Bpss - Guidelines For Library Programs 2018

 

Bossier Parish School System 

Guidelines for Library Programs  Revised 2018   

 

Philosophy & Goals  The Bossier Parish School System and members of the community believe that each child is  an  individual  of  great  worth  and is entitled to develop to his/her fullest potential. Achieving  respect  for  self,  for  others,  and  for  the  values  inherent  in  a  democracy  is  an  essential  ingredient  in the development of the individual. Enthusiasm for life, good health, and a love  of  learning  should  be  fostered  in  a  safe,  secure,  stimulating  environment.  The  Bossier  Parish School Board and the community share the responsibility for ensuring:  1. that  each  student  receives  a  high  quality  education  in  order  to  progress  academically and achieve workforce skills.  2. that  each  student  has  access  to  technology  to  acquire  and  share  information  in  an  ethical manner 

 

 

 

  3. that  each  student  is  exposed to experiences that will encourage the development of  responsibility  and  respect  to  foster  his  or  her  citizenship  at  home,  in  school,  and  in  the community.  4. that  opportunities  for  cooperation  and  teamwork  among  educators,  parents,  community  members,  and  students  emerge  in  order  to  meet  the  school  system’s  goals and objectives. 

II. Mission Statement of the School Libraries of the  Bossier Parish School System  The  mission  of  the  Bossier  Parish  School  System  is  to  be  committed  to  high  achievement  for  ​all​.  ​The  school  district  libraries  function  as  an  integral  part  of  the  total  education  program  for  ​all​. 

They  are  designed  to  implement,  enrich,  and  support  the  school 

curriculum,  while  addressing  the  needs  and  interests  of  ​all  students.  ​"I​ nspiration. 

Imagination. Innovation."  

III. Description of the Community  With  more  than  23,500  students  attending  Bossier  Schools,  our  strength  is  our  neighborhood  schools.   Major  employers  include  Barksdale  Air  Force  Base and the Bossier  Parish  School  Board.  Barksdale  Air  Force  Base  is  growing  its  military  presence,  which  has  correspondingly  increased  the  number of defense contracts. Bossier Parish boasts a strong  education  system  with  20  elementary  schools,  six  middle  schools  and  six  high  schools  serving  more  than  21,600  students.  Bossier schools are recognized throughout the state as  superior in academics and athletics.   

IV. Objectives of the Library (National School Library  Standards-AASL 2017 & LA Library Guidelines-2017)  1. To  build  new  knowledge  by  inquiring,  thinking  critically,  identifying  problems,  and  developing strategies for solving problems. 

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  2. To  demonstrate  an  understanding  of  and  commitment to inclusiveness and respect  for diversity in the learning community.  3. To  work  effectively  with  others  to  broaden  perspectives  and  work  toward  common  goals.  4. To  make  meaning  for  oneself  and  others  by  collecting,  organizing,  and  sharing  resources of personal relevance.  5. To  discover  and  innovate  in  a  growth  mindset  developed  through  experience  and  reflection.  6. To  demonstrate  safe,  legal,  and  ethical  creating  and  sharing  of knowledge products  independently  while  engaging  in  a  community  of  practice  and  an  interconnected  world. 

AASL National Standards  1. The  library  program  provides  flexible  and  equitable  access  to  resources  to  the  school learning community.   2. The  library  is  open  during  school  hours.  *Time  is  allocated  for  professional  and  technical  duties  (minimum  of  10  hours  per  week,  with  time  blocks  of  at  least  2  hours), with volunteer help, if available, to assist in keeping the library open.  3.

The library is open during extended hours and extended year as funding permits.  

4.

The school librarian ensures flexible and regular access to the library.  

5.

The school librarian’s duty assignment must be in the library in order to provide  open access before school, during lunch, and after school.   

LA Library Standards 

V. Philosophy of Collection Development  School  library  materials  selection  should  focus  on  selecting  resources  that  meet  high  standards  of  excellence  in  content, scope, authority, and/or literary value and making them  available  to  patrons  through  a  variety  of  access  points  that  utilize  diverse  formats  and  various  technologies  suited  to  the educational environment. Additionally, the school library  collection should:   • Provide all members of the learning community participation in the selection process.  

