Policy 8.12

Selection of Library Media Center Instructional Materials and Supplemental Classroom Instructional Materials

1. Adequate Instructional Materials.-- Instructional materials for the Library Media Center including print, non-print, serials [periodicals], electronic resources, computer software, video images, films, and instructional television programs represent fundamental resources selected for schools to support instruction, promote reading, further the pursuit of knowledge through research and exploration, and provide information literacy experiences of educational significance for class groups, individual students, teachers and administrators. This policy does not apply to internet access. It is the shared responsibility of the State, District and school, within budgetary constraints, to provide an adequate number and range of library media materials and resources in a variety of formats that are appropriate, timely, and essential to the attainment of specified educational objectives subject to District policy. It is also the responsibility of the State and District and school to provide library media materials that represent the diverse cultures, ethnic groups, languages and religious beliefs of the community and that are free of bias, stereotypes, distortions, and prejudices.

2. Purpose.-- The Board believes that the selection, challenge, and removal of instructional materials are within its jurisdiction pursuant to relevant statutory and constitutional laws. The library media center, within budgetary constraints, shall contain a comprehensive collection of materials and equipment, in a variety of media formats that are accessible to students during the school day, to:

1. Promote the development of life-long reading habits and information literacy skills in students;

2. Provide a broad background of information resources in areas of knowledge;

3. Support the general educational goals of the District and the objectives of specific courses, including materials that represent diverse points of view in order that young citizens may develop, under guidance, the practice of critical analysis of media and intellectual integrity in forming judgments;

4. Meet the personal needs and interests of students, including materials that: nurture the development of recreational reading/listening/ viewing, cultural appreciation, and aesthetic values; represent the many religious, racial, ethnic, linguistic, and cultural groups in our society and reflect their contributions to the heritage and culture of our civilization; foster respect for the diverse roles available to women and men in today's society; and provide access to materials in heritage language as stipulated by the META agreement.

5. Support the professional needs of teachers and administrators; and

6. Introduce new instructional technologies into the learning environment.

3. Choice.-- Library media materials and supplemental classroom instructional materials are available to students and staff as optional resources and are usually not mandatory reading as is the case with textbook instructional materials.

1. Library media that is sensitive or mature may not be appropriate for all readers in a school but remains a part of the collection to address the needs of some of the reading community if it meets the selection criteria of the school. Educators and library media specialists should be sensitive to the reading level, belief system, interest level and maturity level of students when helping make selections for individuals, reading aloud to groups, or when having whole class participation in a reading project. If a parent or adult student states a reasonable objection to library or classroom reading material assigned to an entire class, provision will be made for the student to have comparable instruction through an alternate reading assignment without penalty.

2. For the purposes of this Policy and Policy 8.1205, supplemental classroom materials are defined as print and non-print materials in different formats (e. g. books, DVDs, electronic storage) that are usually optional but are used as adjuncts to enrich and augment the required reading materials in a class or subject area.

4. Use of Library Media Materials Allocation.-- School principals are responsible for insuring that operating budget and state categorical funds are used to purchase library media materials that reinforce instruction and stimulate leisure reading for the students enrolled at the grade level(s) for which the materials are designed and to effectively communicate to parents the manner in which materials are used to implement the curriculum of the school under Fla. Stat. § 1006.28(3)(a).

5. Management of Library Media Instructional Materials.-- Following practice and precedent, the school library media centers in Palm Beach County will arrange media and materials according to the Dewey Decimal Classification System. Library media materials acquired with funds from the General Appropriation Act of the State of Florida are to be cataloged and inventoried as part of the library media collection. Library media materials may be inventoried in one to three year cycles.

6. Selection Criteria

1. Instructional materials for use in school media centers or classroom library collections shall be carefully selected. A choice of materials that support the instructional program and promote reading shall be available to students and professional staff to allow for varying achievement levels, interests, and teaching/learning styles. Each school shall, in conjunction with the "Library Bill of Rights" (www. ala. org/ala/oif/statementspols/statementsif/ librarybillrights. htm) of the American Library Association ("ALA" ) and District policy, establish procedures for the evaluation, selection, management, and disposal of library media materials in conformance with this policy and Policy 8.1205 and shall record such in the school's collection development policy.

2. The "Library Bill of Rights" referenced herein is to be used as a suggested guideline. To the extent that there are inconsistencies between the guidelines in the "Library Bill of Rights" and District policy, District policy shall take precedence and shall govern the selection, retention and disposition criteria of instructional materials for library media centers and classrooms.

3. Selection of materials shall also be consistent with the provisions in the School Board's collective bargaining agreement with CTA relating to academic freedom and responsibilities--Article II, Section K--to the extent those provisions are applicable.

4. In conjunction with the selection criteria above, library media specialists, teachers and administrators at each school location shall evaluate and select print and non-print materials for the library media center and classroom using several of the criteria outlined below, as appropriate for the media type. However, in accordance with Fla. Stat. § 847.012, criteria "xvi" and "xvii" below (relating to obscenity and copyright) must be two of the criteria used in the evaluation of all materials.

1. PROFESSIONAL REVIEWS.-- Print or non-print media including video footage that have been favorably reviewed by two or more professional sources such as a School Library Journal, Horn Book, Booklist, and/or Children's Catalog.

2. EDUCATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE.-- Material is valuable to an individual course of study or to the library media collection; the degree to which the material would be supplemented and explained by mature classroom instruction.

3. APPROPRIATENESS.-- Material is geared to the age, maturity, diverse interests, and learning levels of students for whom it is intended. Reading levels and lexiles are considered to provide a range of material that challenges the student and guides their selection process.

4. ACCURACY.-- Nonfiction information is correct, recent, and objective.

5. LITERARY MERIT.-- Fiction that has a noteworthy plot, setting, characterization, style and theme.

6. SCOPE.-- Content is covered adequately to achieve its intended purpose.

7. AUTHORITY.-- The author, editor, or producer has a superior reputation for producing materials of this nature.

8. SPECIAL FEATURES.-- The item has maps, charts, graphs, glossaries, and/or other learning aids that support the content, are unique or are valuable.

9. TRANSLATION INTEGRITY.-- Material translated from one language to another maintains the stylistic characteristics of the original.

10. ARRANGEMENT.-- Concepts are presented in a logical sequence and in a way that assures learning.

11. TREATMENT.-- Typeset, visuals, style, and/or medium captures and holds the student's attention.

12. TECHNICAL QUALITY.-- Sound is clear and audible; visuals project clearly.

13. AESTHETIC QUALITY.-- Material is superior to similar items in attractiveness and presentation of content.

14. POTENTIAL DEMAND.-- Item has particular timeliness or popular appeal.

15. DURABILITY.-- Material has the potential for frequent use or is of a nature that it will be considered consumable.

16. OBSCENITY.-- No books or other material containing hard-core pornography or otherwise prohibited by Fla. Stat. § 847.012 shall be used.

17. [COPYRIGHT.--Supplemental instructional materials and library media materials used in a school shall be procured and used in accordance with federal, state and District copyright laws, rules, and policies as referenced in School Board Policy 8.121.]*