Service Parameters

Mission Statement

Library Media Center Program

Library/Teacher Collaboration

Collection Policy

General Guidelines for Selection

Individual Formats

Responsibility for Collection Development

Resource Sharing

Gift Sharing

Fund Allocation

Selection Tools

Vendors

Methodology for Collection Evaluation

Weeding and Deselection

Preservation

Censorship

Intellectual Freedom

Acceptable Use Policy

Copyright

Glossary

James Solomon Russell Junior High School (RJHS) is located in Southside Virginia in Lawrenceville, the county seat of Brunswick County. RJHS serves a student body of approximately 600 students in grades 7-9 and is the only Junior High School in the Brunswick County Public School System. There are approximately fifty teachers and ten paraprofessional staff members.

The mission of the RJHS library media center program is to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information. Further, we:

• believe that every student can learn.
• deliver effective information skills instruction through librarian/teacher collaboration.
• support the aims and objectives of the curriculum.
• support reading and reading development.
• integrate technology into the curriculum.
• inform students, staff, parents, and the community of the library's programs.

The library media program is a center of instruction and inter-disciplinary curriculum support for RJHS. The program will:

• ensure fair and equitable access.
• promote flexible scheduling.
• develop lessons and collections in cooperation with other faculty members.
• meet a variety of learning needs.
• present diverse points of view.
• promote intellectual freedom.
• demonstrate optimal professional standards.
• participate in professional development and training.

In order to meet student and teacher needs, the library media program will collaborate regularly with all teachers on media center based lessons and activities. The media center will aim to collect materials and reosurces to support collaboration. The purpose is to:

• teach information literacy skills.
• integrate technology into lessons.
• promote thematic, real world, and critical thinking activities.
• promtoe excellence in the use of the media center.

The core collection consists of a range of age and development appropriate fiction and non-fiction information resources. The core collection should reflect both truth and art and:

• present different points of view to promote critical thinking.
• meet the needs of different learning styles.
• support the Virginia Standards of Learning.
• display quality in content and appearance.
• replace lost or missing items or add to an established series or favorite author.
• exhibit interesting, challenging, and current titles.

Materials selected for inclusion into the RJHS library's collection should reflect the mission statement and:

• be accurate, current, and authoritative.
• be of authentic quality.
• be age appropriate and reading level appropriate.
• reflect a diverse culture free of stereotypes.
• provide different points of view.
• be of optimal educational value.
• be attractive and functional.
• meet the needs of different learning styles.
• be in alignment with curriculum needs and standards.
• encourage life-long love of reading and learning.
• cover a range of formats with an emphasis on print.
• support school-wide reading programs and reading development.
• include high interest, low level reading material.
• provide resources to support instruction.
• further the professional development of the staff.

All formats must conform to the aforementioned selection guidelines. In addition, the following attributes are desirable. The Librarian should make full use of selection tools.

Books:

• two reviews from approved selection aid.
• support reading programs and a range of reading levels.
• reflect recommended reading lists.
• be attractive, of lasting quality, and unabridged.
• illustrations should be clear and convey meaning.
• have concise, readable indexes.

Newspapers:

• local newspapers should be available for perusal.
• at least one national and international newspaper should be available through any medium.
• reflect an unbiased account of the news and editorials should be clearly identified as such.

Periodicals:

• magazines should encourage leisure reading.
• there should be at least four highly informative publications on subscription in hard copy.
• other periodicals should be available via an electronic database for reserach.
• should be age-appropriate and have a recommendation from an authoritative source.
• inter-disciplinary titles with widest appeal are most desirable.

Comic books and graphic novels:

• provide age-appropriate palatable reading material.
• encourage reluctant readers.
• promote leisure reading.
• present excellence in illustration and story.
• refrain from gratuitous accounts of violence and inappropriate behavior.

Microform:

• should be authoritative and complete.
• should be clear and readable.
• should satisfy the need for archived material where no other medium can suffice.
• microform will be added if appropriate to need and budget availability.

Slides:

• should be of optimal photographic quality.
• contrast and sharpness of the image and its color or grey-scale should provide a clear, easily projected image.

