Policies and Procedures
District Level Policies
Having well-written district level policies and procedures in place will provide an equitable and transparent path should you be faced with a request to reconsider library materials. These district policies include:
Collection Development Policy
Reconsideration of Library Material Policy
School Library Mission Statement
Collection Development Policy
"A selection policy should state in broad general terms what a public, school, or academic library is trying to accomplish and then more specifically its objectives of selection." - ALA Selection and Policy Toolkit (2017)
Pennsylvania School Board Policy 109 and 109.1
Selection & Policy Toolkit for Public, School, and Academic Libraries | American Library Association
Reconsideration Policy
"The reconsideration section in the selection policy establishes the framework for any person or group registering a complaint or formal challenge to library resources and possible resolutions for all involved." - ALA Selection and Policy Toolkit (2017)
Sample Reconsideration Policies
Library Mission Statement:
a central, guiding statement that defines the library's purpose
PSLA Mission Statement: "The Pennsylvania School Librarians Association is dedicated to transforming teaching and learning through quality school library programs"
AASL Mission Statement: "The mission of the American Association of School Librarians is to advocate excellence, facilitate change, and develop leaders in the school library media field"
ALA Mission Statement: "The mission of the American Library Association is to provide leadership for the development, promotion, and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all"
Resources for Labeling/Ratings Systems
Additional Resources for Policy Development
ALA Selection & Reconsideration Policy Toolkit
https://www.ala.org/tools/challengesupport/selectionpolicytoolkit
Links to ALA website for tools for creating Selection Policy, Reconsideration Procedure and other IF items.
c2019. The Guidelines for Pennsylvania School Library Programs begin with eight indicators of an effective school library program, and expand on these to provide goals, guidelines, and resources appropriate to Pennsylvania schools. The Guidelines complement the National School Library Standards for Learners, School Librarians, and School Libraries published by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL, 2018), providing a model of excellence for Pennsylvania school library programs.
National Council of Teachers of English - 2018 Position Statement Students' Right to Read