IIB - Library Materials
1. PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY
1.1The Board of Education values school libraries and supports their inclusion in District schools. School libraries supplement classroom instruction and encourage self-directed education and self-selected recreational reading. They support awareness of diverse viewpoints, ethnicities, and cultures beyond students’ immediate surroundings. The Board encourages development of a student body able to weigh competing views and make informed conclusions.
1.2The Board recognizes that students enjoy First Amendment rights of speech in school and that the school library offers a place and opportunity for students to remain free to exercise their intellectual freedom and right to read, inquire, study, and evaluate, outside of the school classroom. At the same time, the Board is sensitive to the reality that a school library is distinguishable from a public library because of its unique role in the instructional program as it primarily supports the equitable access to information and the education of minors. The school library is generally open during school hours, but does not serve the general public. The school library program functions as an integral part of the school’s mission in the transmission of public education and community values. In balancing these responsibilities, the Board respects Constitutional principles of law and recognizes the importance of community values in maintaining school library programs as part of the District’s educational system.
1.3This policy specifies the process and criteria for selection and maintenance of library materials to provide balanced, relevant, age-appropriate, and varied resources for students. The policy also outlines the process for reviewing materials under Utah Code Ann. §53G-10-103.
2. DEFINITIONS
2.1“Librarian” includes a media technician in an elementary school or a media specialist in a secondary school.
2.2“Library material” means any digital media (including audio or visual media) or physical text contained within a school library’s collection.
2.3“School library” means the location, both physical and virtual, where library materials are housed and administered by professional staff hired to oversee the selection, maintenance, and access to school library materials.
3. SELECTION OF LIBRARY MATERIALS
3.1The librarian selects library materials consistent with this policy. In doing so, the librarian will work with and consider recommendations from parents, students, teachers, and administrators. The librarian considers the following criteria in selecting library materials, including gifts and donations:
3.1.1Overall purpose and educational significance;
3.1.2Contribution and relevance to core standards;
3.1.3Teacher, parent, and student requests;
3.1.4Potential interest and appeal to students;
3.1.5Factual content that is accurate and reliable;
3.1.6Age-appropriateness for students;
3.1.7Timeliness and/or permanence;
3.1.8Contribution to the library’s inclusion of multiple diverse viewpoints and experiences, respectful treatment of opposing views, and an overall balanced perspective;
3.1.9Readability and accessibility for intended audience;
3.1.10Artistic quality and literary style;
3.1.11Reputation and significance of author, producer, and/or publisher;
3.1.12Variety of format with efforts to incorporate emerging technologies;
3.1.13Compliance with copyright laws and licensing agreements;
3.1.14Compliance with Nebo School District policies, including Policy IGAI, Health Instruction and Sex Education; and
3.1.15Quality and value that is commensurate with cost and/or need.
3.2Electronic databases and other web-based searches and content will be filtered through the district’s internet filter.
4. MAINTENANCE, DESELECTION, AND WEEDING
4.1Deselection and weeding are essential processes to maintain an appropriate, relevant, up-to-date library collection. Librarians are responsible for maintaining the collection and determining if library materials should be removed or replaced based on the deselection or weeding criteria below.
4.2Library materials will be maintained consistent with the criteria listed in subsection 3.1 and any applicable state or federal laws, including Utah Code Ann. § 53G-10-103.
4.3The school librarian will inventory the school library collection and equipment regularly.
4.3.1The inventory may be used to determine losses and remove damaged or worn materials to be considered for replacement. Library materials must be disposed of consistent with District policies.
4.3.2The inventory may also be used to deselect and remove materials that are inconsistent with the selection criteria or that are no longer relevant to the curriculum or of interest to students.
4.3.3The inventory may be used to identify gaps or deficits in the library’s collection.
