No. 109.1

SECTION: PROGRAMS BALD EAGLE TITLE: LIBRARY COLLECTION AREA DEVELOPMENT AND WEEDING SCHOOL DISTRICT ADOPTED: March 3, 2011

REVISED:

109.1 LIBRARY COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT AND WEEDING

Introduction

It is the mission of all Bald Eagle Area Libraries to provide students, staff, and faculty with equal access to Library services and materials. One of the primary goals of BEASD Libraries is to provide materials and services that support the curriculum, instructional needs, and interests of the students, staff, and faculty. Library materials will be selected by the School Library Media staff utilizing the procedures outlined within this policy.

BEASD Library Mission Statement

The mission of the Bald Eagle Area Library Media program is to:  Provide, maintain, and protect print and non-print resources appropriate to support the curriculum and reading needs of the students, staff, and faculty of the Bald Eagle Area School District.  Ensure an environment conducive to learning and research.  Provide students, staff, and faculty with equal access to Library services and materials.  Prepare Bald Eagle Area students to be efficient and lifelong learners, seekers, and users of information.

Purpose of the Library Collection Development Procedure

The Library Collection Development Policy is based on the belief that students must have access to a wide range of ideas and information in order to be able to critically evaluate information and make informed decisions. Students must also be able to utilize that information effectively, efficiently, and ethically. BEASD Libraries will provide students, staff, and faculty with equal access to quality materials and instruction on various formats to promote lifelong learning, independent reading, and information literacy.

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Objectives of Selection

BEASD Libraries will provide patrons with print and non-print materials that assist in the implementation, support, and enhancement of the school’s curriculum. Materials will also be selected that address the AASL’s Standards for the Twenty- First Century Learner. All materials will represent a wide range of formats that include a variety of cultural, religious, political, ethnic backgrounds.

Responsibility of Selection

It will be the responsibility of the Librarian to select materials for the Library that adhere to the guidelines presented in both the District-wide Selection Policy and the Library Collection Development and Weeding Policy. Library staff, students, faculty, and administrators are encouraged to provide the Librarian with suggestions for the selection of materials.

Criteria for Selection of Library Resources

The selection of Library materials, including electronic, print, and non-print resources, will be based on the following criteria.  Materials should support the school’s curriculum and take into consideration the varied needs, interests, abilities, learning styles and maturity levels of the students and staff served.  Materials should stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, ethics, and social standards.  Materials should be selected to provide various sides of controversial issues so that students can develop critical analysis skills and make informed decisions.  Materials should represent various ethnic, cultural, political, and religious viewpoints.  Materials shall be selected that enrich and support the personal and recreational needs of our students and faculty.  Materials should support the state standards in all content areas.  Materials selected should align with the AASL Standards for the Twenty- First Century Learner.  Materials should cover a wide array of formats (books, magazines, newspapers, electronic databases, audio books, e-books, etc.).

Procedures for Selection

Materials will be purchased based on the criteria above. Reputable resources will be used to select materials for the Library (ex. Perma-Bound, Follett Titlewave). The Librarian may obtain recommendations for acquisitions from teachers, administrators, students, staff, and faculty. Duplicate and replacement copies of extensively used items will be purchased as needed.

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Book Review Publications that will be consulted when selecting materials for the library may include, but are not limited to, the following: School Library Journal New York Times Book Review Booklist Library Media Connection Teacher Librarian Perma-Bound ALA Booklist Horn Book

Criteria for Gifts and Donations

Donated items should be new or gently used, and must meet the guidelines of the Selection Policy in order to be accepted into the Library Collection.

Weeding Policy

Weeding is the process of withdrawing and discarding materials that are no longer useful. The Librarian will weed materials based on the following criteria.  Poor physical condition (worn, torn, poor binding, missing pages, etc.)  Outdated, inaccurate, or inappropriate content  Newer edition or format available  Obsolete format (ex. filmstrips, cassettes, records, laser disc, etc.)  Content does not align at all with curriculum or standards  Item seldom circulates or has not been used in several years  Unused duplicate copies

Process for Weeding Library Materials

The following steps will be taken when weeding Library Materials: 1. Materials will be selected for weeding based on the criteria mentioned above. 2. Selected materials will be removed from the Library’s circulation system. 3. Selected materials will be removed from the AccessPA Database. 4. Selected materials will be marked with a discard stamp prior to their removal from the Library. 5. A Request for Permission to Dispose of School Properties Form will be completed and delivered to the office. 6. Upon receiving the approved Request for Permission to Dispose of School Properties Form, weeded materials will be discarded. 7. Weeded materials may be recycled, given to art classes for altered book projects, provided to the Special Education department for ‘creating my own book’ projects, given to other groups for appropriate projects, or discarded.

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Challenge Policy

See the Bald Eagle Area School District Policy Manual: Programs No. 109 > Resource Materials > Challenged Materials

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