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Stonewall Jackson Elementary

Library Media Center Collection Development Plan

Dallas Independent School District 5828 E. Mockingbird Lane

Dallas, Texas 75206

Created by Kelli Yonker Library Media Specialist

2012-2013

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Table of Contents

School Mission Statement ........................................................................................ 3 Campus Library Mission Statement .......................................................................... 3 Library Goals ............................................................................................................. 4 Materials and Learning Resources ............................................................................ 5 Selection Criteria ....................................................................................................... 6 Acquisitions ............................................................................................................... 6 Electronic Information ............................................................................................... 7 Gifts ........................................................................................................................... 7 Recommendations ..................................................................................................... 7 Removal of Materials ................................................................................................ 7 Weeding Policy ......................................................................................................... 8-10 Reconsideration of Materials ..................................................................................... 11-13 Challenged Materials ................................................................................................. 13 Exhibit 1: Requesters Form ....................................................................................... 14 Exhibit 2: Review Committee Form .......................................................................... 15-18

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Mission Statements

Stonewall Jackson School Mission Statement: It is our belief that while each child is an individual and uniquely different, each student deserves the chance to develop emotionally, socially, and educationally to the height of his/her potential. It is our belief that the school must meet the individual needs of each student and, at the same time, provide an educational setting and academic environment free from distractions, conducive to learning, and one which is neither permissive nor restrictive. Every single child is IMPORTANT, and we believe that it is the responsibility of every person who has a hand in the education of the children at Stonewall Jackson to go about the task with patience, understanding, professionalism and a caring attitude. Campus Library Mission Statement: The Campus Librarian's mission is to encourage all individuals to become lifelong learners.

Under the leadership of Library Media Services, the campus librarian will incorporate the following Standards of Service:

• provide a comprehensive collection of instructional materials with equitable access selected in compliance with Dallas ISD approved collection development policies while responding positively to changes that users need and want in resources and services;

• support the students' right to free selection of materials for enjoyment or information; • support academic rigor by integrating the teaching of research and information

processing skills to ensure students are college ready and effective life-long users of information;

• encourage a high level of circulation which includes intra-library loan of materials to all students and staff;

• collaborate with teachers so that information processing skills and ethical behavior in the use of the information are taught in the context of the curriculum through direct instruction of all resources;

• nurture and cultivate effective teaching; • stay abreast of the information culture of students and staff and incorporate this

awareness into the library program; • be an active participant in moving the library program forward by broadening one's

professional learning through articles, conferences, professional development, and networking with colleagues; and

• seek knowledge of technological changes and integrate them effectively into the framework of the curriculum.

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Library Goals The goals of the Stonewall Jackson Elementary School Library are: • Provide instruction to foster competence and stimulate an interest in reading, and viewing and using information and ideas. • Support students increasing reading ability through print and digital media. • Implement and continue the monthly Stonewall Book Club for 4th and 5th graders. • Implement reading programs including; Texas Bluebonnet Program (3-5), Book It! (K-5), Six Flags Reading Program (K-5), Readers are Leaders (PreK-2). Teach information literacy skills within the context of the curriculum: • Research Skills will be taught in collaboration with the classroom teachers to provide instruction in the use of databases, atlases, encyclopedias, dictionaries, and the Internet. Other research materials are available to complete classroom assignments and personal interest research including the district databases. • Technology skills instruction will be provided to teach the students the use of the Electronic Card Catalog system. Assistance is also provided for students electing to use Internet search engines for locating information. • Teach the students digital citizenship where students will understand and practice appropriate and safe uses of technology. Enhance classroom curriculum instruction: • Work with other educators to design learning strategies to meet the needs of individual students and support the instruction of the state TEKS. • Increase collaboration activities between the library media center and the faculty/staff and the community. To provide a wide range of quality children's literature: • Maintain a balanced and organized collection of high quality materials and provide professional assistance to all of its users. • Encourage a high level of circulation including intra-library loan of materials to all students and faculty. To improve parental involvement and customer service: • Effectively use volunteers through SPARKS Program (Stonewall Parents are Reading to Kids), Book Club, Technology Committee, Book Fair, and shelving opportunities. • Increase publicity of the library media center through the Spotlight, Stonewall Jackson website, and newsletters.

