| Challenged Material | Stocktake |
| Budget | Collection Management |
| Circulation | Information Literacy |
Challenged Material
Overview : In accordance with the St Mary’s Mission statement and the Australian School Library Bill of rights, we have a responsibility to provide opportunities and resources which reflect a wide variety of perspectives which will encourage critical thinking and help our students make informed decisions.
Therefore at times students may be exposed to materials, which present information, ideas or attitudes which some members of the school community may consider to be controversial, inappropriate or offensive.
Objections to these resources are an important part of the democratic process and should be treated as legitimate avenues of communication in education. However, challenges must be considered on the understanding that no parent or carers have the right to determine learning or recreational matter for students other than their own.
To facilitate the hearing of potential objections and guide appropriate action, the following procedure will enable all points of view to be clearly and openly expressed while preserving the principles of intellectual freedom and professional responsibility and integrity of the school.
Therefore at times students may be exposed to materials, which present information, ideas or attitudes which some members of the school community may consider to be controversial, inappropriate or offensive.
Objections to these resources are an important part of the democratic process and should be treated as legitimate avenues of communication in education. However, challenges must be considered on the understanding that no parent or carers have the right to determine learning or recreational matter for students other than their own.
To facilitate the hearing of potential objections and guide appropriate action, the following procedure will enable all points of view to be clearly and openly expressed while preserving the principles of intellectual freedom and professional responsibility and integrity of the school.
Procedure
1. Acknowledgement of the concern by recording
· Complainant’s name
· Contact name
· Title of challenged resource
· Specific nature and context of concern
2. Referral of the complaint to the teacher-Librarian who will
· Check for previous reconsiderations of the item
· Inform the principal.
· Initiate appropriate proceedings
The complainant will be asked to complete the ’request for reconsideration of Library Resources’ form or return this to the Teacher-Librarian. The form must be signed and dated by the complainant before further action will be taken
On receipt of the completed form a Review committee will be established. This committee consists of the teacher-Librarian, the Principal and a member of the Education Board.
On receipt of the completed form a Review committee will be established. This committee consists of the teacher-Librarian, the Principal and a member of the Education Board.
Each member of the Review Committee will receive a copy of the complainant’s request and a copy of the ‘Criteria for Selection of Materials: Content Checklist’. The committee will review the resource independently bearing in mind the principles of freedom to learn and to read, so that a decision is made on these principles rather than on the defence of individual materials.
The Review Committee will meet within a fortnight to consider their decision and subsequent course of action.
The complainant will be notified in writing of the result of the request and reasons for it.
If the complainant is dissatisfied with the result a copy of the Selection criteria for resources will be supplied.
The challenged resource will remain in circulation to all students until the result of the review is known.
Budget
The Review Committee will meet within a fortnight to consider their decision and subsequent course of action.
The complainant will be notified in writing of the result of the request and reasons for it.
If the complainant is dissatisfied with the result a copy of the Selection criteria for resources will be supplied.
The challenged resource will remain in circulation to all students until the result of the review is known.
Budget
Overview : An annual budget, which itemises priorities for expenditure on stock maintenance, collection development and recurrent materials cost, is prepared and submitted to the Principal for approval. The budget is based on information gathered from the annual stocktake, the librarians perceived collection shortfalls and after consultation and input from staff.
3.1 Collection Development
A number of key priorities have been identified for the year 2008
- To extend the Integrated Studies section in the Teacher Reference section to support staff planning and teaching in this areas
- To support the use of technology in the curriculum by purchasing suggested additional recommended titles for use by staff.
- To continue to build on and extend the items available for use in the literature block by purchasing more multiple copy sets of popular fiction titles /non fiction material for both Junior and Senior students.
- To extend the Big Book non fiction collection at all levels of difficulty to support student learning in the areas of SOSE and Science and Religion
- To purchase update current Alice library package toOliver Junior
- To extend the range of DVD and/or CD's tapes of popular fiction works for use in classroom language programs
- To significantly extend the Junior Fiction section in the library to cater for growing demand for bulk loans by classroom teachers and increased student numbers in this area of the school.
- To meet part of the costs of continued development of the teacher Librarian’s management skillsthrough in –house training and attendance at regional, zone inservice.
As well as addressing these priorities for 2008 the Library budget has taken into account that the collection must be continually updated and extended to compensate for items that have been lost or weeded throughout the school year.
