Materials Selection Policy
For the Hingham Public School
Library Media Centers
I. Objective
The primary objective of the library media program is to enrich and support the instructional program. This is done by providing a collection that is varied in type and format, culturally diverse, meets interest and reading levels of students and supports the curriculum and the state frameworks.
II. Authority and Responsibility
The responsibility for the selection of library instructional and technology materials is delegated to the individual school Library Media Specialist. The Library Media Coordinator is responsible for developing and establishing criteria for evaluation and selection of library materials. The School Library Media Specialist will, whenever possible, consider input from the faculty, support staff, and students and published reviews.
III. Selection Criteria
A) General Criteria:
When selecting print, audiovisual, or electronic materials the following criteria will be used by the Library Media Specialist to make decisions.
Library Media Collection should be:
· Relevant to the curriculum
· Appropriate for the school population
· Accurate in terms of content
· Broad in scope
· Fostering of multicultural and pluralistic awareness
· Appropriate format for the subject matter
· Of currency or timeliness
· Acceptable in literary style and technical quality
· Representative of different points of view
· Cost effective in terms of use
· Of different formats (non-print/digital)
B) Gifts & Donations
Gift materials added to the collection of the Library Media Centers must meet the same criteria as the materials selected for purchase.
C) Memorials
The selection of materials for memorial gifts should be made using suggestions from the Library Media Specialist. A designation of the memorial may be made inside the cover of the book.
E) Replacements
Materials that have proven their worth will be replaced if lost, damaged, or worn. The replacement of material will depend on the number of books on that subject in the LMC, the number of duplicates, and the availability of newer material on the same subject.
F) Professional Materials
These materials need to reflect the latest research, trends and practices in education. Materials will be located both at the school administration office and individual schools.
G) Periodicals
Periodicals and periodical databases support the curriculum of the school and reflect the interests of students and staff. They are essential because they provide current information and are used for recreational reading and reference purposes. Selections are made according to general criteria (A.)
4. Selection Tools
Specific tools will vary by school and grade level but resources will include recommendations from the American Library Association, math, science, reading and other professional associations and journals. The Library Media Specialist should use a variety of reviewing sources and selection tools when making his or her selections, as well as information gathered at conferences, workshops and classes.
5. Weeding
Weeding is the process of clearing the collection in the Library Media Center of those materials which have outlived their usefulness. Withdrawing materials is a continuous process but weeding the collection is a carefully planned procedure. The same thought and care given to selection of materials needs to be exercised in weeding the collection so that the collection remains useful to the unique clientele it is meant to serve
Library Media materials should be considered for withdrawal if they are:
1. In poor physical condition, yellowed or aging
2. Seldom circulated in the past five years
3. Outdated, biased, or inaccurate
4. Materials not appropriate for school population
5. Nonfiction titles that have been superseded by new or revised addition
The procedure for discarding library materials includes deleting the record from the database of holdings and labeling it “Withdrawn” or “Discard.” Discarded materials in useable condition are then offered to teachers for classroom use or donated to charity.
VI. Procedures for Reconsideration of Library Materials
Occasional objections to some materials may be voiced by the public despite the care taken in the selection process and the qualifications of the people selecting the materials.
If a complaint is made, the following procedures should be observed:
1. The Library Media Specialist will inform the complainant of the selection procedures and criteria used in selecting library materials and the educational value and usefulness of this material within the curriculum. The Library Media Specialist will also supply the complainant with copies of the “Library Bill of Rights” and the “Statement of Intellectual Freedom.”
2. If the complainant is not satisfied by the above information, he or she will be invited to file the objections in writing by filling out a copy of the form “Request for Reconsideration of School Library Media Materials”, within 10 days.
3. The school principal will be notified and will receive the formal request for reconsideration.
4. Upon receipt of the completed “Request for the Reconsideration of School Library Media Materials”, a special review committee will be convened within 2 weeks. That committee will consist of:
• The school principal
• The library media specialist
• Two teachers
• School Council member
5. The Special Review Committee will:
• Reexamine the challenged material in light of the complainant’s objections
• Survey appraisals of the material in professional reviewing sources
• Determine the extent to which the material supports the curriculum/program
• Weigh merits against alleged faults to form opinions based on context
• Discuss the material and prepare a written recommendation to the superintendent
6. The Superintendent will make his or her decision and send a written statement to the complainant and the Special Review Committee.