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Materials and Learning Resources

School Board Policy

The District shall provide a wide range of instructional resources for students and faculty that present varying levels of difficulty, diversity of appeal, and a variety of points of view. Although trained professional staff are afforded the freedom to select instructional resources for their use in accordance with this policy, and the state-mandated curriculum, the ultimate authority for determining and approving the resources for the curriculum and instructional pro-gram of the District lies with the Board. Objectives In this policy, “instructional resources” refers to textbooks and library acquisitions, supplemental materials for classroom use, and any other materials, including electronic resources, used for formal or informal teaching and learning purposes. The primary objectives of instructional resources are to deliver, support, enrich, and assist in implementing the District’s educational program. The Board shall rely on District professional staff to select and acquire instructional resources that:

1. Enrich and support the curriculum, taking into consideration students’ varied interests, abilities, learning styles, and maturity levels. 2. Stimulate growth in factual knowledge, enjoyment of reading, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and societal standards. 3. Present various sides of controversial issues so that students have an opportunity to develop, under guidance, skills in critical analysis and in making informed judgments in their daily lives. 4. Represent many ethnic, religious, and cultural groups and their contributions to the national heritage and world community. 5. Provide a wide range of background information that will enable students to make intelligent judgments in their daily lives.

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Selection Criteria

In the selection of instructional resources other than textbooks, including library acquisitions, supplemental materials for classroom use, and outside resource speakers, professional staff shall ensure that materials:

1. Support and are consistent with the general educational goals of the state and District and the aims and objectives of individual schools and specific courses consistent with the District and campus improvement plans.

2. Meet high standards in presentation, format, readability, content, accuracy, artistic or literary quality, and educational significance.

3. Are appropriate for the subject and for the age, ability level, learning styles, and social and emotional development of the students for whom they are selected.

4. Are designed to provide information that will motivate students to examine their own attitudes and behavior, to understand their rights, duties, and responsibilities as citizens, and to make informed judgments in their daily lives.

Acquisitions

The librarian will be responsible for the purchasing of materials for the Stonewall Jackson Elementary media center collection following the district guidelines. The collection will include the following materials and equipment:

• Print materials (books), including fiction, nonfiction, biography, story collection and reference

• Periodicals (magazines and newspapers) in print or non-print format • Non-print materials (including DVD, CD-ROM, and computer software) • Audiovisual equipment (including projector bulbs) • Professional collection of materials including books and periodicals relating to the

field of education and library science. • Electronic resources (including e-books and additional databases that are not

funded by Dallas ISD Library Services) The librarian will use the district approved vendors from the Dallas ISD Library Media Services Department to purchase materials for the school. Purchase orders will be used following budget guidelines to acquire materials. The Library Media Services will catalog and classify the received orders according to the district standards. The librarian is then responsible for keeping the library media collection organized and accessible to students and staff.

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Electronic Information Access to the Internet is a right and privilege to all students in the Dallas ISD. All patrons will need to sign the Acceptable Use Policy before they are allowed to access internet resources. The Dallas ISD Library Media Services department funds and provides access to 20 on-line educational databases. All databases can be accessed 24 hours a day from any Dallas ISD computer and a remote connection from home. Gifts Gifts of library and instructional resources donated by individuals, groups, or organizations shall be evaluated according to the district criteria and accepted or rejected accordingly. Gift items of which a more current version already exists in a specific library’s collection or items that have been deaccessioned, or removed, from another library outside of the District or second-hand stores will not be added to the school collection. Recommendations Recommendations for library acquisitions shall involve the librarians, administrators, teachers, other District personnel, and community representatives, as appropriate.