Recurrent Materials
Money is allocated each year to cover the costs of processing materials and teaching aids which are purchased from this source as are the costs of batteries and extension card storage boxes.
The CEO has undertaken meeting the cost of SCIS cataloguing in 2008 but Softlink’s support and subscriptions are met from this component of the budget.
Budget Summary
The library receives $12.00 (this amount is negotiated each year) per child from the school budget per year. This includes an allocation of $2.00 per child earmarked for religious education materials which are purchased through the library.
The Parents and Friends Association donate $5000.00 per year (negotiated annually).Circulation
Two Book Bazaars are held yearly with profits taken in book stock or cash points.
Donations from parents, and the wider community may occur throughout the school year.
The circulation system is an integral part of the management of the School Library resources. It provides information about:
- Resource use
- Resource borrowing
- Resource availability
6.0 Policy
The circulation system to be used is the AFW Automated Library system. The circulation system will be the ultimate responsibility of the Teacher Librarians.
To train all library users to understand aspects of the circulation system and contribute to its effectiveness.
6.1 Aims and Objectives
- To enable the user to obtain the material he/she desires for use outside the library
- To recover the material sought by a library user
- To allow for efficient management of personnel time and resources
- To allow for the varying needs of different client groups in terms of loan times and types of resources available
- To support staff in their monitoring of student borrowing by supplying regular statistical information
- To allow access to information about availability and status of resources
- To allow resources to be reserved for future borrowing
- To minimise the loss rate of resources from the library collection
- To ensure that resources are organised in particular location in the library according to it’s material type
- To allow staff to have access to the circulation system at any time by provision of bar code record sheets and up to date folders of all current collection items
- Monitor the pattern of recreational and curriculum use of resources at the school
- To take into account the special purposes and nature of some collection items and the necessity of limiting access to some of these resources.
- Teacher Reference - Available to staff, parents, parish workers and visitors. Staff/school needs take priority. Students are not permitted to borrow from this section (exceptions possible if a demonstrated need).
- Video and Audio Collection - Available to staff, parish workers and some visitors. Staff/school needs take priority. Students are not permitted to borrow from this section (exceptions possible if a demonstrated need).
- General Reference - Staff and students use these resources in the library. Borrowing of resources from the general reference collection is limited to 1 day and only for classroom use.
- General Collection - Staff, students, parents and visitors may borrow from the General Library Collection. Priority for resources is given to staff and students of the school community.
- Computer Software - Borrowing of CD Roms and Computer Discs is restricted to staff only.
6.3 User Groups
All borrowers are divided into different user groups. User groups fall into the following categories:
- Students-Prep-6
- Teachers
- External borrowers
- a specified loan time
- variations in the types of items able to borrowed according to their needs
- a specified number of items to be borrowed.
Prep-Six students 14 days6.4 Loans Procedure
Staff school year (up to one)
Parents 14 days
Students teachers 30 days
Integration Students 30 days
Staff Bulk loans 1 term
Literature boxes 5 weeks
All borrowing and returns go through the front desk. This is serviced by the Teacher/Librarians.
Procedures
Prep-Six
Books are returned to the Library soon after 9.00am. Books are returned via book boxes which are housed in the Library and collected prior to Assembly.Books are returned the day prior to library lesson. Late returns are placed in the green ‘Returns Box” outside the library or placed in the “Return “ box on the front desk.
All borrowers cards have a barcode. These are kept in class sets by the librarian.
When book selections have been made the child brings his/her items to the front desk and;
- Users ID is selected.
- Select Circulation screen from menu.
- Scan users barcode. Observe users name on screen.
- Scan items barcode. Observe that barcode and title correspond.
Staff have access to the circulation system at any time, including evenings and weekends. Should the automated system not be working, the following details are recorded on sheets provided and left beside the terminal:
a. The borrowers name.This can be entered into the computer when next operational.
b. The barcode number of each item borrowed
6.4.1 Staff and Student Loan Parameters
Staff
All staff loans have a due date at the beginning of December. Staff are urged to keep track of their loans via the monthly loans lists which are circulated.
Students
Each child has a card with a barcode. These cards are kept in the library to prevent loss.
Students in Year P-2 borrow 3 items for a period of up to 2 weeks.6.5 Returns Procedure
Students in Year 3-4 borrow 4 books for a period of up to 2 weeks
Students in Year 5-6 borrow 4 books for a period of up to 2 weeks.
