Library Information
Criteria for Selection of Materials
General CriteriaIn developing the North Judson-San Pierre K-12 Library Media Collection, consideration should be given to the educational goals of the district, curricular needs, individual patron interests, existing materials, and networking arrangements.
Other Important ConsiderationsAccurate
Attractive and appropriate format
Authoritative
Content is of appropriate depth and scope to meet intended purpose
Current
Durable
Freedom from stereotyping
Interest and appeal
Medium validity
Organization
Presentation of different points of view
Print and Non-print General Collection Materials
In selecting print and non-print materials, the library media specialist evaluates the existing collection. To supplement and expand the collection, the library media specialist may consult reputable, unbiased, professionally prepared selection aids. Requests from the school community and the professional opinion of the library media specialists also plays an integral part in the selection of print and non-print materials.
Electronic and Internet Resources
Online databases and other electronic resources accessed via the Internet are evaluated using the selection criteria, i.e. accuracy, authoritativeness, appropriateness, and user-friendliness. Fee structures, licensing, equipment needs, and technical support also need to be considered.
Replacements--Lost, stolen, damaged, or worn items must be withdrawn from the online database. Replacement of such materials is weighed with regard to the selection criteria. Every effort is made to replace highly circulated and important titles.
Gifts, Memorials, and Monetary DonationsThe North Judson-San Pierre K-12 Library Media Centers welcome and encourage the donation of all materials to the collections. Materials will be evaluated and also weeded by the same criteria as purchased materials. Donors requesting a statement for tax purposes must state the value of the contribution. Cash donations and memorial requests are also accepted. Materials will be ordered in keeping with the donor's wishes if the request complies with selection guidelines. In order to establish the donor's wishes, the media specialist, upon receipt of monetary gift, should attempt to gain the following information: what type of material is desired, circulating or non- circulating, subject area, type of material. The donor's name should also be noted and written in or on the materials. In case of a memorial donation, the media specialist should note the person's name in whose memory the gift is made and the names and addresses of any family members to be notified of the gift. The donor will receive an acknowledgement/receipt.
Memorial requests also bear the person's name in whose memory the gift has been made.
General CriteriaIn developing the North Judson-San Pierre K-12 Library Media Collection, consideration should be given to the educational goals of the district, curricular needs, individual patron interests, existing materials, and networking arrangements.
Other Important ConsiderationsAccurate
Attractive and appropriate format
Authoritative
Content is of appropriate depth and scope to meet intended purpose
Current
Durable
Freedom from stereotyping
Interest and appeal
Medium validity
Organization
Presentation of different points of view
- Price, including licensing fees
- Quality of the writing/production
- Readability/visual, audio, or technological effectiveness
- Relevance
- Search modes for electronic media appropriate for user ability and interest level
- Suitable style
- Technical operation and design
- Technical hardware requirements, including technical support and maintenance
- User friendly, especially with electronic media
Print and Non-print General Collection Materials
In selecting print and non-print materials, the library media specialist evaluates the existing collection. To supplement and expand the collection, the library media specialist may consult reputable, unbiased, professionally prepared selection aids. Requests from the school community and the professional opinion of the library media specialists also plays an integral part in the selection of print and non-print materials.
Electronic and Internet Resources
Online databases and other electronic resources accessed via the Internet are evaluated using the selection criteria, i.e. accuracy, authoritativeness, appropriateness, and user-friendliness. Fee structures, licensing, equipment needs, and technical support also need to be considered.
Replacements--Lost, stolen, damaged, or worn items must be withdrawn from the online database. Replacement of such materials is weighed with regard to the selection criteria. Every effort is made to replace highly circulated and important titles.
Gifts, Memorials, and Monetary DonationsThe North Judson-San Pierre K-12 Library Media Centers welcome and encourage the donation of all materials to the collections. Materials will be evaluated and also weeded by the same criteria as purchased materials. Donors requesting a statement for tax purposes must state the value of the contribution. Cash donations and memorial requests are also accepted. Materials will be ordered in keeping with the donor's wishes if the request complies with selection guidelines. In order to establish the donor's wishes, the media specialist, upon receipt of monetary gift, should attempt to gain the following information: what type of material is desired, circulating or non- circulating, subject area, type of material. The donor's name should also be noted and written in or on the materials. In case of a memorial donation, the media specialist should note the person's name in whose memory the gift is made and the names and addresses of any family members to be notified of the gift. The donor will receive an acknowledgement/receipt.
Memorial requests also bear the person's name in whose memory the gift has been made.
Reconsideration Procedures
Occasionally objections to materials within the North Judson-San Pierre K-12 Media Centers may be made. The following procedures will be followed when an individual challenges the appropriateness of an item in a school library media collection.
1. When learning of a complaint, school personnel should be courteous, making no commitment.
2. All complaints to staff members or administrators shall be reported to the building library media specialist, whether received by telephone, letter, or in personal conversation.
