Selection Policy
Policy Statement:
The library media center at Bear Branch Junior High will strive to support and enrich the curriculum set forth by the State of Texas and adopted by the Magnolia ISD Board of Education with materials that are consistent with the aims and objectives of the District and campus improvement plans. Selection of resources is an ongoing process that includes the removal of resources no longer appropriate and the periodic replacement or repair of resources that still have educational value. Magnolia ISD possesses significant discretion to determine the content of its school libraries in a manner consistent with the First Amendment.
Policy Specifics:
In the selection of resources, professional staff shall ensure that the resources:
Meet high standards for artistic quality and/or literary style, authenticity, educational significance, factual content, physical format, presentation, readability, and technical quality.
Are designed to help students gain an awareness of our pluralistic society.
Are designed to provide information that will motivate students and staff to examine their own attitudes and behavior, to understand their duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges as citizens participating in our society; and to make informed choices in their daily lives.
Are integral to the instructional program, are appropriate for the reading levels and understanding of students, reflect the interests and needs of the students and faculty, are included because of their literary or artistic value and merit, and present information with the greatest degree of accuracy and clarity.
Stimulate growth for information and enjoyment of reading and an aesthetic appreciation.
In addition, administrators, teachers, library media specialists, other District personnel, parents, and community members, as appropriate, may recommend instructional resources for selection. Gifts of instructional resources shall be evaluated according to these criteria and accepted or rejected in accordance with District guidelines.
“It is the responsibility of publishers and librarians to give full meaning to the freedom to read by providing books that enrich the quality and diversity of thought and expression. By the exercise of this affirmative responsibility, they can demonstrate that the answer to a "bad" book is a good one, the answer to a "bad" idea is a good one.” (ALA, AAP, 2004)
Procedures:
Library media specialists will assess and evaluate the existing print and digital collection, curriculum needs, and the results of a community analysis to identify collection demands.
Arrange, when possible, for firsthand examination or virtual previews of items to be purchased.
Use reputable, unbiased, professionally prepared selection aids when first hand examination of materials is not possible. Among the sources to be consulted are:
Horn Book; Kirkuk Reviews; Book Report; Booklist; Library Journal; School Library Journal and other appropriate sources. Professional books lists and reviews published by the American Library Association, the National Council of Teachers of English, and H.W. Wilson Company are consulted in the selection of materials for the library media center.
Consider recommendations from faculty and students.
Judge gift items by standard selection criteria and, upon acceptance of such items, reserve the right to incorporate into the collection only those meeting the above criteria.
Purchase duplicates of extensively used material.
Purchase replacements for worn, damaged, or missing materials basic to the collection.
Determine a procedure for preventative maintenance and repair of material.
The Library Media Center adapts to the needs of its patrons and community first and foremost; however, when it comes to formulating and following policies and procedures, the Library Media Center begins with those written by the American Association for School Librarians, a branch of the American Library Association, and works down to those set by the Magnolia Independent School District Board of Education and Administration.