Removal of Materials The District possesses significant discretion to determine the content of its school libraries. The District must, however, exercise its discretion in a manner consistent with the First Amendment.

Students’ First Amendment rights are implicated by the removal of books from the shelves of a school library. The District shall not remove materials from a library for the purpose of denying students access to ideas with which the District disagrees. The District may remove materials because they are pervasively vulgar or based solely upon the educational suitability of the books in question.

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Weeding Policy

The Dallas ISD requires the selection of materials to be an ongoing process. This would include the removal of resources that are no longer appropriate for the school. In addition the librarian should replace materials that are out of date, and repair lost or worn materials that are still of educational value. It is necessary for the librarian to keep the collection current and in good physical condition. In order to achieve a cohesive collection the process of weeding is an important component of library management. Weeding is the ongoing procedure of removing materials from the library collection systematically. The Dallas ISD Library Services department recommends the CREW method for all libraries to use when they are weeding their collection. The acronym CREW stands for (Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding). This is a continuing process that should be done throughout the school year. In accordance to the standards and guidelines from the state of Texas our goal at Stonewall Jackson Elementary is to maintain an overall average age of collection of less than 11 years with special attention for specific disciplines. We will also apply the MUSTIE method when examining materials. MUSTIE is the acronym for the six negative factors that make books and other materials prime candidates for weeding. MUSTIE stands for (Misleading, Ugly, Superseded, Trivial, Irrelevant, and Elsewhere).

The librarian will use the collection reports to help evaluate material in the collection. Weeding should be ongoing through check-in and check-out procedures and also formally scheduled throughout the year. Throughout the weeding process the librarian should use the individual library book flags to identify the correct distribution of materials that are weeded.

Criteria Checklist for Weeding

o Date- when was it added to collection and published? o Author – is the author still read? o Print & Illustrations- small print, yellow pages, poor illustrations? o Physical Condition – missing or torn pages, bad bindings? o Additional Copies – are there more copies in better condition? o Other books on the same subject in the collection? – is there more

available? o Expense of replacement- can it be replaced or rebound? o Circulation rate – has it been circulated in the past 3-5 years? o Relevance of the subject to the community – are patrons still

interested?

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Weeding Policy (continued) Additional suggested copyright criteria for materials when considering them for weeding:

Dewey Classifications 000 – 2-10 years 500 – 5-10 years 100 – 10 years 600 – 5-10 years 200 – 2-10 years 700 – 5-15 years 300 – 5-10 years 800 – flexible400 –10 years 900 – 15 years

Finally, after items have been pulled during the weeding process the following procedures should be followed for distribution of the omitted items. No items are to be donated, recycled or traded according to the Library Services department. All items will need to be sent to the Library Services department in the Dallas ISD with the appropriate labels on the boxes. Reassignment - Items that are outdated, worn or no longer suitable for other libraries need to be DELETED from the circulation system following district procedures. The items should be boxed and labeled for reassignment and sent to library services. No packing list is necessary.

Redistribution – Items that can be used by other libraries such as multiple copies, or items that are inappropriate for your level. They should be in very good or new condition. Through circulation procedures, change the holding code to Redistribution. A packing list should be included and the boxed items should be labeled and sent to redistribution.

Biographies Flexible Fiction 10 years Encyclopedia 5-7 years Reference 10 years (Evaluate on individual basis) Maps/Globes 5 years Computer Software 5 years Periodicals 5 years Almanacs/Yearbooks 3 years in reference,

3 additional years in circulation DVD’s/Videocassettes 5 years

CD’s and Playaways 5 years

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Weeding Policy (continued)

There are some materials that should be evaluated and kept in the collection even though they meet the criteria for weeding.