7. The Superintendent’s decision may be appealed in writing to the School Committee.
For the Hingham Public School
Library Media Centers
I. Objective
The primary objective of the library media program is to enrich and support the instructional program. This is done by providing a collection that is varied in type and format, culturally diverse, meets interest and reading levels of students and supports the curriculum and the state frameworks.
II. Authority and Responsibility
The responsibility for the selection of library instructional and technology materials is delegated to the individual school Library Media Specialist. The Library Media Coordinator is responsible for developing and establishing criteria for evaluation and selection of library materials. The School Library Media Specialist will, whenever possible, consider input from the faculty, support staff, and students and published reviews.
III. Selection Criteria
A) General Criteria:
When selecting print, audiovisual, or electronic materials the following criteria will be used by the Library Media Specialist to make decisions.
Library Media Collection should be:
· Relevant to the curriculum
· Appropriate for the school population
· Accurate in terms of content
· Broad in scope
· Fostering of multicultural and pluralistic awareness
· Appropriate format for the subject matter
· Of currency or timeliness
· Acceptable in literary style and technical quality
· Representative of different points of view
· Cost effective in terms of use
· Of different formats (non-print/digital)
B) Gifts & Donations
Gift materials added to the collection of the Library Media Centers must meet the same criteria as the materials selected for purchase.
C) Memorials
The selection of materials for memorial gifts should be made using suggestions from the Library Media Specialist. A designation of the memorial may be made inside the cover of the book.
E) Replacements
Materials that have proven their worth will be replaced if lost, damaged, or worn. The replacement of material will depend on the number of books on that subject in the LMC, the number of duplicates, and the availability of newer material on the same subject.
F) Professional Materials
These materials need to reflect the latest research, trends and practices in education. Materials will be located both at the school administration office and individual schools.
G) Periodicals
Periodicals and periodical databases support the curriculum of the school and reflect the interests of students and staff. They are essential because they provide current information and are used for recreational reading and reference purposes. Selections are made according to general criteria (A.)
4. Selection Tools
Specific tools will vary by school and grade level but resources will include recommendations from the American Library Association, math, science, reading and other professional associations and journals. The Library Media Specialist should use a variety of reviewing sources and selection tools when making his or her selections, as well as information gathered at conferences, workshops and classes.
5. Weeding
Weeding is the process of clearing the collection in the Library Media Center of those materials which have outlived their usefulness. Withdrawing materials is a continuous process but weeding the collection is a carefully planned procedure. The same thought and care given to selection of materials needs to be exercised in weeding the collection so that the collection remains useful to the unique clientele it is meant to serve
Library Media materials should be considered for withdrawal if they are:
1. In poor physical condition, yellowed or aging
2. Seldom circulated in the past five years
3. Outdated, biased, or inaccurate
4. Materials not appropriate for school population
5. Nonfiction titles that have been superseded by new or revised addition
The procedure for discarding library materials includes deleting the record from the database of holdings and labeling it “Withdrawn” or “Discard.” Discarded materials in useable condition are then offered to teachers for classroom use or donated to charity.
VI. Procedures for Reconsideration of Library Materials
Occasional objections to some materials may be voiced by the public despite the care taken in the selection process and the qualifications of the people selecting the materials.
If a complaint is made, the following procedures should be observed:
1. The Library Media Specialist will inform the complainant of the selection procedures and criteria used in selecting library materials and the educational value and usefulness of this material within the curriculum. The Library Media Specialist will also supply the complainant with copies of the “Library Bill of Rights” and the “Statement of Intellectual Freedom.”
2. If the complainant is not satisfied by the above information, he or she will be invited to file the objections in writing by filling out a copy of the form “Request for Reconsideration of School Library Media Materials”, within 10 days.
3. The school principal will be notified and will receive the formal request for reconsideration.
4. Upon receipt of the completed “Request for the Reconsideration of School Library Media Materials”, a special review committee will be convened within 2 weeks. That committee will consist of:
• The school principal
• The library media specialist
• Two teachers
• School Council member
5. The Special Review Committee will:
• Reexamine the challenged material in light of the complainant’s objections
• Survey appraisals of the material in professional reviewing sources
• Determine the extent to which the material supports the curriculum/program
• Weigh merits against alleged faults to form opinions based on context
• Discuss the material and prepare a written recommendation to the superintendent
6. The Superintendent will make his or her decision and send a written statement to the complainant and the Special Review Committee.
7. The Superintendent’s decision may be appealed in writing to the School Committee.