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• Follow the school library collection guidelines.    • Be current and systematically evaluated on a regular basis to discard outdated, worn, and  inappropriate materials based on local and state policies and professional standards.    •  Engage  students  in  reading/listening  to  or  viewing  various  resources  in  multiple  genres  that appeal to students’ age, gender, ethnicity, etc.   • Provide students and teachers opportunities for inquiry, research, and reading.    •  Be  broadly  inclusive  and  provide  information  and  intellectual  enrichment  for  all  library  users.  This  means the school library collection should not exclude resources because of the  race,  nationality,  or  the  social,  political,  or  religious  views  of  the  author  and  reflect  diverse  points  of  view  regarding  current  issues,  portraying  themes  of  universal  and  timeless  interest, and accurately representing persons with physical differences and various cultures  and lifestyles. 

VI. School library collection guidelines  The  guidelines  below  are  for  three  levels  of  collections:  Grades  K-5,  6-8,  and  9-12.  School  librarians  should  use  these  guidelines  and  information  about  aligning  materials  to  the  school  curricula  to  evaluate  the  quality  of  their  collection.  Based on that evaluation, school  librarians should develop goals for improving the quality of their school library collection.  In  general  a  minimum of 10 books per pupil (multiple copies should not be counted toward  fulfillment  of  this  requirement)  is  recommended  to  create  a balanced collection of current,  relevant, and useful books.  Additionally, the collection should include:   •  Access  to  a  variety  of  the  best  and  most  current  non-fiction  and  reference  resources  including  digital  resources  that  support  the  school  curricula  and  a  range  of  student  interests.   •  Access  to  fiction  that  meets  the  varied  and  diverse  needs  of  the  student population (e.g.,  resources  in  multiple  languages  to  support  English  language  learners)  and  represents  the 

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best  of  classic  and  current  children’s  and  young  adult  literature,  as  appropriate,  and  a  range of interests and reading levels.   • Current subscriptions to age- and curriculum-appropriate digital resources.   Additional resources: ​LA Librarian Guidebook  

VII. Responsibility for selection of materials  A.   The  Bossier  School  Board  is  legally  responsible  for  the  selection  of  the  materials  used within the schools of the district.  B. This  responsibility  is  delegated  to  the  superintendent  who  delegates  the actual and  final  responsibility  for  selection  and  recommendation  to  the  professionally  trained  library personnel within the school system. 

IX. School Library Materials Selection  The  materials  selection  policy  should  be established at the district level and consistent with  state  guidelines  (state  minimum  requirements  for  school  library  programs  are  located  in  section 1705 of B ​ ulletin 741: Louisiana Handbook for School Administrators  The  local  board  of  education  is  legally  responsible  for  all  matters  relating  to  the  operation  of  its  libraries  and  for  adopting  a  written  selection  policy,  which  includes  a  materials  reconsideration  procedure. 

Additionally,  national  guidelines  and  publications  from  the 

American  Association  of  School  Librarians  provide  additional  support  in  the  development  of policy statements.    The selection guidelines should include the following sections:  1. Philosophy and broad goals of library collections based on local context   2. Responsibility for selection of materials   3. Selection principles, objectives, and criteria for materials   4. Selection of sensitive materials   5. Guidelines in regard to gifts and donations  

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6. Tools used in selection   7. Procedures for handling questions or complaints   8. A form for use by citizens to request reconsideration of materials  A. Library and Books  1. This  category  includes  fiction  and  nonfiction  books  appropriate  for  the  needs  and  interests of students and faculty.  2. Evaluate  the  existing  collection  based  on  professional  expertise  and  input  from  students and faculty.  3. Purchase books according to Criteria for Selection. (IX).  4. Reputable  selection  aids  should  be  consulted  in  addition  to  or  in  lieu  of  examination.  5. Recommendations  for  purchases  can  be  submitted  by  students, school staff, parish  personnel, and community citizens.  6. Funding sources: Federal, State, Parish, and School  7. Upon receipt of bid and non-bid book orders, books should be examined for binding  quality,  printing  errors,  and  judged  according  to  criteria  standards  before  shelf-processing  begins. 

