Collection Development Policy

I. Purpose
The purpose of this collection development policy is to ensure library materials and access to information meet the information and learning needs of a Middle School. This policy will assist in budgeting decisions and responsible use of funds, define the purposes for the collections; and establish limits and priorities on collection parameters. A policy cannot replace the judgment of individual library professionals but only provides guidelines to assist them in choosing from the vast array of available materials. Professional judgment and expertise, based on understanding of use needs and knowledge of authors, publishers, trends, and information resources in all formats is an important element in collection development.

II. Basis for Policy
Middle School’s collection development policy is designed to guide collection building that will provide resources consistent with the District’s Mission Statement. Out of necessity it is also driven by available funding.

III. Community Served
Our primary service population is Middle School students and staff members. Through resource sharing agreements and interlibrary loan the collection is available to potentially all students within the School District.
IV. Selection of Library Materials
The media specialist selects and deselects library materials with recommendations given by teachers and students.

A. Selection Criteria Library material selection takes place within the framework of a school library system. A set of criteria are identified below, against which all items, whether purchased or donated, are evaluated and which apply to all formats and collections. The school’s collection includes material on a wide range of subject areas written or produced for the school population. Materials are selected to meet the needs of a middle school population, whose interest, views, and informational needs are varied. Not all items in the library will be of interest to, or suitable for, all library patrons. In selecting materials for the library collections, the following general criteria are used: 1. Materials shall be chosen to support, complement, and enrich the curriculum and to meet the educational, emotional, and recreational needs of all patrons.

2. Materials shall represent varying viewpoints so users can engage in critical analysis of information, make judgments based on all available information, and explore their own beliefs, attitudes, and behavior.

3. Books shall meet high standards of quality in: a. Accuracy and currency of information b. Importance of the subject matter and relevance to real-life situations c. Be appropriate for the academic subject areas d. Represent different viewpoints, establishing a library collection with balance.

4. In order to assure quality selection the following additional factors will be weighed as they apply: a. Reputation and significance of the author, producer, editor, and/or publisher b. Degree of potential user appeal c. Arrangement and organization of the material d. Readability levels e. Need for duplicate copies of extensively used materials f. Need to replace essential/required worn, damaged, or missing materials

5. Consideration should be given to diverse user interests, abilities, backgrounds, cultures, languages, and maturity levels. Materials intended for student use should be appropriate for the subject areas and for the age, social development, ability levels, special needs, and learning styles of students served by the collection. B. Selection Tools In order to select the most current and relevant materials on any topic, the library media specialist will use the following representative list of selection tools to aid with the review and purchasing process. 1. Reviews in professional, reputable sources such as media such as: Booklist, School Library Journal, Horn Book, Publisher’s Weekly, etc. 2. Subscription services such as the Junior Library Guild. 3. Personally previewed material 4. Recommendations by District Library Services coordination field librarians. 5. Curriculum "guides in all subject areas" 6. National and state awards such as Newbery, Coretta Scott King, Truman, Mark Twain, and Michael Printz 7. Online collection development tools such as Follett’s Titlewave. 8. Criteria set forth by the District. 9. Recommendations by faculty, administration, students, or parents

C. Weeding The MS library media center recognizes the importance and necessity of having a collection of materials that is current, accurate, relevant, and useful with regard to content and format. Therefore, a periodic evaluation of the collection will be conducted by the library media specialist(s) to determine if any items in the collection no longer meet the standards for inclusion. The following guidelines have been devised to aid with the weeding process.

Guidelines:

1. Weeding Based on Content a. information is out-of-date b. information is inaccurate c. information no longer supports the curriculum d. unsuitable subject or treatment suitable to school population

2. Weeding Based on Physical Condition a. pages are tattered, torn, damaged, yellowed b. binding is beyond repair

3. AV materials with broken or missing pieces

4. Weeding Based on Duplicate or Superfluous Copies a. unneeded duplicate copies b. older edition when newer one is available c. books which no longer relate to the curriculum

5. Weeding Based on Use a. Nonfiction: the item has not been checked out in the last 5-7 years b. Fiction: the item has not been checked out in the last 5-7 years

D. The Collection The library media specialist has primary responsibility for the selection and maintenance of the various collections serving the school population of patrons from grades sixth through eighth, as well as the faculty and staff. This will include: 1. Fiction - The Middle School will acquire fiction material in a wide range of genres. Material is purchased in a variety of formats and multiple copies are purchased to meet patron demands. 2. Young Adult (YA books) - Our young adult collection is comprised of titles selected in order to strive towards meeting our student’s needs. Young adult (YA) novels, also sometimes called teen novels, are generally read by children anywhere from age 12 upwards. Based on book reviews, personally previewed material and the schools book rating guidelines (see attached, Appendix A) only 7th and 8th grade students may read these books. 3. Non-Fiction - The nonfiction collection emphasizes timely, accurate and useful informational materials to support the Middle School curriculum. Materials are selected to represent a continuum of opinions and viewpoints and is purchased in a variety of formats.

4. Reference - Reference materials provide quick, concise and up-to-date information. They include indexes, encyclopedias, bibliographies, biographical resources, dictionaries, almanacs and directories. Some reference resources will be provided via electronic access only. Generally reference materials are primarily for in-house use, however they may be checked out daily for in-school use or on an overnight basis.

5. Professional - The library maintains a small professional collection for faculty. Items are added which are compatible with professional development goals as set forth by the Middle School Professional Development Committee.

6. Audio Visual - AV Materials are chosen with the same care and according to the same criteria as the print collection.

7. Magazines/Newspapers - Periodicals support the curriculum and provide leisure reading for students. Professional review journals and library periodicals for instruction may be considered for purchase. Consider access to full text online periodical databases as well. Newspapers may be ordered as needed, considering access to full text online newspaper databases as well.

8. Alternative Books - The alternative books are generally books weeded from other libraries or from donations unable to place in system. This collection is used for students during the school year who have lost books. Students will be charged a $5.00 fine for the loss of the book.

E. Criteria and Procedures for Library Donations Gifts are welcome. Each gift is evaluated according to the same criteria as items under consideration for purchase. The library retains the rights to refuse gifts. A gift once give becomes the sole property of the library and the donor relinquishes all rights to it.

F. Procedure for Challenges to Library Resources See School Board Polices - section labeled: Public questions, comments or concerns regarding district instructional/media/library materials