Picayune School District

Library Handbook2017 - 2018

School Board Adopted October 24, 2017

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Picayune School DistrictLibrary Policies and Procedures

Vision StatementThe Picayune School District seeks to create a 21st century environment that promotes learning for all students by providing equitable access to information, teaching information literacy skills and encouraging lifelong learning. The library strives to be a center of collaborative learning that produces intellectual students who have an appreciation of literature and critical thinking skills.

Mission StatementThe mission of Mississippi’s school library programs is to assist in providing a quality education for every child by

● Encouraging lifelong information literacy and learning through reading and inquiry.● Providing an inviting environment in which students and staff become learners capable of

accessing, evaluating, applying, and sharing information independently.● Providing real and virtual access to appropriate, high-quality resources (print and non-

print) and services that support and enhance teaching, literacy, and learning during and outside the school day.

● Participating in curriculum development and design of learning activities.● Facilitating professional development for the learning community.

An Effective School Library Effective school libraries are dynamic learning environments that bridge the information literacy gap for all Pre-K-12 learners. The school library provides students and teachers access to an array of well-managed resources that elevate classroom learning. In this way, effective school library programs prepare students for college and career. The library program focuses on accessing and evaluating information, providing digital learning training and experiences, and developing a culture of reading.

Selection PolicyThe goal of the Picayune School District selection policy is to provide general guidelines in selection of materials. It will reflect the needs and interests of all students. The materials will support the goals and curriculum of the school district and will represent the ever-changing needs of our information society. Library materials at each school are selected cooperatively by the librarian in consultation with the administration, faculty, students, parents, and other community members. Selection is a cooperative, continuing process. Final recommendations for purchase rest with the librarian with the approval of the school principal and district superintendent.

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Objectives ● To provide and maintain a collection of books and non-print materials designed to

complement and enrich the school curriculum. ● To make available varied materials of use and interest to both students and faculty. ● To provide a wide selection of books for leisure reading and to promote a varied selection

by students. ● To provide a well-balanced collection of materials on opposing sides of controversial

issues so that students may develop the practice of critical reading and thinking. ● To provide material representative of many religious, ethnic, and cultural groups and

their contribution to our American heritage. ● To consider the needs, interests, and abilities of individual students. ● To provide instruction and guidance in the use of the library and research materials. ● To keep the collection up-to-date and relevant to the learning community served.

Collection ConsiderationEducational goals, curriculum needs, faculty needs, students’ reading level, maturity level, background, needs and interests, and existing materials will be taken into consideration in developing the library collection. Recommendations by the administrators, faculty members, students, parents, and other community members will be considered. Material selected should be favorably reviewed in one or more current or retrospective professional reviewing tools. Some examples of review sources include Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, School Library Journal, and NPR Books.

Donated and Gifted BooksThe Picayune School District welcomes gifts. The librarian will use the selection criteria listed above to determine whether the book will be added to the library’s collection. Books not selected will be offered to teachers or donated to local charities.

Weeding ProcessWeeding books will be an ongoing process throughout the year. Books will be labeled as discarded and removed from the catalog system. Weeded books will be offered to students and teachers, the remaining books will be discarded.Books will be weeded if one or more of the following criteria apply:

● Information is outdated● Lack of use (3-5 years)● Biased or portrays stereotypes● Does not support the curriculum standards● Visibly damaged● Outdated or unattractive format

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Challenged Materials PolicyDespite the quality of the selection process, occasional objections to library materials may be made. It is agreeable that a student or his/her parent/guardian should have the right to reject the use of library materials which seem incompatible with his/her values and beliefs. However, no parent/guardian has the right to determine the reading matter for students other than his/her own child(ren). In case of a complaint, the following procedures will be followed:

● Students are encouraged to get books that are on his/her reading level and are age appropriate, however, if a child selects a book which they do not like, or the parent/guardian feels is inappropriate, we ask that the book be returned and another book can be chosen. If a student consistently makes selections which the parent feels are inappropriate, they are encouraged to contact the child’s teacher or the librarian.

● If a complaint is received which specifically relates to any materials in the library, an informal discussion will be held to determine the nature of the complaint.

● When necessary, a Request for Reconsideration of Library Resources form will be provided to the complainant to fill out and return to the building principal.

● The Request for Reconsideration will be forwarded to an ad-hoc library review committee, appointed by the superintendent, which will consist of the librarian, a reading specialist and/or teacher from the school, the building principal, the director of library media services (if applicable), and a parent member of the school management team.

● A meeting of this library review committee will be scheduled within two weeks of the receipt of the Request for Reconsideration.

● Material will be judged by the committee as to its conformance with the criteria for selection listed.

● The written decision of the committee will be forwarded to the superintendent, who will inform the Board of Trustees and the complainant of the committee’s decision.

● If the complainant is dissatisfied with the decision, a request may be submitted to the superintendent requesting the Board of Trustees or a sub-committee of the Board of Trustees to review all of the proceedings. The Board of Trustees will then render a final decision as to the appropriateness of the materials in question.