If  a  problem  exists,  it  should  be  forwarded  to  the 

Supervisor of Instructional Services.    B. Periodical and Online Databases  1. This  category  includes  professional  magazines  in  general  and  specialized  fields  of  education  and  library  science  as  well  as  educational  and  informational  magazines  for students.  2. Evaluate  the  existing  collection  by encouraging the staff and students to periodically  review  the  quality  of  the  product  and  value  of  the  information  presented  as  it  relates to the school curriculum.  3. Purchase  periodicals  according  to  criteria  for  selection  with  the  intent  that  they  provide the most current information in curricular fields.  4. Bulletin  1134  in  the  ​Standards  and  Guidelines  for  Library  Media  Programs  in  Louisiana  Schools  ​will  serve  as  a  guideline  in determining the number of magazines 

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  and newspapers needed in each school.  The Supervisor of Instructional Services will  inform  each  library  of  the  allotted  number  of  periodicals  to  be  purchased.  Middle  and high schools must meet Southern Association Standards.  5. A  selection  aid  such  as  ​Periodicals  for  School  Media  Programs  ​by  Selma  K.  Richardson can be consulted for a variety of titles appropriate for school libraries.  6. Recommendations for purchase can involve students and school staff.  7. A  record  of  periodicals  as  they  are  received  should  be  maintained.  Because  these  periodicals  are  ordered  through  a  jobber,  if  there  are  problems  with  any  subscription, the Supervisor of Instructional Services should be notified.  8. Back  issues  of  periodicals  should be kept for at least five years to aid in research.  In  the  elementary  grades,  older  periodicals  that  are  not  used  for  research  can  be  loaned to teachers for use in classroom reading centers.  9. Online  reference  databases  will  be  made  available  district  wide  as  funds  permit.  Each librarian should provide instruction in appropriate usage to every student. 

C. Audio-Visual Materials  1. This category includes all non-print materials.   2. Evaluate  the  existing  collection  based  upon  professional  expertise  and  input  from  students and faculty.  3. Purchase  materials  according  to  Criteria  for  Selection  (IX)  while  considering  compatibility with the existing collection and hardware.  4. Examination of audio-visual materials before purchase is preferable.   5. Materials ordered on a preview basis  6. Current review tools available from online vendors  7. Recommendations  for  purchase  from  students,  school  staff,  and  parish  personnel  should be elicited.  8. Funding  is  normally  supplied  through  federal  and  parish  funds.  Additional  monies  from individual school funds can be applied toward purchases as well.  9. Upon  receipt  of  orders,  items  should  be  carefully  examined  for  workmanship  quality,  mechanical  errors,  and  judged  according  to  criteria  standards  before  cataloguing  and  processing  begin.  If a problem exists, it should be forwarded to the  Supervisor of Instructional Services. 

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  10. Audio-visual  materials  are  seen  as  valuable  tools  to  assist  teachers  in  achieving  goals  set  forth  in  the  curriculum. 

Their  use  can  give  additional  depth  and 

understanding  to  the  regular  instructional  and  guidance  programs. 

Specific 

guidelines shall be as follows:  a.

All audio-visual materials must be previewed by the teacher.   

b. The  purpose  for  viewing  must  be explained to the students.  The teacher must raise  questions  or  plan  an  activity  that  will  have students watching for a specific purpose.  A follow-up activity must be used to check students’ understanding.  E. Newspapers  1.   This  category  includes  local,  national,  and  specialized  newspapers  purchased  on  a  limited basis.  2. Procedures for periodicals are applicable in this category.  3. Due  to  a  lack  of  space,  secondary  schools  may  provide  access  to  back  issues  through online databases.  F. Textbooks  1.