Book Flag for weeding selections from the collection:

CONSIDER KEEPING:

o Classics and award winners o Local History items o Annuals and School Publications o Titles from current reading lists o Out of print titles that are still useful o Biographical sources

Stonewall Jackson Library

Book Flag

WITHDRAW _____

MEND _____

REPLACE _____

CHECK FURTHER _____

TRANSFER TO _____

OTHER _____

NOTES: ________________________________________

________________________________________

________________________________________

_________________________________________________

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Reconsideration of Materials Any issue may become controversial or sensitive because of outside events or specific circumstances. District staff shall follow guidelines developed by the Superintendent of Schools in handling or presenting controversial or sensitive issues related to curriculum and instruction, speakers, presentations, and surveys. In the selection of library materials, the goals shall be the maintenance of a balanced collection representing various views. Library materials shall be chosen to clarify historical and contemporary forces by presenting and analyzing intergroup tension and conflict objectively, placing emphasis on recognizing and understanding social and economic problems Challenged Materials

Anyone may challenge materials used for instruction. Challenges should first be made at the campus level unless the materials were adopted on a District wide basis. The campus administrator will cause the implementation of procedures noted in the district policy which include an informal reconsideration, a formal reconsideration, and an appeal. If such challenges are made at the District level to Board members, the Superintendent of Schools or other central administrators will cause the implementation of the same procedures. Materials not subject to reconsideration Textbooks and their ancillary/supplementary materials approved in the textbook adoption process are not subject to reconsideration during the term of the adoption. Resources subject to reconsideration Sensitive issues are ones identified from previous experience as areas that need careful thought and review. Resources addressing sensitive issues are subject to the building and/or District material reconsideration process. Supplemental programs, speakers, and resources (other than state-adopted materials) are subject to principal, teacher, and building-level review. In addition, any supplemental program approved for District use is subject to the District material reconsideration process. Any audio-visual/computer software (other than state-adopted materials) approved for District use is subject to the building and District material reconsideration process. Books in the library collection are subject to the building and District reconsideration process.

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Reconsideration of Materials (continued)

Informal Reconsideration The school receiving a complaint about the appropriateness of an instructional resource shall try to resolve the matter informally using the following procedure: 1. The principal or other knowledgeable professional staff shall explain the school’s selection process, the criteria for selection, and the qualifications of the professional staff who selected the questioned material. 2. The principal or other knowledgeable professional staff shall explain the role the questioned material plays in the educational program, its intended educational usefulness, and any additional information regarding its use. 3. If appropriate, the principal may offer a concerned parent an-other resource to be used by that parent’s child in place of the challenged material. 4. If the complainant wishes to make a formal challenge, the principal shall provide a copy of this policy and a Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials form (see EXHIBIT 1 at the bottom of this document) Formal Reconsideration All formal objections to instructional resources shall be made on the Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials form. The form shall be completed and signed by the complainant and submitted to the principal or designee. The Learning Community Executive Director and the Chief Academic Officer shall be in-formed of the formal complaint received. Upon receipt of the re-quest, the principal shall appoint a reconsideration committee within seven days, which shall review the challenged material and determine whether it conforms to the principles of selection set out in this policy. The decision of the reconsideration committee is binding for the affected school. The building-level reconsideration committee shall consist of the principal, three staff members including at least one member who is familiar with the challenged material, and three members of the school community. Members may include District-level staff, library staff, parents, and others deemed appropriate by the principal. All members of the committee shall review the challenged material in its entirety. As soon as reasonably possible, the committee shall meet and determine whether the challenged material conforms to the principles of selection set out in this policy. The committee shall then prepare a written report on the Reconsideration of Instructional Resources Committee Report (see EXHIBIT 2 at the bottom of this document). Copies of the report shall be provided to the principal, the Chief Academic Officer, the Learning Community Executive Director, and the Superintendent of Schools or designee. A minority report may also be filed.