Films & Videos:

• should reflect nonstereotyped and multicultural points of view.
• should be in alignment with the curriculum.
• picture quality should enhance meaning.
• color, sharpness and contrast of images must create a quality visual image.
• editing should be smooth where appropriate and enhance the overall intenet of the directory without overshadowing meaning.
• audio quality should be crisp and clean and clearly audible.
• use of background music and sound should not hijack the overall content.
• sub-titles or dubbing should enhance meaning.
• should have a teacher's guide and/or classroom activities.

Pictures:

• should be complete and tidy.
• should meet high standards of pictorial quality and demonstrate intellectual and educational value.

Audio:

• works of classical, artistic, and historical music are desirable.
• should have optimal audio clarity demonstrative of ovreall artistic merit.
• audio books should be of sound literary value.
• audio books should conform to the standards for print books.

Online:

• Internet is a source of information subject to the same general selection guidelines.
• filtering will be challenged when erroneously deselecting quality Web sites.
• sites of particular educational interest and of lasting appeal will be added to the collection.

Musical scores:

• reflect the needs of the music curriculum specifically.
• should be durable and easy to read.
• be developmentally challenging or historically interesting.

Pamphlets:

• be authoritative and reflect current trends and information.
• cover a range of relevant topics.

Manuscripts and archival material:

• be of good quality, and able to withstand a hands-on environment.

Maps:

• should be legible and stand up to regular use.
• should cover a range of geographical and historical purposes.

Government documents:

• selected from recognized sources.
• should fit easily into the curriculum-enriched collection.

CD-ROM and laser disks:

• easy to operate.
• paossess indexing utilities that enable the user to access a particular point of interest.
• have good multimedia aspects that enhance meaning.
• present information in a clear and understandable format that provides instruction.
• should include a teacher's guide.
• have bibilographic links to further study.

Realia:

• should stand up to handling.
• be functional and durale and reflect an educational purpose.

Games/toys

• have high educational value.
• should be complete and durable.
• should instruct and encourage group work.
• toys should be easy to clean and maintain.
• toys should be bright, interesting, and present a challenge.

Software, databases, and electronic resources:

• should be utilitarian in nature.
• contain features like help files, indexing, and searching facilities.
• be interactive and functional.
• should conform to copyright or licensing requirements.
• have a teacher's or user's guide.
• have an 800 number technical support facility.

• The Brunswick County School Board has the ultimate say on what is appropriate for the library's collection.
• The school principal will carry out the guidelines for learning resources in the school.
• It is expected that the school library media specialist will use professional judgment and expertise to select material appropriate in level and scope.
• A consideration file is available to take suggestions from students, parents, and staff.

RJHS Library Media Center may wish to make full use of resource sharing iwth other agencies. This can be achieved through interlibrary loan facilities so long as the individual resources mee the guidelines of the selection policy.

Agencies include other libraries in the Brunswick County Public School system, Meherrin Regional Library, Southside Virginia Library Network including Longwood College.

All gifts will be subject ot the same selection process as purchased materials. A donation form is provided for the processing of gifts. While gifts are gratefully accepted, items deemed inappropriate will be respectfully declined or deselected.

Format	Percent of budget
Fiction books	30%
Non-fiction books	30%
Serials	10%
CD-ROMs and laser disks	10%
Software and databases	10%
Films and video	3%
Audio	2%
Other formats	5%

The following selection tools may be used to make informed judgments about collection development.

Reviews: School Library Journal, Booklist, Horn Book, Library Journal, The Book Report, NCTM, NCSS, NSTA, NCTE, Media & Methods, International Society for Technology in Education.

Guides: Best Books for Young Adult Readers, Best Books for Junior High, Young Adult Reader's Adviser, Books in Print, Reading in Series, Guide to Multicultural Resources, Books by African-American Authors and Illustrators for Children and Young Adults, Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators, Magazines for Young People, Magazines for Kids & Teens!

Reading Lists: Accelerated Reader, Virginia Young Reader, Library of Virginia Children's Bibliography, NCTE.

Awards: Newbery, Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, ALA Best Books for Young Adults, Kate Greenaway Medal, Notable Children's Trade Books, Smarties Prize.

Curriculum alignment: Virginia SOLs, IEPs, teacher-created curriculum maps.

