Selection & Reconsideration Policy Critique

1. Selection & Reconsideration Policy Critique Collection Development LIBM 6360 Summer II Lynsey Moats

2. General Introduction • The policies I examined are used by an entire district. • This district has two separate policies concerning selection and reconsideration. • The selection policy is titled “Library Media Center Materials Selection.” • The reconsideration policy is titled “Public Complaints of Instructional Materials.” • Both documents were drafted in 1982 and revised in 2002.

3. Review of the Existing Selection Policy • Overall the selection policy was very thorough. • All of the following elements were present. • Philosophy • Selection Objectives • Responsibility Statement • Selection Criteria • Gifts • Procedure for Selection • There was no reference to the reconsideration policy.

4. Review of the Existing Selection Policy Cont’d • Philosophy Statement : “The school media center functions as a basic requirement for quality education. It implements and enriches all parts of the teaching and learning process. It reflects and supports the philosophy of the school and shares the school’s aims and objectives. It is the duty of the schools to provide a wide range of materials on all levels of difficulty, with diversity of appeal and presentation of different points of view.”

5. Review of the Existing Reconsideration Policy • This document was very thorough and complete in regards to procedures; however, there was no reference to foundational documents that address intellectual freedom. • In the case of challenged materials, the superintendent or his designee would appoint a Materials Re-Evaluation Committee. Members include: • One school board member • Two parents • One representative officer from City Council PTA • Two teachers from another school or department than the one directly involved • One principal from another school but on the same grade level • One LMS from another school but on the same grade level • One counselor from another school but on the same grade level

6. Review of the Existing Reconsideration Policy Cont’d • The Committee has 15 days to read/view/listen to the referred material, read reviews, form opinions, complete the designated reconsideration checklist, discuss the material, prepare a joint report which includes the final decision. • Any appeals should be made to the Board of Education by writing or phone call by the superintendent or his designee within ten school days of the committee’s decision. • Throughout this entire process, all materials remain on the shelf for normal use.

7. Outstanding IssuesCorrected in Policy Re-Write • “Library Media Center Materials Selection” • Corrected inconsistencies in page numbers • Added a selection objective pertaining to technology • Included community members in the selection process • Eliminated repetitiveness in selection criteria section • Added selection criteria specific to technology media • Added a statement that addressed the manner in which monetary gifts would be accepted • Included a text reference to the “Public Complaints of Instructional Materials” policy

8. Outstanding IssuesRevised in Policy Re-Write • “Public Complaints of Instructional Materials” • Corrected inconsistencies in page numbers • Organized appendices that were not in alpha-numeric order • Included a statement that displayed district support of the principles found in the First Amendment to the United States Constitution and ALA’s Freedom to Read Statement and provided the URL addresses of the documents • Deleted a note concerning how to select members for the Materials Re-Evaluation Committee for the districts “single site high school” because it is no longer relevant with the addition of a new high school • Added additional options of modern formats of materials to Appendix A, the “Patron’s Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials” form. • Eliminated repetitiveness

9. Reflection This assignment has proved to be very beneficial for me. From it, I have learned that as a future LMS it will be my responsibility to ensure that a appropriate policies are in place. In addition, as an LMS I must be fully knowledgeable of the policies and the procedures outlined within the policies. From this assignment it is clear that having well-planned selection and reconsideration policy will greatly assist me in the process of selecting appropriate materials for the LMC. Furthermore, while I do not look forward to dealing with future challenges to materials, I feel that this assignment has better prepared me to handle the situation with professionalism and confidence.