This category includes textbooks in all subject areas for grades K-12. 

2. Books  shall  be  adopted  according to the State Department of Education’s Policy and  Procedure Manual (Bulletin 1794.)  3. Textbooks shall be adopted according to the Criteria for Selection (IX).  4. Local  adoptions  shall  be  administered  by  the  Supervisor  of  Instructional  Services  and shall involve school staff and supervisors.  Procedures have  been established in  Bulletin 1794 to include community citizens in a state level adoptions. 

XI. Procedures for Special Functions  A. Gifts  1. Materials  given to the schools as gifts are accepted with the understanding that they  will  be  evaluated  on the criteria of selection previously outlined and will be added to  the collection if they meet those standards.  2. Disposal of rejected materials is left to the discretion of the school librarian.  3. Recognition or acknowledgement for the gift(s) is extended to the donor. 

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  4. Although  not  formally  connected  to  the  Bossier  Public  Library  system,  the  school  library benefits from a cooperative climate between the two systems.  B. Replacement of Materials  1. Worn  or  missing  items  which  are  considered  essential  to  the  collection  will  be  replaced  when  funds  are  available.  Patrons  who  damage  or  lose  materials  will  be  charged the replacement cost of the item.  C. Weeding  1. The  ongoing process of selection includes the removal of out-dated or inappropriate  materials known as “weeding.”    2. This  process  may  result  in  relocating  materials  to  another  area  or  discarding  materials altogether.  a. Relocating  materials  to  a  storage  area  may  be  valuable  if  they  are  important  for  research purposes or if they are part of a collection in use on the library shelves.  b. Materials  should  be  discarded when the information has become out-dated or been  presented in a newer edition, or when its lack of circulation renders it ineffectual.  c. Discarded  items  should  have  all  references  to  the  school’s  ownership  removed and  may  be  given  away  to  locations  that  the  librarian  views  as  acceptable  (nursing  homes, tutoring programs, etc.) 

3.  Items  should  not  be  weeded  frivolously.  Knowledgeable  school  and  parish  personnel  should  be  consulted  in  conjunction  with  this  activity  and  as  to  the  disposition  of  the  discarded items.  E. Compliance with Copyright Laws  1. The  school  system  shall  take  the  necessary  steps  to  ensure  that  copyrighted  materials  are  protected.  In  order  to  ensure  copyright  protection,  all  material,  whether  graphic,  audio,  visual  or  computer  software  must  clearly  indicate  that  it  is  under  the  copyright  protection  covered  by  this  policy.  Employees  shall  not  violate  copyright regulations.  Copyrighted materials, whether they are printed or non-print,  shall  not  be  duplicated  unless  such  duplication  meets  the  “fair  use”  standards  or  unless  written permission has been received by the copyright holder.  A reference to 

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  the  Board’s  policy  and  procedures  shall  be  posted  or  otherwise  made  easily  accessible  at  each  copying/duplicating machine.  The Board does not sanction illegal  duplication  in  any  form.  Employees  who  willfully  disregard  the  Board’s  policy  and  any  procedures  governing  the  same  shall  not  assume  responsibility for the defense  or  indemnification  of  any  staff  member  charged  with  a  violation  of  the  copyright  law.  2. Computer Software Guidelines  a. For  computers  with  hard  disks  not  networked  to  other  computers,  copying  of  the  entire  program  for  which  a  license  has been purchased from the original disk to the  hard disk for use with the computer is permissible.  I.  A  program  is  not  copied  onto  the  hard  disk  of  more  than  one  computer.  If  the  program has been previously copied, it must be removed from that computer.  B.  The  booting  of  a  program  requires  that  the  program  in  question  be  “memory  resident  capable  of  being  loaded  into  the  random  access  memory  (RAM)  of  the  computer.  The  disk  containing  the  program  can  then  be  removed  from  that  computer  and  transferred  to  another  computer.  The  booting  process  can  then  be  endlessly repeated.  I.  Assuming  that  the  RAM  is  a  medium  as  used  in  the  copyright  notice,  each  time  a  program  is  booted  into  a  second  computer,  the  copyright  law  has  been  violated.  Unless  specific  permission  is  given  or  purchased,  or  the  program  is  labeled  as  a  “Multi-load Program,” it is illegal to boot RAM.  C.  For  networked  computers,  a  copy  of  programs  are  stored  on  a  network  file  server  and  programs  are  then  available  to  any  computer  on the network.  Although  not  yet  tested  in  court,  it  appears  to  be  a  violation  of  copyright  unless  rights  for  a  number of simultaneous users have been purchased. 

