Tulsa Public Schools

Collection Development and Materials Selection Policy

Tulsa Public Schools Library Media Centers

Responsibility for Selection of Library Materials

The Board of Education of Tulsa Public Schools is legally responsible for all matters relating to the operation of the school district including the selection and purchase of all print and non-print materials. Authority for selection in libraries is delegated to each individual school’s library media specialist. Library selection committees, working under the leadership of the Director of Media and Library Services, are formed each year to review materials and make recommendations for purchases for library media centers.

Objectives of Selection

The mission of TPS is for every student to achieve maximum success through excellent academic programs. Tulsa Public School Library Media Centers support that vision through the creation of learning environments that encourage intellectual and social development leading to productive citizenship. The library mission is to promote the skills, experiences, and confidence that will enable children and young adults to use libraries and information resources for lifelong learning. To accomplish this mission, the following objectives for selection have been adopted:

1. To provide materials which support the curriculum and learning

2. To provide equitable access to a variety of information materials, taking into consideration individual needs, interests, abilities, diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, variance in language, and maturity levels of the students served

3. To provide materials which reflect all sides of issues, beliefs, and ideas for the purpose of guiding students in becoming critical thinkers who can understand varying perspectives

4. To develop a collection of popular print/non-print materials of high interest that attract students to reading for pleasure, recreation and personal interest

Criteria for Selection of Materials

Selection emphasis is placed on providing a wide range of fiction and nonfiction materials that promote a life-long love of reading, support the school’s curriculum, and contribute to the professional goals of the faculty. Materials are selected to reflect cultures, beliefs, and viewpoints of our diverse community. The following criteria is considered in the selection process:

· Relevance to the local curriculum, state, and national standards

· Literary merit including quality of writing and/or illustrations

· Timeliness

· Reading level

· Popular appeal

· Cost

· Social significance and representation of diversity

· Authority and accuracy of content

· Format

· Reputation and standards of the publisher or producer

· Representation of differing viewpoints

Notes on Selection

1. Special consideration will be given to award winning titles.

Materials sometimes considered controversial will be included after careful consideration following standard selection criteria.

Religion: Factual unbiased materials representing all major religions may be included. Bibles and other sacred writings are acceptable. Publications from religious bodies may be selected if they have general value or appear in standard indexes.
Ideologies: Factual information about ideologies or philosophies of current or continuing interest may be included.
Science: Medical and scientific knowledge suitable to the developmental stage of the students should be made available.
Fantasy: Both modern fantastic fiction and traditional fantasy and folklore are part of our culture’s rich storytelling tradition and will be evaluated and may be included in collections using the same criteria as other forms of fiction.

1. Textbooks will not be included in the general collection.

2. Professional materials may be housed within the library's professional collection.

3. Supplementary classroom sets are not purchased with library funds but may be maintained by the library for circulation purposes.

4. Lost materials will be replaced under the discretion of the library media specialist.

Selection Tools

· Standard review sources such as Booklist, Horn Book, School Library Journal, Book Report, Publishers Weekly, The Digest of Software Reviews: Education, and AFVA Evaluations.

· Suggestions from patrons including staff and students

· Professional and trade journals

· Lists of recommended titles

· Publishers’ catalogs and promotional materials

Gifts

Gift materials can be accepted with the understanding that these materials must meet the same selection criteria as materials purchased with school funds. All gifts become part of the general collection and thus property of Tulsa Public Schools.

Deselection

In compliance with ALA guidelines, the collection of the library information center will be continually reevaluated in relation to evolving curriculum, new formats of materials, new instruction methods, and the current needs of its users. Materials no longer appropriate should be removed. Lost and worn materials of lasting value should be replaced. Weeding is essential to maintaining a relevant, attractive collection. Materials considered for weeding should include items:

· in poor physical condition

· containing obsolete subject matter

· no longer needed to support the curriculum or student/faculty interests

· superseded by more current information

· containing inaccurate information

· with low circulation

· offering stereotypical images and characterizations

Reconsideration of Library Materials

Citizens questioning the appropriateness of library materials will be directed to follow procedures outlined in Tulsa Public School Board Policy NEPN code: IMB-E and IMB-R.