Library Selection Policy and Procedures

Overview

Building a Library Collection

EF Local directs librarians to build a diverse collection that supports the curriculum and promotes knowledge, literacy, critical analysis, and student interest.
Wylie ISD Library Book Selection Guidance includes:
- Supporting the TEKS
- Student/Faculty interest
- Appropriate Age & Reading Level for campus
- Literary Merit (using professional book reviews)
- Accuracy and Clarity (using professional book reviews)

Book Challenges (EF Local)

Campus must attempt informal resolution first:
- Parent Meeting
- Offering Alternative Resource
- Changing grade level of book
- Blocking student from checking out that book/genre
Formal challenge will lead to reconsideration committee (librarian required on committee, staff/parents/students may also serve).
Parent can only control reading of own child.
Book remains in collection during challenge.
Educational suitability is major criterion, not ideas expressed in book.

Wylie ISD Proactive Measures

Parental option in Skyward to block students from accessing library collection.
Parental option to block students from individual books.
Librarians consistently “weed” collection to remove books that do not meet collection standards, are out of date, or have low circulation.
Librarians internally review individual books and discuss appropriateness for collection/grade level.
Librarian monthly newsletter highlighting books new to the collection.
Internal list of books removed from collection to ensure they are not ordered in the future (No Shelf List).

HB 900

Vendors (not publishers) required to rate materials as:
- Sexually relevant (parent permission required)
- Sexually explicit (not allowed)
List of books will be posted by TEA.
ISD will post list of sexually relevant books in library collection.
SBOE passed standards for library collections on the Dec. 13 meeting (aligns with current Wylie ISD policies and procedures).
Lawsuit filed by vendors against state currently being heard in Fifth Circuit of Appeals.

Policies and Standards

Library Selection Procedures

School Library Standards

Privacy Policies

Book Selection Guidance

Policies and Standards

Library Materials Selection Procedures

School Library Selection Procedures Guidelines

The school libraries of this district are guided by the principles set forth in the Library Bill of Rights.

School Library Selection Procedures Objectives

To provide faculty and students with materials that enrich and support the curriculum and meet the needs of the students and faculty served
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, allowing for the presentation of many different points of view
To select materials that present various sides of controversial issues, giving students an opportunity to develop analytical skills resulting in informed decisions
To select materials in all formats, including up-to-date, high quality, varied literature to develop and strengthen a love of reading

School Library Responsibility for Selection

The elected Board of Education shall delegate to the superintendent of schools or district administrator the authority and responsibility for selection of library materials in all formats. Responsibility for actual selection rests with professionally trained library personnel using the board’s adopted selection criteria, policy, and procedures.

Wylie ISD Library Media Services Selection Criteria

All items, whether purchased or donated must meet Wylie ISD selection procedures and board policy.
All items should have at least 2 favorable reviews from reliable sources and the review must include at least one grade level served by the library. Not all items have professional reviews available, in these instances, items may be added to the collection at Certified Librarian’s or Elementary/District Library Coordinator’s professional discretion.
No more than five (5) copies of a single item may purchased with Library funds and circulated through the library.
Authority of the author, organization, publisher/producer should be a consideration in the selection process.
All items should enrich and support the curriculum taking into consideration students’ age, diverse interests, abilities, learning styles, social/emotional development, and maturity levels. (EF LOCAL)
All items should stimulate growth in factual knowledge, enjoyment of reading, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and societal Standards. (EF LOCAL)
Meet high standards for artistic quality, literary style, authenticity, educational significance, factual content, physical format, presentation, readability, technical quality, and present information with the greatest degree of accuracy and clarity. (EF LOCAL)
Items should present various sides of controversial issues; represent many ethnic, religious, and cultural groups; and help students gain an awareness of our pluralistic society providing them with free and equitable access to all information. (EF LOCAL)
Instructional resources are designed to provide information that will motivate students and staff to examine their own attitudes and behavior; to understand their duties, responsibilities, rights, and privileges as citizens participating in our society; and to make informed choices in their daily lives. (EF LOCAL)
Materials support and are consistent with the general educational goals of the state and district, and the aims and objectives of individual schools as well as the district and campus improvement plans. (EF LOCAL)
Materials should be free of stereotypes, bias, and offensive characteristics. Library materials concerning religious, social, and political content should inform rather than indoctrinate.
Materials selected should include works from authors and illustrators of all cultures and are designed to help students gain an awareness of our pluralistic society. (EF LOCAL)
All donated items catalogued in the library become property of the library.
Selection of resources is an ongoing process that includes the removal of resources no longer appropriate and the periodic replacement or repair of resources that still have educational value. All items will be subject to deselection based on age, condition, accuracy, content, format, available space, and/or use.
Library materials should be available in a variety of formats to meet the needs of learning styles of the diverse student population.

School Library Acquisitions Procedures

In selecting learning resources, professional personnel will evaluate available resources and curriculum needs and will consult reputable, professionally prepared aids to selection, and other appropriate sources. The actual resource will be examined whenever possible.
Recommendations for purchase involve administrators, teachers, students, district personnel, and community members, as appropriate.
Gift materials shall be judged by the selection criteria and shall be accepted or rejected by those criteria.
Selection is an ongoing process that should include removing materials that are no longer used or needed, adding materials, and replacing lost and worn materials that still have educational value.

School Library Standards

Certified Librarians will use district curriculum documents for academic planning, the School Library Programs: Standards and Guidelines for Texas, and AASL Standards/Future Ready Libraries Framework Crosswalks for planning and building library programs.

Resources

Privacy Policies

In support of a student's Intellectual Freedom, personal information is safeguarded by certified librarians, library paraprofessionals, and all library volunteers.

Certified librarians, para-librarians and library aides all adhere to the privacy policies as defined in the Wylie ISD FERPA policy and Texas Association of School Boards Policies.

Information about patrons collected by schools and government agencies can be released only for specific and legally defined purposes. A user's checkout history is not information that is kept in our library system.

Student library records (including but not limited to personal information, items checked out presently, or overdue and lost book notices, any other identifying information) should only be shared with the appropriate persons as identified below from TASB, page 5-6 and 16.