3. Music Guidelines  a.

Permissible uses - Copies of music 

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School  music  departments  may  make  copies  of  music  in  emergencies  when  purchased  music  is  not  available  for  a  performance  provided  purchased  replacement copies are substituted as soon as possible. 

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  ●

For  academic  purposes  other  than  performance,  multiple  copies  of  excerpts  of  works  may  be  made,  provided  that  the  excerpts  do  not  comprise  a  “performable  unit”  (i.e.,  section,  movement,  aria)  of  work  or  more  than  ten  (10)  percent  of  the  whole work. The permissible number of copies is limited to one (1) per student. 

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A  single  copy  of  an  entire  performable  unit that is out of print or unavailable except  in  a  larger  work  may  be  made  by  a  teacher  solely  for  the  purpose  of  scholarly  research or preparation to teach a class. 

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Printed  copies  of  purchase  music  may  be  edited  or  simplified,  provided  that  the  fundamental  character  of  the  work  is  not  distorted,  or  the  lyrics  (if  any)  altered  or  lyrics added if none exists. 

B. Permissible uses - Recording of music  ●

Single  copies  of  recordings  of  performances  by  students  may  be  made  for  evaluation or rehearsal purposes and may be retained by the school or teacher. 

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A  single  copy  of  a  sound  recording  (i.e.  tape,  disc,  cassette)  of  a  copyrighted  music  may  be  made  and  retained  by  the school or teacher for the purpose of constructing  aural  exercises  or  examinations.  (This  pertains  only  to  the  copyright  on  the  music  itself and not to any copyright that may exist in the sound recording.) 

C. Prohibited uses  ●

Copied  material  is  not  used  as  a  substitute  for the purchase of  music.  A copy must  include the copyright notice that appears on the printed copy. 

4. Printed Material  a.

Permissible duplication of copies 

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Single copies may be made of the following: 

a.

A chapter from a book; 

b. An article from a periodical or newspaper;  c. A short story, essay, or poem;  d. A chart, graph, diagram, cartoon or picture; and   e. A  short  excerpt,  up  to  ten  (10)  percent,  of  a  unit  of  music  such  as  a  song  or  movement. 

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  ●

For  one  classroom  use,  multiple  copies  not  to  exceed  one  (1) copy per student may  be made of the following: 

a.

A complete poem of less than 250 words; 

b. An excerpt of less than 250 words from a longer poem;  c. A story, essay or article of less than 2,500 words;  d. One illustration (i.e., chart, graph, picture) from a book periodical; and  e. Up  to  ten  (10)  percent  of  a  unit  of  music  for  academic  purposes  other  than  performance.  B. Prohibited duplication of copies  ●

Duplicating copies for the following reasons is prohibited: 

a.

Copies in order to create anthologies or to substitute for them; 

b. Copies  from  “consumable”  works  such  as  standardized tests, answer sheets of class  workbooks;  c. Copies made on direction from higher authority;  d. Copies to substitute for the purchase of books, periodicals or music;  e. Copies of the same item from term to term without gaining permission  f.

Multiple copies more than nine (9) times in one term; 

g. Copies  of  more  than  one  (1)  short  work  or  two  (2)  excerpts  from  one  (1)  author’s  work in a term;  h. Copies of music or lyrics for performance of any kind in or out of the classroom; and   i.

Copies of protected materials without inclusion of a notice of copyright. 