3. The library media specialist shall then contact the Director of Library Media Services and the building principal to inform them of the complaint.
4. The Director of Library Media Services (or his or her designated representative) shall try to resolve the issue informally by explaining to the complainant the procedure, criteria, and qualifications of the person selecting the materials.
5.If the complaint cannot be resolved informally, a letter will be given or sent by the Director to the complainant. With the letter will be a packet of materials consisting of the K-12 Library Media Program Statement of Intellectual Freedom, Materials Selection Policy, and a Request for Reconsideration of Materials form. This two-sided form must be completed by the complainant and returned to the Director of Library Media Services within two weeks from the date of receipt before consideration will be given to the complaint.
6. If the formal, signed Request for Reconsideration of Materials form has not been received by the Director within two weeks of the date the material is issued, the matter shall be considered closed. If the request is returned, the reasons for selection of the specific work shall be re-examined by a review committee.
7. Upon receipt of a completed Request of Reconsideration of Materials form, the Director of Library Media Services shall contact the principal and superintendent to inform them of the complaint.
8.The Request for Reconsideration of Material will be forwarded to an ad hoc library media review committee. The committee shall consist of the Director of Library Media Services, the principal, the library media specialist, a teacher, a parent, and a community member. At the high school level, one or more students may also be asked to take part on the committee.
9. The reconsideration committee shall read in its entirety the challenged work and judge whether it conforms to the Statement of Intellectual Freedom and the Criteria for the Selection of Library Media Materials.
11. Opinions shall be formed based on the work as a whole rather than on passages or sections taken out of context. Professional reviews may be consulted if the committee deems such information pertinent and helpful. The committee will discuss the challenged work in the context of the educational program of the educational program, reach a consensus, and prepare a written report.
12. The Director shall notify the complainant in writing of the decision and send a formal report and recommendation to the superintendent. If the committee decides to keep the work that caused the complaint, the complainant shall be given an explanation. If the complaint is valid, the Director will acknowledge it and make recommended changes.
13. If the complainant is still not satisfied, he/she may ask the superintendent to present an appeal to the Board of School Trustees which shall make a final determination of the issue. The School Board may seek assistance from outside organizations such as the American Library Association of Indiana Media Educators, etc., in making its determination.
14. Challenged materials shall remain in the circulation until the process completed.
Occasionally objections to materials within the North Judson-San Pierre K-12 Media Centers may be made. The following procedures will be followed when an individual challenges the appropriateness of an item in a school library media collection.
1. When learning of a complaint, school personnel should be courteous, making no commitment.
2. All complaints to staff members or administrators shall be reported to the building library media specialist, whether received by telephone, letter, or in personal conversation.
3. The library media specialist shall then contact the Director of Library Media Services and the building principal to inform them of the complaint.
4. The Director of Library Media Services (or his or her designated representative) shall try to resolve the issue informally by explaining to the complainant the procedure, criteria, and qualifications of the person selecting the materials.
5.If the complaint cannot be resolved informally, a letter will be given or sent by the Director to the complainant. With the letter will be a packet of materials consisting of the K-12 Library Media Program Statement of Intellectual Freedom, Materials Selection Policy, and a Request for Reconsideration of Materials form. This two-sided form must be completed by the complainant and returned to the Director of Library Media Services within two weeks from the date of receipt before consideration will be given to the complaint.
6. If the formal, signed Request for Reconsideration of Materials form has not been received by the Director within two weeks of the date the material is issued, the matter shall be considered closed. If the request is returned, the reasons for selection of the specific work shall be re-examined by a review committee.
7. Upon receipt of a completed Request of Reconsideration of Materials form, the Director of Library Media Services shall contact the principal and superintendent to inform them of the complaint.
8.The Request for Reconsideration of Material will be forwarded to an ad hoc library media review committee. The committee shall consist of the Director of Library Media Services, the principal, the library media specialist, a teacher, a parent, and a community member. At the high school level, one or more students may also be asked to take part on the committee.
9. The reconsideration committee shall read in its entirety the challenged work and judge whether it conforms to the Statement of Intellectual Freedom and the Criteria for the Selection of Library Media Materials.
11. Opinions shall be formed based on the work as a whole rather than on passages or sections taken out of context. Professional reviews may be consulted if the committee deems such information pertinent and helpful. The committee will discuss the challenged work in the context of the educational program of the educational program, reach a consensus, and prepare a written report.
12. The Director shall notify the complainant in writing of the decision and send a formal report and recommendation to the superintendent. If the committee decides to keep the work that caused the complaint, the complainant shall be given an explanation. If the complaint is valid, the Director will acknowledge it and make recommended changes.
13. If the complainant is still not satisfied, he/she may ask the superintendent to present an appeal to the Board of School Trustees which shall make a final determination of the issue. The School Board may seek assistance from outside organizations such as the American Library Association of Indiana Media Educators, etc., in making its determination.
14. Challenged materials shall remain in the circulation until the process completed.