● Challenged materials will remain in circulation until the process is completed.

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REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF LIBRARY RESOURCES

Format: Book _____ E-book _____ Periodical _____ CD-ROM _____ Video _____ Other ______

Title: ________________________________________

Author____________________________________ Publisher___________________________

Request Initiated by ___________________________________ Phone ___________________

Address _____________________________________________________________

Complainant represents: _______ Self or _______ Organization/Group (if yes, provide name)

Name of Organization/Group _____________________________________________________

1. Did you read/hear/view the entire work? _____ Yes _____ No

2. If not, which part did you read, hear, or view?

_____________________________________________________________________________

3. Specifically, what part of the information did you find objectionable, and why? (Please cite

pages, frames, sections, etc.)

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

4. Would you like to recommend this work for another age group? ____ Yes ___ No

5. If so, for what age group would you recommend this work? ___________________________

6. How do you perceive students would be affected by exposure to this work?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

7. What would you like for the school to do about this work?

_____ Withdraw it from all students.

_____ Withdraw it for re-consideration.

_____ Do not assign it to my child or allow my child access to this work.

Print Name Signature Date

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Please list and attach supporting evidence

Circulation Policy

Students have a scheduled library class each week in which they are able to check out new

books.

Students may also visit the library during the open times on the schedule to use the computers or

to check out books.

The library has established the following circulation policy to ensure maximum use of the

collection.

Checkout:

● Students in 1st grade may have 2 books checked out at a time.

● Students in grades 2 - 6 may have up to 3 books checked out at a time.

● Students in grades 7 and 8 check out one book at a time.

● Books are due after 2 weeks of the checkout.

● Students may renew books up to 2 times.

● Teachers may check out an unlimited amount of books with no due date.

Fines

● Elementary students are not fined for overdue books.

● Students in grades 7 through 12 are charged fines for overdue books.

● Students must pay for lost or damaged library books.

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Internet Appropriate Use Policy

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School Library Bill of Rights

School Library Bill of RightsThe American Association of School Librarians reaffirms its belief in the Library Bill of Rights of the American Library Association. Media personnel are concerned with generating understanding of American freedoms through the development of informed and responsible citizens. In this end the American Association of School Librarians asserts that the responsibility of the school Library media center is:

To provide a comprehensive collection of instructional materials selected in compliance with basic written selection principles, and to provide maximum accessibility to these materials.

To provide materials that will support the curriculum, taking into consideration the individual’s needs, and the varied interests, abilities, socioeconomic backgrounds, and maturity levels of the students served.

To provide materials for teachers and students that will encourage growth in knowledge and that will develop literary, cultural and aesthetic appreciation, and ethical standards.

To provide materials which reflect the ideas and beliefs of religious, social, political, historical, and ethnic groups and their contributions to the American and world heritage and culture, thereby enabling students to develop and intellectual integrity in forming judgments.

To provide a written statement, approved by the local Boards of Education, of the procedures for meeting the challenge of censorship of materials in school Library Media Centers.

To provide qualified professional personnel to serve teacher and students.

(Approved by American Association of School Librarians Board of Directors, Atlantic City, 1969.)

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Advocacy Policy

The Library Media Specialist will act as an advocate for the Library Media Program and provide

programs and services to promote the library program and its mission.

Procedures

● The librarian will regularly communicate with staff through written or electronic means.

● The librarian will maintain a library webpage which contains links to school appropriate

websites for students.

● The Library Media Specialist will attend grade level collaborative planning meetings to

learn the needs of teachers and create lists of books needed to support the curriculum.

● The librarian will establish an advocacy committee consisting of administrators, teachers,

parents, and students in order to communicate effectively about the library program and

available resources.

Responsibilities of the Library Media Specialist

● Provide a welcoming and respectful climate in the school library.

● Collaborate with classroom teachers to design and implement lessons and assess student

learning.

● Maintain fair and consistent circulation and use policies.

● Document, report, and maintain records showing use of the Library materials.

● Provide access to balance updated collections to meet the needs of students and teachers.

● Provide orientation and instruction to staff and students regarding the use of the library’s

materials and equipment.

● Enrich reading by maintaining an awareness of students’ interests and by providing

guidance in the selection of appropriate materials.

● Have knowledge of school and state test results with respect to library and information

literacy skills.

● Implement the use of technology into the school library program.

● Participate in school curriculum planning.

● Provide professional development to faculty and staff on the use of new and emerging

technologies to enhance teaching and learning.

● Inform teachers of new services.

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● Develop and on-going advocacy program for the library.

● Maintain and automated catalog system.

● Provide instruction on ethical and safe use of technology.

Responsibilities of Student Library Helpers

Check in/out books to students

Shelve books

Straighten books

Tidy the library by dusting, wiping counters/tables, straightening pillows, furniture, and

pushing in chairs

Help students locate books

Distribute overdue notices

Assist with special events

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