Addison Northwest Supervisory UnionSECTION: Instruction |
ADOPTED |
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ACS: __________
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FCS: __________
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CODE: G04 |
VUES: __________
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VUHS: 03/26/85
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POLICY: Library/Media Policy |
ANWSU: __________
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To provide a comprehensive
collection of instructional materials selected The Vergennes Union High
School Board of School Directors adopts the following policy to cover the
philosophy and procedures for operating and maintaining the school library. This policy includes the
following Library Bill of Rights: SCHOOL LIBRARY BILL OF RIGHTS FOR SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER PROGRAMS * Approved by American
Association of School Librarians Board of Directors, Atlantic City, 1969. The 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. To this end the American Association of
School Librarians asserts that the responsibility of the school library media
center is: 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, socio-economic 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 contribution to the American and
world heritage and culture, thereby enabling students to develop an
intellectual integrity in forming judgments. LIBRARY/MEDIA POLICY 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 teachers and students Rights and
responsibilities in a free society go hand in hand. The Board of School Directors
of Vergennes Union High School, in establishing a philosophy and policy
governing the administration of school library media centers, makes clear the
rights and responsibilities of those involved: RIGHTS BOARD OF SCHOOL DIRECTORS: To adopt policy and
procedure, consistent with statute and regulation --that they feel is in the
best interests of students, parents, teachers and community. PROFESSIONAL PERSONEL To select, in accordance
with board policy and guidelines, organize and administer the media
collection to best serve teachers and students. PARENTS: To determine with their
own children those materials appropriate for personal reading, viewing, etc. STUDENTS: To freely exercise the
right to read and to free access to library materials under the policy and
guidelines of the board RESPONSIBILITIES BOARD OF SCHOOL
DIRECTORS: To provide, at the
expense of the district, all textbooks, learning materials, equipment,
supplies (V.S.A. Title 16 §563 (14), and library materials. PROFESSIONAL PERSONNEL: To select, organize and
administer, per board policy and position description, a media collection
that will enrich and support the curriculum and provide a wide variety of
materials to meet the varied
interests, abilities and maturity levels of students, faculty and staff. PARENTS AND PROFESSIONAL
PERSONNEL: To guide their children
in the selection of learning materials and recreational reading that will
stimulate their growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic
values and ethical standards. STUDENTS: To choose from the
variety of materials available under the guidelines and policies of the
board. PROCEDURES FOR
MATERIALS SELECTION In selecting materials
for purchase, the media specialist: 1.
Reviews and evaluates the existing collection. 2.
Consults reputable, professionally prepared selection aides. 3.
Consults teachers and specialists from all grade levels. 4.
Consults students, parents and community members. 5.
Selects materials consistent with board policy and guidelines. CRITERIA FOR
MATERIALS SELECTION Needs of Vergennes High
School, based on knowledge of the curriculum and of the existing collection,
are given first consideration. Materials for purchase
are considered on the basis of: ¨
-Overall purpose ¨
-Timeliness or permanence ¨
-Importance of subject matter - Quality of writing ¨
-Readability and popular appeal ¨
-Authoritativeness ¨
-Reputation and significance of author, artist, composer, producer,
etc. ¨
-Consistency with board guidelines BOARD GUIDELINES FOR SELECTION AND USE OF LIBRARY MATERIALS The Vergennes Union High School Board of
Directors encourages the selection of materials that are consistent with the
School Library Bill of Rights, paragraphs 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 printed on Page 1
of this policy. 1.
Materials should: (paraphrased from School Library Bill of Rights) 2.
Be a comprehensive collection. 3.
Support curriculum. 4.
Meet individual needs including interests, abilities, socio-economic
background and maturity levels of students. 5.
Encourage growth in knowledge and develop literary, cultural aesthetic
appreciation and ethical standards. 6.
Reflect the ideas and beliefs of religious, social, political,
historical, and ethnic groups and their contribution to the American and
World heritage and culture. RESERVE SECTION IN LIBRARY A reserve shelf will be
maintained by the board. Materials on this shelf will be for any students 18
years of age and older those students in grades 7 through 12 who have written
permission from their parents to read reserve shelf material. The reserve
shelf will contain material that is considered by educators or the board to
be potentially harmful to immature students or simply not appropriate for
students of all ages. 1.
Materials may be placed on the shelf by: A.
The librarian, teachers or administrators based on their professional
judgment that the material is not appropriate for students of all ages.
(Differences of opinion between professional employees may be resolved
through the district grievance procedure.) B.
Action of the board following a hearing on a professional disagreement
or citizens request for reconsideration of a work. 2.
Books on the reserve shelf will be coded by number or color so that
parents can recognize books so designated. 3.
Each student in grades 7-12 will be given a library card and number. A
master card file will be kept by the librarian. This file will be coded by
color or number and. will note the students access to the library as being
limited or unlimited. Beginning September 4, 1979, only students with an
unlimited access card may sign out or use reserve shelf materials. If this
outlined procedure is abused, appropriate disciplinary action may be taken by
the administration and/or board. LIBRARY/MEDIA POLICY Censorship is a difficult
problem because we are governed, to some extent, by law and because people
have very different opinions about what is or is not appropriate. Your school library has a
wide selection of materials for all ages. It is not always possible for the
librarians to know that each student has selected a book, suitable for his or
her age level. Furthermore, your ideas of suitability may differ considerably
from someone else's. We do not wish to prevent your child from reading books
you might feel suitable for him/her, nor provide him/her with
books you feel are unsuitable. Since we cannot know your mind in this matter,
we must reserve to you the final responsibility for your son or daughter's
reading selections. If you object to a book
that your child has selected, you can simply ask her or him to return the
book and make another selection. If you feel that a particular book is not
appropriate for inclusion in the school library, you can complete a
"Citizen's Request for Reconsideration of a Work." The following procedure
shall be used: 1.
Parent will complete one copy of "Request for Reconsideration of
a Work", and direct it to the attention of the principal who, in turn,
will provide copies for the librarian and Superintendent's Office. The superintendent
will keep the Vergennes Union High School Board of Directors informed
regarding all "Requests". 2.
Librarian shall meet with parent, if necessary, to review complaint.
Librarian to complete "Resolution" for the board information. 3.
Unresolved issues shall be settled by a majority vote of the board or
its designees. The following form
("Citizens Request for Professional Reconsideration of a Work")
will be used if a citizen objects to a work that is in the Vergennes Union
High School library. CITIZENS REOUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF A WORK Author
___________________________________Hardcover _____ Title
____________________________________Paperback______ Publisher (if known) _______________________________________________________ Request initiated by _______________________________________________________ Telephone ___________________ Address ______________________ City _________________________ Zip Code _______________ Citizen Represents: _____Himself/Herself _____(Name of organization) ______________________________ _____(Identify other group) ________________________________ 1.
To what in the work do you object? Please be specific; cite pages: ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ 2. What of value is there in this work? __________________________________ __________________________________________________________________ 3.
What do you feel might be the result of reading this book? ___________________________________________________________ 4.
For what age group would you recommend this work? _____________________________________________________________ CITIZEN'S REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION OF A WORK 5. Did you read the entire work? ______ What pages or sections? __________ 6. What do you believe is the theme or purpose of
this work? _______________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________ 7. _____ Please check here if you feel this book
should be removed from the library. 8.
Other comments: _______________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________ |