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Reconsideration of Materials (continued) Appeal The complainant may appeal the decision of the reconsideration committee to the Board by filing a written request with the Learning Community Executive Director seven days from the reconsideration committee’s decision. The request for a Board hearing shall contain a copy of the original complaint, the reconsideration committee’s report, and dates of conferences with the principal or designee. The Learning Community Executive Director shall review these records and submit them to the Superintendent of Schools, who shall review the records and submit them to the Board for its consideration, along with any administrative recommendation. The Board shall hear the complaint within 30 days after the written request is filed with the Superintendent of Schools and shall communicate its decision at any time up to and including the next regularly scheduled Board meeting. Guiding Principles The following principles shall guide the Board and staff in responding to challenges of instructional resources:

1. A parent of a District student, any employee, or other District resident may raise an objection to an instructional resource used in a school’s educational program, despite the fact that the professional staff selecting the resources were qualified to make the selection, followed the proper procedure, and adhered to the objectives and criteria for instructional resources set out in this policy.

2. A parent’s ability to exercise control over reading, listening, or viewing matter extends only to his or her own children.

3. When instructional resources are challenged, the principles of the freedom to read, listen, and view must be defended as well.

4. Access to challenged material shall not be restricted during the reconsideration process. 5. A decision to sustain a challenge shall not necessarily be interpreted as a judgment of

irresponsibility by the professionals involved in the original selection and/or use of the material.

The major criterion for the final decision on challenged materials is the appropriateness of the material for its intended educational use. No challenged library material shall be removed solely because of the ideas expressed therein.

The following forms are used by the school district for reconsideration purposes.

Exhibit 1: Requestor’s Form — 1 page Exhibit 2: Review Committee Form — 4 pages

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EXHIBIT 1

REQUESTOR’S FORM

Requestor Name ____________________________________________ Date ___________

Address __________________________________________________________________

City _______________________________________ State ______ Zip ________________

Telephone ____________________________________

E-mail address _____________________________________________________________

Request represents: o Self o Organization (please specify) _______________________

1. Resource on which you are commenting:

o Book o Textbook o Visual Media o Display o Magazine o Program o Electronic Resource o Other (specify) _____________________________________________________

Title __________________________________________________________________

Author/Producer ________________________________________________________

2. Have you read or viewed the entire work? o Yes o No

If not, what parts have been read?

3. To what material do you object? (Please be specific: cite pages or sequence.)

4. Have you read/observed the material in its entirety?

5. What good or valuable features do you find in the material?

6. Have you read any reviews of the material, and if so, please list source and date of the review.

7. Are you aware of the literary critics’ judgment of this book and the author’s reputation?

Write what you know of these literary opinions.

8. What would you like done with this material?

o Do not assign/lend it to my child o Send it to a committee for evaluation.

9. Arethereresourcesyousuggesttoprovideadditionalinformationand/orotherviewpointsonthistopic?

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EXHIBIT 2

REVIEW COMMITTEE FORM

I. Statement of Policy

A. A parent of a District student or employee, or other District resident may formally challenge an instructional resource used in the District’s educational program on the basis of appropriateness.

II. Request for Informal Reconsideration

A. The school receiving a complaint regarding a learning resource shall try to resolve the issue informally.

B. The principal or other appropriate staff shall explain to the complainant the school’s selection procedure, criteria, and qualifications of those persons selecting the resource.

C. The principal or other appropriate staff shall explain the particular place the questioned resource occupies in the education program, its intended educational usefulness, and additional information regarding its use, or refer the party to someone who can identify and explain the use of the resource.

D. If the complainant wishes to file a formal challenge, a copy the policy and of the Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Resources form shall be handed or mailed to the party concerned by the principal.

III. Request for Formal Reconsideration Procedures A. All formal objections to learning resources must be made on the Request for

Reconsideration of Instructional Materials form. B. The Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials form shall be signed by

the complainant and filed with the principal or someone so designated by the principal.

