Purpose & Function

Comprehensive school library policy and procedure manuals (SLPPM) are useful for practicing school librarians and essential for new ones. As best practice, school librarians, along with administrative and community representatives, should create policies which support the philosophy, mission and vision of the district and school in which they are located. School library policies should also state the philosophy, mission and vision, role and goals/objectives of the school library including defining:

• The school library as a student learning environment,
• The ways the school library connects to other areas of the school community, and
• The place of the school library in the overall school strategic plan.

An exemplary school library policy and procedure manual will include guidelines on:

• Personnel
• Operations
• Planning
• Budget
• Collection Development
• Circulation
• Instructional Services
• Facility Use
• Programs
• Advocacy & Partnerships
• Leadership

Position statements on the following topics should also accompany general school library policies and procedures:

• Intellectual Freedom
• Right to Read
• Patron Privacy
• Technology Use
• Media Use
• Copyright

Strategic Planning documents including:

• Recommendations for Future Changes or Improvements
• Documentation of Developments/Renovations/Major Purchases over the Last 5 Years

Other valuable and essential information should be documented in the school library policy and procedure manual as outlined in the following tabs.