In the SMS Library, our library media specialist, Mr. Ben Moore, does his best to collect a wide range of grade-appropriate books and materials that will pique students' interest and support their academic needs.
All SACS library staff follow the SACS Board policies for collection development when making decisions about materials to add to or remove from SACS libraries. Here are the school district's policies regarding collection development and weeding:
5060 Selection of Media Materials
SACS shall strive to provide a wide range of instructional materials on all levels of difficulty, with diversity of appeal, and the presentation of different points of view. In order to assure that the school media program is an integral part of the educational program of the school, the corporation has identified the following objectives:
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To provide materials that enrich and support the curriculum and personal needs of the users, taking into consideration their varied interests, abilities, learning styles, and community standards.
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To provide materials that will stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and ethical standards.
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To provide a background of information which will enable pupils to make intelligent judgments in their daily lives.
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To provide materials on opposing sides of controversial issues so that users may develop under guidance the practice of critical analysis.
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To provide materials that realistically represents our pluralistic society and reflects the contributions made by those groups and individuals to our American heritage.
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To place principle above personal opinion and reason above prejudice in the selection of materials of the highest quality in order to assure a comprehensive media collection appropriate for the users.
While selection of materials involves many people, including media personnel, teachers, students, administrators, and community persons, the responsibility for coordinating and recommending the selection and purchase of instructional materials rests with the certified media personnel. In selecting materials for school media programs, the media personnel shall evaluate the existing collection, assess curricula needs as they relate to state academic standards, examine materials, and consult reputable, professionally prepared selection aids, such as the School Library Journal, Booklist, and Video Librarian.
Acceptance of gifts, whether books or other materials, shall be decided by the media personnel on the basis of their suitability to the purposes and needs of the library in accordance with this policy. The media personnel shall determine use or disposal of gift material. (Revised: 10/19/04)
5070 Weeding and Evaluation of Media Materials
Materials which no longer meet the stated objectives of the SACS’ libraries shall be discarded according to accepted professional practices. The method of disposing of the weeded library materials shall be at the discretion of the media personnel, subject to any policy or resolution adopted by the Board. (Revised: 10/19/04)