Pepin Area Schools
Media Center

Library Media Policy and Mission Statement:

Pepin Area Schools

The mission of the Pepin Area Schools Library Media Center
is to teach students to be effective users of information and to
encourage and prepare students to be life-long learners. This
mission is accomplished by:


· Providing instruction in information/technology literacy.

· Providing intellectual and physical access to informational
materials in a variety of formats.

· Stimulating interest in reading and in finding and using
information and ideas.

· Promoting the use of the media center by students and
faculty.

· Working with teachers to develop educational strategies to
meet the information needs of students and to augment
teaching.

· Supporting the school's curriculum and reading initiatives.


Library Policies:

Objectives of Selection

In order to assure that the LMC program is an integral part of the educational program of the school, the following selection objectives are adopted:

  • To provide materials that will enrich and support the curriculum and personal needs of the users, taking into consideration their varied interests, abilities, and learning styles.
  • To provide materials that will stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and ethical standards.
  • To provide a background of information which will enable pupils to make intelligent judgments in their daily lives.
  • To provide materials on opposing sides of controversial issues so that users may develop the practice of critical analysis.
  • To provide materials that realistically represent our pluralistic society and reflect the contributions made by various ethnic, racial, and religious groups and individuals to our American heritage.
  • To place principle above personal opinion and reason above prejudice in the selection of materials of the highest quality in order to assure a comprehensive media collection appropriate for the users.

 

Responsibility for Selection

Although the Pepin Board of Education is legally responsible for the operation of the school, the responsibility for the selection of LMC materials is delegated to the certified LMC personnel.

Responsibility for coordinating the selection and purchase of textbooks and other classroom materials may rest with appropriate department chairpersons or with textbook or media evaluation committees.

Selection procedures shall involve representatives of the professional staff directly affected by the selections, and persons qualified by preparation to aid in wise selection.

Criteria for Selection

Staff members involved in selection of resource materials shall use the following criteria as a guide:

 

· educational significance

· contribution the subject matter makes to the curriculum and to the interests of the students

· favorable reviews found in standard selection sources

· favorable recommendations based on preview and examination of materials by professional personnel

· reputation and significance of the author, producer, and publisher

· validity, currency, and appropriateness of material

· contribution the material makes to breadth of representative viewpoints on controversial issues

· high degree of potential user appeal

· high artistic quality and/or literary style

· quality and variety of format

· value commensurate with cost and/or need

· timeliness or permanence

· integrity

The following recommended lists shall be consulted in the selection of materials, but selection is not limited to their listings:

  • Basic Book Collection for Elementary Grades
  • The Best in Children's Books
  • Children's Catalog
  • Elementary School Library Collection
  • Guide to Sources in Educational Media
  • Junior High School Catalog
  • Reference Books for School Libraries
  • Subject Guide to Children's Books in Print
  • Subject Index to Books for Intermediate & Primary Grades

The following sources will be used for find reviews of materials.

  • AASA Science Books and Films
  • American Film & Video Association Evaluations
  • Booklist
  • American Library Association
  • Horn Book
  • Kirkus Reviews
  • School Library Journal

The following kinds of material should be selected for the media center:

  • Materials integral to the instructional program.
  • Materials appropriate for the reading level and understanding of students in the school.
  • Materials reflecting the interests and needs of the students and faculty served by the media center.
  • Materials warranting inclusion in the collection because of their literary and/or artistic value and merit.
  • Materials presenting information with the greatest degree of accuracy and clarity possible.
  • Materials representing a fair and unbiased presentation of information. In controversial areas, the media specialist, in cooperation with the faculty, should select materials representing as many shades of opinion as possible, in order that varying viewpoints are available to students.

Gift materials will be judged by the criteria listed in the preceding section and will be accepted or rejected on the basis of those criteria. LMC personnel have the authority to make whatever disposition of these gifts they deem necessary.

It should be understood that selection is an ongoing process which should include the removal of materials no longer appropriate and the replacement of lost and worn materials still of educational value. In the judgment of the school library media specialist, withdrawn materials may be disposed of by any other means deemed appropriate by the school library media specialist including but not limited to sale or donation to teachers, students and/or other charitable sources.

Selection of Controversial Materials

The Board recognizes the need and right of students to free access to many different types of print and non-print materials. It also recognizes the right of the professional staff to select print and non-print materials supportive of the school District's educational philosophy and goals. The selection of instructional materials on controversial issues will be directed toward maintaining a diverse collection representing various views. Instructional materials shall be selected for their strengths rather than rejected for their weaknesses. The Board subscribes in principle to the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and to the statements of policy on library philosophy as expressed in the American Library Association's Library Bill of Rights , a copy of which is appended to and made part of this policy .

Procedures for Reconsideration of Materials

Occasional objections to instructional materials will be made despite the quality of the selection process; therefore, the procedure for handling reconsideration of challenged materials in response to questions concerning their appropriateness should be stated. This procedure should establish the framework for registering a complaint that provides for a hearing with appropriate action while defending the principles of freedom of information, the students' right to access of materials, and the professional responsibility and integrity of the school faculty. The principles of intellectual freedom are inherent in the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States and are expressed in the Library Bill of Rights , adopted by the Council of the American Library Association. If instructional materials are questioned, the principles of intellectual freedom should be defended rather than the materials.

If a complaint is made, the following procedures should be followed:

  1. All complaints to staff members shall be reported to the building principal involved, whether received by telephone, letter, or in personal conversation.
  2. The principal shall contact the complainant to discuss the complaint and attempt to resolve it informally by explaining the philosophy and goals of the school district and/or the library media center. If not resolved, the complainant will receive the materials selection policy statement, and the procedure for handling objections. Included will be a standard printed form, which shall be completed and to the appropriate principal. (attached)
  3. All challenged materials will stay on the shelves during the reconsideration process. Pending the outcome of the request for reconsideration, however, access to questioned materials can be denied to the child (or children) of the parents making the complaint, if they so desire.
  4. Upon receipt of the completed complaint form, the principal will notify the district administrator of the complaint, and appoint a review committee, consisting of the following: the principal, the Library Media Specialist, a teacher, and a community representative.
  5. The review committee will take the following steps after receiving the challenged materials:
    • Read, view or listen to the material in its entirety.
    • Check general acceptance of the material by reading reviews and consulting recommended lists.
    • Determine the extent to which the material supports the curriculum.
    • Present written recommendation form to the Principal within fifteen (15) working days after receiving the challenged material.

6. The Principal shall notify complainant of the recommendation and send a formal report along with the recommendation to the Superintendent. In answering the complainant, the principal shall explain the book selection system, give the guidelines used for selection, and cite authorities used in reaching decisions. 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 principal will acknowledge it and make recommended changes.

  1. If the complainant is still not satisfied, he or she may ask the Superintendent to present an appeal to the Board of Education, which shall make a final determination of the issue. The Board of Education may seek assistance from outside organizations such as the American Library Association, the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development, etc., in making its determination.

Sources: American Library Association

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