File:  IJL - Library Materials Selection and Adoption

Materials for school libraries shall be recommended for purchase by the professional personnel of the libraries and approved by the superintendent or designee.  Library personnel shall consult with the administration, faculty, students and parents in selecting materials.

All library materials shall be selected in accordance with the principles pertaining to selection of all instructional materials.  Library materials shall support the district's educational objectives, including that all students meet or exceed district content standards.

Additionally, in maintaining and augmenting school library collections, persons responsible for selection of materials shall strive:

1.  To meet the needs of the individual school based on knowledge of the curriculum and the stated needs of administrators and teachers.

2.  To meet the needs of individual students, according to both the stated needs of students and general understanding of students' interest.

3.  To provide materials of high artistic, historic and literary quality.

4.  To provide a balanced collection, with a fair proportion of each type of material selected to meet the needs of the curriculum, the students and professional staff at all levels.

5.  To provide a wide range of materials with diversity of appeal and different points of view.

In order to maintain a current and highly usable collection of materials, library personnel shall provide for continuing renewal of the collection, not only by adding up-to-date materials but also by the judicious elimination of materials which no longer meet needs.

Gifts to the library may be accepted if they meet the criteria established for the selection of instructional materials.

All instructional resources and materials, including library materials, shall be available for inspection by parents and guardians.

Adopted:  August 1998

Revised:  February 2001

LEGAL REF.:  C.R.S. 22-32-110 (1)(r)

20 U.S.C. º1232h (protection of pupil rights)

CROSS REFS.:  IJ, Instructional Resources and Materials

KEC, Public Concerns/Complaints about Instructional Resources

NOTE 1:  Each school district should approve procedures to accompany this policy.

NOTE 2:  If a school district obtains library grant moneys pursuant to C.R.S. 24-90-402 et seq., the district must equip all school library computers with software and internet service that "filter" and limit the ability of minor students to gain access to materials that are obscene or illegal.  The district must also develop a policy that establishes and enforces measures to restrict minor students from obtaining computer information that is obscene or illegal.