S.L. Mason Elementary School Selection Policy (Revised 2007)By: Laurie Roberts

Philosophy/ GoalsThe mission of the Valdosta City School Media Centers is to provide materials and services to students and staff that support and enhance the implementation of curriculum.

1) To stimulate and guide students in all phases of their reading that they may become lifelong readers and learners.

2) To provide resources which enable students to understand and appreciate the value of cultural diversity.

3) To provide resources that develop skills needed to become a responsible, productive and technologically literate member of society.

4) To promote instructional partnerships with teachers in the learning process.5) To build a cooperative partnership between school, parents, and community.

* I think the philosophy/ goals are ok. I think that they state everything that they need to according to Bishop Ch.6. No additions or corrections need to be made.

Selection Objective Instructional media materials (print and non-print) and equipments will be selected, acquired, and used to implement the philosophy and educational goals of the school system and to support the learning activities designed for students.

Since it states that the materials will be used to implement the philosophy and educational goals of the school system, I think that this objective is ok. The goals really are specific. No additions need to be made to this policy.

Responsibility for SelectionSelection of media materials and equipment will be done by a process that cooperatively involves teachers, administrators, media specialists, community representatives, parents and students. * There is nothing in the policy that states who will have the final say so. This needs to be added, so that there is no confusion. I know that from talking to the media specialist, that she has the final say so of the committee decisions and then it goes to the Purchasing Department.

School library media specialists are responsible for the review, evaluation, and selection

of the school library media collection. They are guided by the system-level selection policy that embodies the philosophy and procedures set forth in national, state, and county documents. Library media specialists work cooperatively with administrators and teachers to provide resources which represent diverse points of view, stimulate growth in thinking skills, and promote the overall educational program. Library media collections are developed to meet both curricular and personal needs. To ensure that these needs are met, library media specialists apply selection criteria and use recommended selection tools. All purchases, including gifts, should meet the same selection standards.

School Media CommitteeEach principal shall annually appoint the School Media Committee in consultation with the Media Specialist. The membership may include the principal, the media specialist(s), teachers from each department or grade level, students, parents, and a CPIE representative. District variations may be evident in the role of each school media committee due to the differences in school programs or populations. However, each committee will, at a minimum: develop systematic plans for media services; recommend purchasing priorities for quality media and equipment to promote maximum utilization of materials, equipment and media facilities to support learning; and respond, through established procedures, to formal complaint(s) regarding instructional media at the school level.

Criteria for SelectionOur policy has an extensive list of criteria that they follow when purchasing materials. The following is the list without the annotations under each criteria:AuthorityScopeFormat and Technical QualityAuthenticityPrice Appropriateness and Suitability VarietyThey also include professional materials and gifts. It states that gifts shall be subject to the same criteria as those for purchased media.

* I think that the current criteria is sufficient enough and no additions need to be made. It is pretty close to bishop’s criteria list.

Procedures for selection

Teacher Recommendations Communication with teachers to assess curriculum needs and recommendations for purchase is an important part of the selection process. Since the library media collection is an integral part of the instructional and learning process, the strength and value of the collection are ensured when teachers are actively involved in the selection process. A sample form is included at the end of this document.

Student and Parent RecommendationsSuggestions from students and parents is also an important part of the selection process. As students seek information for curricular purposes or use the library media center for personal interests, students and parents are encouraged to make recommendations of specific resources or subject areas where information is needed. A sample form is included at the end of this document.

Professional Review Journals

The following online sources are recommended as tools to locate reviews. Most are considered professional review journals, e.g. Booklist, Booklinks, Multicultural Book Reviews, and School Library Journal; however, some are considered general popular review sources. Keep this in mind when using these sources. Many of the sources listed below are available for purchase on the Periodicals Catalog. Review Resources

The ALAN Review Amazon.com General; Children; Teens Barnes and Noble Book Links The Book Reporter BookReview.com Booklist Online The BookPage BookWire Boston Book Review Bulletin of the Center for

Children's Books Caldecott Medal Home Page Carol Hurst's Children's Literature Children's Book Reviews (National Parenting Center) Children's Books Childrens Literature Web Guide Coretta Scott King Award Home Education Review Educational Software Review Follett TITLEWAVE Multicultural Book Reviews Newbery Medal Home Page Neverending Stories Notes from the Windowsill Teen Reading (YALSA) World of Reading (reviews by children) Young Adult Books

* I think that this section from is a good section to add to our current policy. It states nothing about this.

Reconsideration of Media Center Material

Careful evaluation and selection of media by qualified school personnel does not insure acceptance by all segments of the school community. Therefore, occasional complaints may be made concerning appropriateness. The Valdosta City Schools recognize individual students’ rights, and that the system also respects the right to questions selection procedures. There are eight steps and things that need to be done before a complaint is considered.

* The current policy is adequate and has an extensive list about how to go about reconsidering materials. It states everything in there about what to do and how to do it. I think that this part of the policy is very specific and should be left alone.

Weeding Policy

The weeding policy states that it is a continuous process which insures that only materials which are usable, reliable, in good condition, and up-to-date (depending on subject area) are shelved. Care is taken to see that materials are appropriate to and supportive of the existing and change school program. There are three obvious categories of materials that should be discarded; materials which are worn and damaged, superseded editions, and unnecessary duplications. Other materials should be candidates for discarding are ones which are outdated or inaccurate in content, are inappropriate in reading level or interest of students, are no longer in demand, or are no longer supporting the curriculum. Materials that have not circulated in three to five years will also be considered.

* This weeding policy includes everything that is needs. I do not think that any additions need to be made. It covers all areas for weeding a book.