Testimonials: recommendations from well-known authors, educators, professionals, parents, students, etc.

The following list comprises a list of regularly used vendors. Other vendors exist, and at time it may be more expedient to use other sources.

Collection evaluation is an ongoing process. Note the following before beginning an evaluation:

• Purpose of the evaluation.
• Individual objectives.
• Evaluation tool should match need.
• Evaluate the collection often.
• Compile results neatly and legibly and retain for future reference.
  Several tools exist for evaluation. No one tool fits all. Favorites include CREW, and Collection Mapping.
  Weeding and Deselection

  Deselection of materials is a nautral part of the library's life cycle. Materials ripe for deselection are those that:

  • no longer meet curriculum needs.
  • are beyond reasonable repair.
  • are inaccurate or inappropriate.
  • are obsolete.
  • are unused or unnecessary volumes or sets.

  Decision process for deselection includes:

  • collection analysis
  • valuation of the title's worthiness
  • historical importance
  • availability of more appropriate or accurate material on the same subject
  • use of volume
  • physical condition
  • curriculum worthiness.
  Deselected books may be offered to other teachers, libraries, groups, individuals, or for sale to benefit the library funds. Deselected books should be clearly marked as discarded or withdrawn.
  Preservation of the Collection

  Reasonable care should be taken to ensure optimal environmental conditions for materials.

  • Store away from direct heat and light.
  • Shelve comfortably in an upright position where possible.
  • Store in a climate-controlled environment when possible, routinely avoiding extremes.
  • Handle with respect and care.
  Repair and Replacement
  Print:
  Where possible, repair may be carried out in the media center. Good quality vinyl non-acidic tape and library glue may be used with expert care and attention. Paper dust jackets should be laminated and attached firmly to the book to prevent damage.

  Non-print:
  Equipment should be cleaned and maintained regularly to prevent damage to materials. A damaged resource may be repaired if this is deemed possible to bring it back to selection quality.

  Censorship and legal issues

  RJHS library carries out the policy of the Brunswick County Public School Board with regard to censorship, intellectual freedom and copyright.

  Intellectual Freedom

  In accordance with the US Constitution and the policy of the Brunswick County School Board, the Library Media Center supports Intellectual Freedom. The library has adopted the American Association of School Librarian's interpretation of the American Library Association's Bill of Rights. In selection of resources and access to information, the library strives to:

  • Allow access to information from diverse points of view.
  • Present materials that are unbiased.
  • Select materials according to collection development policy.
  • uphold the First Amendment rights of all citizens.
  Acceptable Use of the Internet

  The Internet is a wealthy source of reference information and is an acceptable method of electronic transfer of information as required by state educational guidelines. Students and staff must take care to use the Internet with the highest level of responsibility conforming to the Acceptable Use guidelines posted in the media center and available in the student handbook.

  Copyright

  It is the intention of the library to adhere to the copyright laws. In order to prevent infractions of the US Code, the following guidelines have been developed:

  • School employees must conform to the Copyright Act of 1976, Title 17 of the US Code.
  • School employees must also conform to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, 1998.
  • Illegal copies may not be made or used on school equipment.
  • The school principal is responsible for establishing policies that enforce this policy.
  • Brunswick County School Board is responsible for enforcing and upholding copyright laws and policies.
  Glossary

  Key terms used in the policy

  Acceptable Use: Identified practices that constitute acceptable procedures for using the computer in school.

  Collaboration: The process whereby the library media specialist works with teachers in the school to co-plan, co-teach, and co-evaluate media center based lessons.

  Curriculum map: Teacher created outine of the work to be undertaken by students during a grading period.

  Flexible scheduling: The process of scheduling access to the library media center by classes on an at-need basis to allwo for free and ready access to resources for individual study and research.

  Information Literacy Standards: A set of standards adopted by the American Association of School Librarians and the Association of Educational Communications and Technology to ensure students are information literate.

  Selection tool: Any number of aids to assist a librarian in choosing materials and resources.

  Virginia SOLs: Virginia Standards of Learning are the curriculum objectives specified by the state of Virginia that students must achieve to be considered fully competent in individual subjects.

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