5. Videotape and Film Guidelines  a.

Permissible uses 

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Videotapes are recorded in a lawful manner. 

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Videotapes and films are used by a teacher and students in an instructional setting. 

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Only a school/district may claim the fair use exception. 

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All  videotapes  not  purchased  by  the  school/district  must  be  approved  by  the  principal. 

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Videotapes  and  films  previewed  by  the  teacher  before  use  in  an  instructional  setting. 

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  ●

The  use  of  videotapes  and  films  is  part  of  the  instructional  program  and  stated  in  the  lesson  plans.  The  teacher  identifies  specific  objectives  and  justifies  the  use  of  the  videotapes  and  films  to  support  the  objectives.  Follow  up  activities  are  used to  check students’ understanding. 

B. Prohibited uses  ●

Videotapes  and  films  not  purchased  by  the  school/district  or  not  approved  by  the  principal are not shown to a school assembly or class. 

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Programs  are  not used for reward, recreation or entertainment purposes unless the  performance  rights  have  been  specifically  obtained  and  approval  has  been  granted  by the principal. 

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No film have a MPAA rating of R, NC-17, or X is shown. 

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No  program  is  recorded  from  a  premium  cable  or  pay-per-view  channel  for  use  in  school settings. 

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No program is regularly recorded in anticipation of requests. 

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No  program  is  converted  from  one  media  format  to  another  (i.e.  film/filmstrip  to  videotape) unless written permission is secured. 

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No program obtained for previewing is duplicated. 

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No single broadcast program is recorded more than once for the same teacher. 

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Although  programs  need  not  be  played  in  their  entirety,  they  are  not  physically  or  electronically combined, merged, or edited. 

F. Collection Evaluation   1. Collection  evaluation  should  be  on-going,  soliciting  input  from  faculty  and  students  as to areas needing attention.  2. Utilization  of  computerized  printouts  or  inventory lists reflecting number of items in  specific  subject  areas  as  well  as  copyright  dates  should  be  useful  in  evaluating  the  collection. 

   

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XII. Procedures for Challenged Materials  A. Statement of Policy  In  accordance  with  the  First  Amendment  to  the  United  States  Constitution,  the  School  Board  subscribes  in  principle  to  the  statement of policy on library philosophy as expressed  in the American Association of School Librarians; “School Library Bill of Rights.”  B. Reconsideration Procedures  1. The  school  receiving  a  complaint  regarding  library  materials  shall  try  to  resolve  the  issue  informally  by  having  the  school  principal  and/or  librarian  explain  the  school’s  selection procedures and education value of the item.  2. If  the  complainant  is  not  satisfied  with  the  explanations  offered  above,  he  or  she  may  file  a  formal  complaint  by  completing  a  copy  of  the  “Citizens  Request  for  Reconsideration of Instructional Material” (Attachment 1).  3. When  a  completed  request  for  formal  action  against  an  item  has  been  returned  to  the  school  principal  or  librarian,  a  “Reconsideration  Committee”  shall  be  organized  as follows:  a. Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum  b. Appropriate  Elementary  or  Secondary  Supervisory  (depending  on  subject  and  level  of questioned material)  c. A school librarian in a similar type school  d. PTA representative or lay-person interested in school affairs.  e. Building principal  f.

Supervisor of Instructional Services  

This committee shall be appointed by the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum.   

4.  The  committee  should  meet  within  ten  school  days  upon  receipt  of  complaint  and 

should consider the following criteria in its evaluation:  a. Examine the item in its entirety  b. Read various critical reviews of the item  c. Discuss value of item as whole and to the educational program within the school 

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  d. Prepare a written report of the committee’s decision 

 

5.  If  requested,  the  written  report  will  be  discussed  with  the  individual  complainant, 

and will then be filed on parish and school levels.   

6.  The citizen has the right to appeal the committee’s decision to the Superintendent’s 

office.  7. The Superintendent’s decision may then be appealed to the School Board.   

8.  Access  to  challenged  material  should  not  be  restricted  during  the  reconsideration 

process    Book Challenges updated 2018 

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