Procedure No.

2021P

Adoption Date:

July 11, 1984

Revised:

October 1, 1997

 

INSTRUCTION INSTRUCTIONAL RESOURCES

 

Textbooks will be selected in the manner described in policy and procedure 2020 and 2020P. Materials to be included in a library/media center shall be selected as outlined.

Suggestions for Acquisition. Suggestions may originate from students and teachers. Those suggestions are considered by the library/media staff member who weighs requests, evaluates materials and selects those which fulfill, enrich and support the needs of the instructional program and foster reading as a lifelong activity through pleasurable exposure to printed materials.

Criteria for Selection. Selection of materials is a continuous process. New materials become available daily. The factors to be employed in selection are:

A.

Needs of the school, curriculum and/or individual student. (The program should provide for a wide range of materials on appropriate levels of difficulty with a diversity of appeal and presentation of a variety of viewpoints);

B.

Artistic and literary quality;

C.

Reliability and breadth of information with particular concern for the contributions (current and historical) of both sexes and members of the several specific religious, ethnic, political and cultural groups;

D.

Accents on sex, profanity, obscenity subjected to a stern test of literary merit and reality; and

E.

Professional reviews. (The library/media staff member employs professional reviewing materials, the judgments of other professions--teachers and librarians--to aid in the selection process. Professional reviewing materials include:

1.

Current reviews - Library Journal and School Library Journal, Booklist, Hornbook, Journal, Choice and other professional and commercial periodicals which review materials objectively.

2.

Published lists of appropriate materials - H.W. Wilson's Children's Catalog, ALA Basic Book Collection series, Bowker's Best Books for Children, AAAS Science Book List for Young Adults; materials suggested by the National Councils of Teachers of English and Social Studies; plus Washington Superintendent of Public Instruction Books for School Libraries; and other professional ; and other professional publications which evaluate material.)

Complaints or Concerns about Materials. Complaints and/or concerns about the use and/or availability of specific materials should follow the Procedure 2020P. The complainant wishing to protest the use and/or availability of specific materials shall use the form requesting reconsideration of instructional materials.(See Form 2020F.)