Dutton Christian School Library Media Center Selection Policy

Transcription

1 Dutton Christian School Library Media Center Selection Policy I. Statement of Philosophy & Definition of Library Resources The purpose of the library at Dutton Christian is to ensure that students and staff effectively use ideas and information that enhance Christian instruction and scholarship. Providing materials that enrich the curriculum and serve the individual reading needs of the students. Providing instruction to foster competence and stimulate interest in reading, viewing, and using information and ideas. Working with other educators to design learning strategies to meet the needs of classes and individual students. II. Selection Objectives To provide intellectual access to information through systematic learning activities which develop cognitive strategies for selecting, retrieving, analyzing, evaluating, systematizing, and creating information in all curriculum areas. To provide resources and activities that contribute to life- long learning while accommodating a wide range of differences in teaching and learning styles as well as instructional methods, interest, and capacities. To provide a facility that functions as the information center of the school and as a locus for integrated, interdisciplinary learning activities. To provide physical access to information through: access to information and materials outside the library media center and the school building through such mechanisms as inter- library loan, networking, and other cooperative agreements, and on- line searching of databases. Instructing the students in the operation of equipment necessary to use the information in any format. III. Responsibility for Selection Dutton Christian School acknowledges that the school board is legally responsible and delegates the head librarian the authority to select. Selection of materials is a team effort, but the Head Librarian is ultimately the person responsible for the selection of materials. The head librarian will solicit and gather input from teachers, administration, and students in the selection process. 1

2 IV. Selection Criteria Dutton Christian School incorporates materials of various formats in the library. Materials in book format comprise a majority of both the elementary and middle school library, but also include periodicals/magazines, ebooks, globes, comic books, and audio books. Textbooks will not be included in the materials selected. 11 criteria are used in selection of materials followed by a set of general guidelines that the head librarian will use when considering all formats. General Selection Criteria 1. Christian worldview 2. Educational significance 3. Artistic quality/literary style 4. Alignment with curriculum 5. Favorable reviews/recommendations 6. Quality of factual content 7. Quality and variety of format 8. Value for the price 9. Timeliness or permanence 10. Age/ability appropriate 11. Reputation of author/publisher General Selection Guidelines 1. Reputation of the author, illustrator, publisher, and producer. 2. Overall quality and accuracy. 3. Currency and appropriateness of the content. 4. Value in relation to cost and need. 5. Value to the collection. V. Gifts and Birthday Books Birthday Books will be selected by the head librarian following both the general selection criteria and the general selection guidelines. Parents and students in grades kindergarten through fifth grade will receive a birthday book letter on either the child s birthday or ½ birthday. Together, parent and child may choose to purchase one of these pre- approved books and then donate this birthday book to the Dutton Christian School library. A Birthday Book sticker will be placed inside the book s cover to acknowledge the donation and the child s birthday. Gifts and donations may be made to the Dutton Christian School library. The same selection criteria and guidelines will be used for the acceptance of gifts as the head librarian uses for library purchases. 2

3 All gifts become the property of the school and when declared surplus can be dispensed as deemed appropriate by the head librarian. VI. Policy and Procedure on Challenged Materials Any member of the Dutton Christian School association may raise objection to materials being used at school. The following policy applies to all material located in or selected and approved by the library media center. The steps to be taken in the event of such an objection are the following: 1. Objections should be directed to the head librarian who will try to resolve the issue informally by explaining the school s selection procedure, criteria, and the qualifications of those persons selecting the material. An explanation may also be given outlining how the material fits into our curricular objectives. 2. If the complainant wants to proceed with a formal request for reconsideration of a material, a copy of the policies and procedures related to the handling of challenged materials, as well as a copy of the school s Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources form will be given. 3. The complainant must complete the Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources form before a formal complaint proceeds. 4. The administration will be informed of the challenge and the identity of the complainant. 5. When the complainant returns the completed form, the administration will inform the chair of the education committee of a request for formal reconsideration. 6. A reconsideration committee will be formed to include the administrator, two classroom teachers from the appropriate grade level or subject area, the head librarian, and three parents (at least one from the DCS education committee. Others may be involved in the re- evaluation process when deemed appropriate. 7. The administrator will be the chairperson of the Re- evaluation of Library Resources committee. 8. The administrator will arrange a meeting of the committee to be held within ten business days after the form is returned to the school by the complainant. The materials in question will be removed from use during the re- evaluation period, unless otherwise directed by the administration. 9. At the first meeting, all members of the committee will read the completed Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources form and will read, view, or listen to the material in question. Copies of reputable, professionally prepared reviews of the material when available will be distributed. 10. The committee will meet again in open session within 30 days to make its decision. The administrator will instruct the committee members to form opinions of the resource as a whole, not on specific passages or selections. The committee will reach a decision, using majority rules. The committee s final decision will be one of the following: 1. To take no removal action. 2. To remove all or part of the challenged material. 3

4 3. To allow students to use alternate titles, approved by the school personnel involved. 4. To limit the educational use of the challenged material. The main criteria for the final decision is the appropriateness of the material for its intended educational use. 11. The administrator will complete a report of the committee s decision regarding the challenged material. The written decision and its justification will be forwarded to the president of the school board and the complainant. 12. If the complainant is not satisfied with the decision of the Re- evaluation Committee they may choose to make an appeal to the education committee of the board. This appeal should be made through the administrator. The education committee will consider the matter and issue its decision within 60 days. The decision of the education committee may be appealed to the DCS school board. This appeal may be made through the head administrator. The DCS school board will consider the matter and issue its decision within 60 days. The decision of the school board is final. Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources 4

5 Before a request can be acted upon, the following form must be completed. You should read, view, or listen to the material in its entirety. Title: Author: Format: (please check) Book magazine Video Other: Publisher or producer: Copyright Date: Person Initiating the Request: (please print) Home Telephone: Work Telephone: E- mail address: Address: Date request was initiated: / / Please answer the following questions: 1. Have you received a copy of the school s policies and procedures in regard to selection of library resources and the handling of resources that are challenged by an individual? 2. Have you read, viewed, or listened to the entire resource in question? 3. What do you believe is the theme or purpose of the material? 4. Is your objection to this material based upon your child s exposure to the material, your personal exposure to it or upon reports you have heard or read? 5. What are your concerns about the resources? State page numbers as necessary. 6. Does the material have any merit or value for a specific population or age group? (OVER ) 5

6 7. Are you aware of any judgment regarding this book or material by literary or educational reviewers? 8. What action would you recommend be taken regarding the use of this material in the school? 9. In your opinion, what harmful effects upon students might result from use of this material? 10. Can you recommend other resources that could serve similar educational purposes? 11. Do you want to make an oral presentation to the Re- Evaluation of Library Resources Committee in regard to this material? Yes No Signature: Date: Please return this form to the administrator of the school who will contact you regarding your request after the Committee has made its decision about whether to retain the material or remove it from the school library media center. 6