selection process
- The goal in our selection process is to provide students with a wide range of educational materials on all levels of difficulty and in a variety of formats, with diversity of appeal, and including the presentation of many different points of view. These materials selected will be in the form of print and digital media.
- We also aim to choose materials with a wide variety of appeal and reading levels for students for the purpose of reading for enjoyment.
- The LRC also aims to choose materials that will support the curriculum and meet the needs of the faculty served.
- The library staff has the main responsibility of choosing the materials and measuring the appropriateness of the materials.
Staff considerations when choosing the materials:
- educational significance and relevance to the curriculum
- student interests
- reviews found in trusted sources such as the School Library Journal and Titlewave
- personal review and recommendation by the faculty and/or library staff
- reputation and significance of the author or sponsoring organization
- validity and reliability of the material included
- age appropriateness of the material
- representing different or opposing viewpoints on controversial issues
- potential user appeal
- quality and variety of format
- cost per use or need for the material
- timeliness or permanence of the subject matter
weeding policies
In order to keep our collection relevant and useful, it is necessary to weed on a regular basis. Shelf space is limited, and it needs to be reserved for materials that are relevant and in demand by the school population. It is important to keep the library space and materials up-to-date and attractive to the users.
Guidelines based on the CREW method:
Poor Content: obsolete, poorly written, inaccurate or outdated, unused, repetitious, or inappropriate
Condition and Appearance: worn out, stained, yellowed or torn pages pages, dated or unappealing to the student population
Unused Materials: items that have not circulated in three years or more, duplicate copies that are no longer needed, "hot topics" that are no longer relevant, books than are needed on any topic
General Checklist:
Guidelines based on the CREW method:
Poor Content: obsolete, poorly written, inaccurate or outdated, unused, repetitious, or inappropriate
Condition and Appearance: worn out, stained, yellowed or torn pages pages, dated or unappealing to the student population
Unused Materials: items that have not circulated in three years or more, duplicate copies that are no longer needed, "hot topics" that are no longer relevant, books than are needed on any topic
General Checklist:
- Date—when was the item published? When was it added to the collection?
- Author—is the author still read or likely to be read in the future?
- Physical condition—are there any factors that make the item unattractive?
- Additional copies—are more copies available that may be in better condition?
- Other books on the same subject in the collection—if this book is discarded, what else is available?
- Expense of replacement—can the item be replaced? Was this an expensive item that might benefit from rebinding or refurbishing rather than replacement?
- Shelf-time—how long has the item sat on the shelf without circulating?
- Reading level—is the level too high or too easy for the student population?
- Current interest in the subject matter—are students interested in the subject?
- Use in school curricula—are books available for the grade level where the subject is studied? Are teachers using those specific titles?
challenge process
Despite our best efforts, it is impossible for the library staff to read all of the materials in the collection in their entirety. There are a number of online and print sources that we trust to review and recommend the materials for us. We choose all purchases with the understanding that it will be appropriate for our student population.
If a member of the community feels that one of our titles is questionable or inappropriate, we will review the title to decide if it should stay or be removed from the collection. To do this we will go through the following steps, based on the American Library Association's recommended process:
If a member of the community feels that one of our titles is questionable or inappropriate, we will review the title to decide if it should stay or be removed from the collection. To do this we will go through the following steps, based on the American Library Association's recommended process:
- Read, view or listen to the challenged material in its entirety
- Review the selection process and the criteria for selection
- Check reviews and recommended lists to determine recommendations by the experts and critics
- Meet to discuss the challenge
- Make a recommendation to the administrator on removal, retention, or replacement
American Library association bill of rights
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following basic policies should guide their services.
I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
VI. Libraries that make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
V. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
VI. Libraries that make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.