Library Selection Policy & Procedures

Neligh- Oakdale Schools

By: Cassie Koinzan
TE 871

***Logo, Mission Statement, and information adopted from the Neligh-Oakdale website and library
policy and procedure manual, anything I added or edited I typed in red.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS
I. PERSONNEL POLICIES
a. CIRCULATION AND CHECKOUT
b. CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS

II. COLLECTION (SELECTION) POLICIES

a. GIFTS
b. WEEDING MATERIALS

III. CONTROVERSIAL AND CHALLENGED

MATERIALS

IV. PLAN FOR ADAPTATION OF POLICIES

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 Neligh- Oakdale Schools
Library Selection Policy & Procedures

School Mission Statement:

The mission of the Neligh-Oakdale District is to provide an environment where all students
will acquire the skills to become lifelong learners and productive citizens in a diverse,
technology-changing global society.

Library Mission Statement:

The Neligh-Oakdale Public School libraries will provide learning resources and informational
materials through printed, audio, and technology services that support and improve student
learning. Neligh-Oakdale’s Library Media Specialist will strive to create a positive learning
environment that is welcoming and will provide current resources to assist in creating
lifelong learners.

I. PERSONNEL POLICIES:
Organize and manage resources to:
1. Ensure the library’s resources are available to all
2. Promote use of the library
3. Assist students and teachers with life-long learning
4. Promote literacy for all ages
5. Provide current information
6. Provide recreational reading resources
7. Promote the A. R. program to improve reading skills
8. Plan, develop, and evaluate a program that meets the needs of the faculty, students,
and community (Morris, 2010, p. 157).
9. Facilitate students’ reading for pleasure
10. Meet the American Association of School Librarian’s Standard for 21st Century
Learner (2007)
a. Learners Use Skills, Resources, & Tools to:
i. Inquire, think critically, and gain knowledge
ii. Draw Conclusions, make informed decisions, apply knowledge to new
situations, and create new knowledge.
iii. Share knowledge and participate ethically and productively as
member of our democratic society.
iv. Pursue personal and aesthetic growth.

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Library Services:
1. Select, organize, and make available necessary books and materials
2. Guide and assist the students in their research for materials
3. Provide service during the school hours in session
4. Periodically review library services being offered
5. Collaborate with teachers
6. Implement many activities and integrate information literacy into the curriculum
(Morris, 2010, p. 159).

CIRCULATION AND CHECKOUT

The NOHS library will be open and provide services during the school hours in session.
Monday –Thursday 8:00a.m. -3:45 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Students:
 Two books can be checked out for two weeks.
 The books will be due on the third week and may be returned any time throughout
that week (Morris, 2010, p. 446).
 If your book has not been returned by the end of the forth week, a late notice will be
sent home with the cost to replace the book.
 No fine is charged for overdue materials.
 “If within another week the material has still not been returned, a second notice is
sent out” (Morris, 2010, p. 447).
 Books can be renewed if needed for a longer period of time.
 To have a book renewed, you must have the book with you.
 Students with overdue books cannot check out anything until the overdue items are
returned or the lost books are paid for.

Teachers:
 Teachers may check out an unlimited amount of books.
 They have no time limit of when the items are due.
 All books must be checked back into the library at the end of the year.

Damaged of Lost Items:

 Books or magazines that have not been checked in by the last day of the current
school year will need to be paid for.
 The cost of the book will be determined by the LMS.
 Lost items will be charged according to the current cost for replacement.
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  If a replacement item is not available the price of the item will be as follows-
o Hard-covered book- $12.00
o Paperback- $7.00
o Magazine- $3.00

CONFIDENTIALITY OF RECORDS
Policy-
The confidentiality and privacy of a patron will be protected at all times.

Procedure-
 The Library media specialist will honor the confidentiality of student records.
 “Instead of giving out a class list to a teacher to announce those students having
overdue books” (Morris, 2010, p. 447), they will give individual notices to the teacher
with only the name showing.
 All library records will be considered confidential and not released to a third party.
(Fort Riley Elementary School, 2014).
 If a student or a legal guardian wishes to have a report of their child’s account, a
report will be given. (Fort Riley Elementary School, 2014).

