individuals.

All members of the committee shall review the challenged library material in its entirety. As soon as reasonably possible, the commit- tee shall meet and determine whether the challenged material con- forms to the principles of selection set out in this policy and whether the challenged material will continue to be used in the ed- ucational program. The committee shall prepare a written report of its findings. The Superintendent, other appropriate administrators, and the complainant shall receive copies of the report.

Appeal

The complainant may appeal the decision of the reconsideration committee in accordance with appropriate complaint policies, start- ing at the appropriate level. [See DGBA, FNG, and GF]