4.4Criteria for deselection or weeding of library materials may include:
4.4.1failure to satisfy the selection criteria;
4.4.2poor physical condition;
4.4.3outdated or inaccurate content;
4.4.4lack of age appropriateness;
4.4.5lack of use
5. REQUEST FOR REVIEW OF LIBRARY MATERIALS
5.1Request
5.1.1A request for review alleging that a library material constitutes sensitive material under Utah Code Ann. § 53G-10-103 is governed by Nebo School District Policy II, Sensitive Instructional Materials and must be made according to procedures outlined in that policy.
5.1.2Except as provided in paragraph 5.1.1, upon request and consistent with this section, a library material may be reviewed by a school committee and considered for removal. A request for review of a library material under this paragraph may only be made by the following:
5.1.2.1a parent of a student who attends the school where the material is accessible;
5.1.2.2a student who attends the school; or
5.1.2.3an employee assigned to the school.
5.1.3The District may limit the number of requests an individual may make in the course of a school year.
5.1.4A request for review may be based upon a claim that the library material does not meet the selection criteria outlined in subsection 3.1 for the age of students to whom it is accessible.
5.1.5A request for review must be made using a form provided by the district, and the requester must deliver the form to the school principal. The requester must provide all information requested on the form, including the requester’s complaint or objection to the library material.
5.2School-Level Committee
5.2.1Upon receipt of a request for review, the principal will acknowledge the request, notify the associate superintendent over curriculum, and convene a school-level review committee within a reasonable time according to the procedure outlined below:
5.2.1.1The principal selects committee members and oversees the review. The principal may, but is not required to, read the materials and vote with the committee. However, the principal or a designated administrator does facilitate the review.
5.2.1.2The committee may include members from both elementary and secondary schools and must include the following:
5.2.1.2.1two certified employees (teachers, counselors, school psychologists, school social workers, teachers on special assignment, etc.);
5.2.1.2.2a librarian from the school; and
5.2.1.2.3three parents of current students, including parents reflective of the school community.
5.2.1.3The names and identities of committee members are confidential and shall not appear on any committee report. Names of committee members are classified as private under the Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA).
5.2.2The committee will determine the amount of time needed for an adequate review of a material. The principal or other designated administrator will inform the requester of the estimated timeline.
5.2.3Members of the committee will receive materials to complete the review process, including the following:
5.2.3.1access to the complete work;
5.2.3.2a copy of the request;
5.2.3.3access to this policy
5.2.4The committee will evaluate the work as a whole to determine whether it satisfies the criteria listed in subsection 5.2.5.2.
5.2.5Analysis
5.2.5.1Committee members read, watch, or listen to the work as a whole and evaluate the non-sexual content to determine whether the work was selected contrary to the selection criteria found in subsection 3.1 and should therefore be deselected. The committee also evaluates whether the work should be weeded based on the criteria listed in subsection 4.4.
5.2.5.2The committee considers the following factors. Each individual factor is not necessarily determinative in and of itself, but all should be considered together.
5.2.5.2.1Whether the work complies with applicable copyright laws and licensing agreements;
5.2.5.2.2Whether the content is defamatory or spreads disinformation;
5.2.5.2.3Whether the work’s factual content is accurate and reliable and does not spread misinformation;
5.2.5.2.4The extent to which the book contains profane and vulgar language; and
5.2.5.2.5Whether the content promotes illegal activities for minors.
5.2.5.3The recommendation of the Review Committee will be determined by majority vote. If no majority emerges, the split vote will be indicated on the form. Committee members who disagree with the committee recommendation may include their individual recommendations on the form.
5.2.5.4The principal will review all recommendations from the committee and its members and submit them to the Associate Superintendent of Curriculum, along with the principal’s statement for or against the committee’s recommendation.
5.3A request for review may be denied if the material has already been reviewed and a decision issued within the past three years from the date of the request.
6. PARENT ACCESS
6.1Consistent with Utah Code Ann. § 53G-4-402, school libraries will provide an online platform through which a parent is able to view information about materials the parent’s child borrows, including the following:
6.1.1Title,
6.1.2Author,
6.1.3Description, and
6.1.4A history of borrowed materials.