II. COLLECTION (SELECTION) POLICIES:

The library media centers at the Neligh-Oakdale Schools exist for educational
purposes, the implementation of classroom activities, and support of the school curriculum.
The centers provide additional materials to attract students to reading, viewing, and
listening to be a life-long learner. We recognize the nature of this community and the varied
background and need of all citizens, regardless of race, creed, or political beliefs.
The Board of Education, as the policy making and governing body of the school
district, is legally responsible for the selection and approval of all print and non-print
materials. Books or library materials selected by the media specialist shall be held to be
selected by the Board. No library materials shall be excluded because of the race, sex,
nationality, political or social views of the author.
Selections should meet the Neligh-Oakdale School and Library mission statements,
assisting in creating life-long learners. Selection of library material shall be made by the
librarian in cooperation with faculty, staff, and students. Materials will be chosen to enrich
curriculum and support educational, emotional, and recreational needs of all of its students
(including those with special needs). Materials must be age appropriate while representing
differing viewpoints and controversial issues, so that students can develop their own beliefs,
attitudes, and views. It is important that the materials are accurate, unbiased, and free of

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stereotypes. When making a selection the format, durability, quality, and price must all be
considered.
The Librarian will use selection tools to assist in the selection process, including
Titlewave, Mackin, Perma Bound Books, Booklist, and School Library Journal.
A collection of materials for professional development will be provided for faculty
members. The selection process will follow the material selection policy while including
input from the administration and staff.

GIFTS
Donated materials and monetary gifts will be evaluated according to the media selection
criteria and school policy, being accepted or rejected accordingly. “The library does not
accept gifts with restrictions or conditions relating to their final use, disposition, or location”
(Mardis, 2010, p. 61). We ask that the donated materials be published within the last 10 years
to help keep the collection current.

WEEDING MATERIALS
The Library Media Specialist will weed books that are in poor condition. Books that are
outdated in content or accuracy, have stereotypes, are biased, or written at an
inappropriate reading level will also be weeded. A book with a copyright date of ten years or
older and books that have not been circulated in the last five years should be considered for
weeding. It is important to not make decisions of weeding based solely on the copyright
date and circulation, the LMS must also use his/ her own professional judgement. Keep
books that are classics, award winners, or included in the “best book” lists.
Weeding is an ongoing process which should include not only the removal of materials, but
also the replacement of lost and worn materials.

III. CONTROVERSIAL AND CHALLENGED MATERIALS:

The Neligh-Oakdale School Library “supports the principles of intellectual freedom inherent
in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution as expressed in official statements
of professional associations” (Mardis, 2010, p. 61).
No book or library material shall be removed from the library without unanimous agreement
by the Board of Education or under the orders of a court of competent jurisdiction.
If a complaint is made, the procedure is as follows:
1. Staff members are to be courteous to the complainant, make no
commitment, advise complainant to arrange a conference with the Library
Media Specialist, and notify the Superintendent and Board President.

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 2. At this conference the Library Media Specialist will invite the complainant to
file his/her objections in writing on the form “Request for Reconsideration of
Library Material”.
3. A complainant who does not complete and return the form receives no
further consideration.
4. Upon receipt of the completed form the Library Media Specialist will request a
review of the challenged material by the Library Media Specialist,
Superintendent, technology coordinator, and School Board. This committee
must meet within two weeks and come to a conclusion in four weeks.
5. The committee takes the following steps after receiving the challenged
material(s).
a. Reads the book, views, or listens to the material in its entirety, and
completes the recommended checklist “Checklist for Library Advisory
Committee’s Reconsideration of Materials”.
b. Check general acceptance of the material by reading reviews and
consulting recommended lists.
c. The committee meets as a group, and jointly completes the checklist.
6. Upon completion of the checklist, the committee will decide whether to keep
or remove the material.
7. The Superintendent will then notify the complainant with the committee’s
decision, stating the intent of the school district and inviting the complainant
to meet with the superintendent, Library Media Specialist, and Board of
Education if he/she wishes.
8. If the committee decides to remove the material, the Library Media Specialist
must ensure the material is immediately removed and discarded.

IV. PLAN FOR ADAPTATION OF POLICIES:

A revised copy of the Neligh-Oakdale Library Policy and Procedures will be presented
to the board on the 2nd Monday of the month. The Board will then look over the adapted
policies and on the 2nd Monday of the following month it will be approved and put into
action. As soon as the policy is adopted and approved by the board, the changes will go into
effect.
Once approved by the board, a notification will be emailed to all staff with the
revised policy changes. A notice will also be sent home with the students of the changes in
the circulations policy including the new procedures for lost or damaged books. A complete
updated copy of the Neligh-Oakdale Library Policy and Procedures will be uploaded to the
Neligh-Oakdale Library webpage for community access.

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References:

American Association of School Librarians. (2007). Standards for the 21st century learner.

Chicago: American Library Association.

Fort Riley Elementary School. (2014). Library Policy and Procedures. Retrieved October 8,

2017 from http://www.sldirectory.com/libsf/resf/manage.html

Mardis, M. (2016). The collection program in schools: Concepts and practices (6th ed.). Santa

Barbara, CA.

Morris, B. J. (2010). Administering the school library media center. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries

Unlimited.