C. The Area Superintendent and the Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction shall be informed of the formal complaint received.

D. The request for reconsideration shall be referred to a reconsideration committee at the school level for reevaluation of the resource within seven days.

E. Upon receipt of a request for formal reconsideration of a learning resource, the principal shall appoint a reconsideration committee according to District guidelines. The building-level reconsideration committee shall consist of the principal, three staff members including at least one member who is familiar with the challenged material, and three members of the school community. Members may include District-level staff, library staff, parents, and others deemed appropriate by the principal.

F. The reconsideration committee shall examine the challenged resource and judge whether it conforms to the principles outlined in the Checklist for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials Review Committee Form.

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IV. Prepare a written report. A. The written report shall be discussed with the individual complainant, if requested. B. The written report shall be retained by the school principal, with copies forwarded to

the Associate Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction, the Area Superintendent, and the Superintendent or designee. A minority report may also be filed.

C. The decision of the reconsideration committee is binding for the individual school.

V. The complainant shall have the right to appeal any decision of the reconsideration committee to the Board of Education as the final review panel by filing a written request with the Area Superintendent within seven days of the local reconsideration committee’s decision. The request for a Board hearing shall contain a copy of the original complaint, the reconsideration committee’s report, and dates of conferences with the principal or designee.

VI. Guiding Principles

A. A parent of a District student or employee, or other District resident may raise an objection to an instructional resource used in a school’s educational program, even though the professional staff selecting the resources were qualified to make the selection, followed the proper procedure, and adhered to the objectives and criteria for instructional resources set out in this policy. The principal should review the selection and objection rules with the teaching staff at least annually. The staff should be reminded that the right to object to learning resources is one granted by policies enacted by the Board of Education.

B. No parent has the right to determine reading, viewing, or listening matter for students other than his or her own children.

C. When learning resources are challenged, the principles of the freedom to read/listen/view must be defended as well.

D. Access to challenged material shall not be restricted during the reconsideration process.

E. The major criterion for the final decision is the appropriateness of the material for its intended educational use.

F. A decision to sustain a challenge shall not necessarily be interpreted as a judgment of irresponsibility by the professionals involved in the original selection and/or use of the material.

Title __________________________________________________________________

Author/Producer ________________________________________________________

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A. PURPOSE

What is the overall purpose of this material?

Is the purpose accomplished? Yes o No o

B. The following questions may be useful in evaluating the materials according to the selection criteria:

What is the reputation and significance of the author and publisher/producer in the field?

Yes No 1. Is this material up-to-date? o o 2. Are information sources well documented? o o 3. Are translations and retellings faithful to the original? o o 4. Does this material promote the educational goals and objectives of

the state and District curriculum? o o 5. Are materials appropriate to the level of instruction intended? o o 6. Are the illustrations appropriate to the subject and age level? o o 7. Does this material give a new dimension or direction to the subject? o o 8. Does it offer an opportunity to better understand and appreciate the

aspirations, achievements, and problems of various minority groups? o o

19. Are any questionable elements an integral part of a worthwhile theme or message? o o

10. Does this material make a significant contribution to the history of literature of ideas? o o

11. Are concepts presented appropriate to the ability and maturity of the potential readers? o o

12. Do characters speak in a language true to the period and section of the county in which they live? o o

13. Is the material free of derisive names and epithets that would offend minority groups or women? o o

C. Reviews

Find up to three reviews on the title form professional journals

Source of review:

Date: ____________________ Page number: ________________

o favorable o unfavorable

Comments:

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

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Source of review:

Date: ____________________ Page number: ________________

o favorable o unfavorable

Comments:

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Source of review:

Date: ____________________ Page number: ________________

o favorable o unfavorable

Comments:

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________

Attach copies of all reviews used by this committee.

RECOMMENDATION BY COMMITTEE:

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

SIGNATURE OF COMMITTEE MEMBERS:

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

DATE: _______________________