Responsibility for Selection of Library Resources

Recommendations for library acquisitions shall be the primary responsibility of the librarian or Future Ready Designer, but may also involve administrators, teachers, other PISD district personnel as appropriate.

Criteria for the Selection of Library Resources

Selection is at the heart of the collection development process. Skill, knowledge, and the right tools are required to select appropriate library materials that meet the needs of your learning community.

Professional staff members involved in the selection of instructional resources shall ensure that materials

Support and enrich the curriculum and/or students’ personal interests and learning
Meet high standards in literary, artistic, and aesthetic quality; technical aspects; and physical format
Be appropriate for the subject area and for the age, emotional development, ability level, learning styles, and social, emotional, and intellectual development of the students for whom the materials are selected
Incorporate accurate and authentic factual content from authoritative sources
Earn at least 2 favorable reviews for at least one grade level on the campus in standard reviewing sources based on preview and examination of materials by professional personnel (Recommended Review Sources and Bibliographies: Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) Notable Children’s Books, Booklist, School Library Journal, Horn Book, Library Media Connection, We Need Diverse Books website, Bulletin of the Center for Children's,Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Best Books for Young Adults, Texas Library Association)
Represent differing viewpoints on controversial issues to support the inclusion of under-represented groups
Provide a global perspective and promote diversity by including materials by authors and illustrators of all cultures and backgrounds
Include a variety of resources in physical and virtual formats including print and non-print such as electronic and multimedia (including subscription databases, ebooks, and audiobooks)
Selected by the reputation and significance of the author, producer, and publisher
Demonstrate physical format, appearance, and durability suitable to their intended use
Balance cost with need

Procedures for the Selection of Library Resources

1.
All selections, including donations, should be compliant with Prosper ISD Collection Guidelines.
2.
All materials must meet standards of copyright and fair use.
3.
Librarians and Future Ready Designers are responsible for evaluating the collection and basing budgets and purchases on that ongoing evaluation.
4.
Individual materials should be purchased with the entire collection in mind.
5.
It is recognized that every book in the library will not be relevant for every student.
6.
Material selection should be guided by published, professional reviews and bibliographies.
7.
If a favorable review does not exist in one of the above journals, a book may be purchased at the librarian and Future Ready Designer’s professional discretion after thoughtfully weighing the factors listed below and clearing it with the Coordinator of Library Services. In all cases, the librarian or Future Ready Designer should err on the side of caution when considering any material for which no reviews exist in these journals.

Publisher’s reputation
Needs of the curriculum
Author’s reputation
Endorsement by professional association
The need for a balanced and diverse collection
Included on a State or National Recommended Reading List (Texas Library Association and/or American Library Association.

8. The following are not to be used in place of reviews. Although they may be consulted, purchases of these items must follow the same review procedures as other titles. In no case should a blanket purchase or selection of any of the following be made.

Catalogs, in whole or part
Lists or individual titles categorized by interest, reading, or levels (Lexile, Guided Reading, etc)
Bibliographies, suggested reading lists (including TLA or ALA lists), appendices, and the like
Vendor-generated lists
Advertisements
Free or donated books, including book fair selections
Recommendations or requests from individuals

9. Books not meeting the selection criteria outlined in this document do not follow district selection guidelines for inclusion and should not be purchased.

Prosper ISD

FAQ

What is the difference between a library book and an instructional resource?

How are library books chosen?

How are instructional resources chosen?

Can parents review instructional materials?

Who may challenge a book or instructional resource?

If I have a concern about a library book or an instructional resource, what is my first step?

Does a challenge have to undergo a formal reconsideration committee?

What is the process for a formal reconsideration of a library book or instructional resource?

Do all committee members read the challenged book or instructional resource?

Why does the Reconsideration Committee need to read the entire library book if we can identify inappropriate material on a particular page?

What happens to a book or instructional resource that is under reconsideration?

Why doesn't the district just remove a challenged book from the library collection?

What does the Reconsideration Committee consider when reviewing a challenged book and/or instructional resource?

Can the result of a formal challenge be appealed?