- Select circulation screen from menu.
- Scan over items individually observe that item and title on screen correspond.
- If Database observes item is on reserve put aside and notify user.
- If not on reserve, shelve item.
Overdue lists are circulated every Friday. A copy of significantly overdue items is kept for monitoring purposes. Teachers’ borrowings are run off on the last Friday of the month, so that staff can return or renew materials.
Overdue
3rd Reminder - If a student fails to return an item after 3 reminders, the librarian:
- checks with the borrower to see if they still have the item
- if not, check the shelves/displays
- if not found at school a letter is sent home requesting a search be undertaken.
- if still lost replacement costs are requested.
NB: Exceptions to this procedure will be at the discretion of the librarians and/or principal and will depend on each individual set of circumstances.
6.7 Renewals and Reservations Procedure
Students or staff may renew any material before the due date. Overdue material must be returned and then reborrowed.
Reservations are recorded by selecting Reservation from the Circulation module. A reminder that the book is reserved is given when the item is put through as a ‘return’.
Staff and student requests/reservations are put aside as they become available and borrower is notified that day.
6.8 Lost Items Procedure
Missing items are recorded in the computer. The name of the borrower responsible for that item is also held. After a stocktake those items deemed missing for quite some time are deselected and weeded from the collection.
6.9 Organisation Of Resources Procedure
6.9.1 Shelving and display
Resources housed in the collection are organised in the following locations:
- Picture Story Books
- Junior Fiction (simple text)
- Big Books (suitable for sharing)
- Fiction
- Non Fiction
- Junior Non Fiction
- Teacher Reference
- Italian
- Hang up Bags
- Audio Visual
- Posters and charts
- Magazines
- Computer resources
- Music
An author/illustrator display is changed weekly to expose children to different quality writers/illustrators and items.
There is a different Dewey number used as a focus for displays that is also changed weekly.
Other displays come from children’s interest areas or themes from the teaching/learning programs operating in the school.
6.9.2 Housekeeping
Daily Procedure - A full back up is done at the end of each day
.
6.10 Bulk Loans Procedure
There are two types of bulk loans available through the library.
Thematic Loans - Classroom teachers organise bulk loans to support themes or a particular curriculum focus. These and are on loan for up to one term.
Classroom Resource Boxes - Resource boxes containing 40 items (fiction and non fiction) are assigned to every classroom. These are used for recreational reading or to supplement the home/school reading program.
Resource boxes are assigned at the start of each term. They are returned to the library and exchanged for another in Week 4/5. At the end of term all Resource Boxes are returned to the Library to be redistributed after the holidays.
Resource Boxes are rotated through a level until each class in that level has used the material. They are then recalled to the library and new material is assigned.
Teachers are provided with an itemised list of what is contained in the Resource Box and are expected to be responsible for that material while it is in their room.
6.11 Class Sets Procedure
Multiple copies of novels for Grades 3-6 are housed in the Library.
Staff organise their own timetable to rotate class sets through out each level over the 4 terms.
Wherever possible audio tapes or videos are purchased to support a class set of novels.
Each class set pack contains a folder of notes/activities to use with the material.
Multiple copies range from 6-18 titles depending on intended use.
New titles are purchased each year in the 3-6 area to update and extend the range of class sets available. Multiple copies of Junior/Senior books with tapes (up to 6 copies) are housed in hang up bags in the multiple copy section. Individual books and tape sets are housed in hang up bags in the the single copy section.
Class sets and multiple copies of books for the Prep – 2 area are housed in the Language Resource Room or in hang up bags in the Library.
6.12 Periodicals Procedure
Literature Base, Magpies, Junior and Senior Topics and Classroom are purchased for staff use.
ACCESS and SCAN are purchased for use in the Library.
Periodicals are ordered through the office and paid for from the school budget.
A list of magazines and periodicals received by the library can be found in the work program folder folder marked “Serial List”( When received into the Library, each serial record is marked with the date and then distributed to the Staff through the new publications display in the staff room. Items are marked with ‘Return to Staffroom’ on them and teachers note if they have taken an item with them. Serials are then placed in appropriate boxes and kept in the staffroom.
Pamphlets are periodically filed in folders, kept for two years, then discarded.
Any items of interest are photocopied and placed in the Vertical File.
6.11 AV Computer Software Procedure
Computer software is purchased in consultation with Technology Co-ordinator. Efforts are made to purchase computer software using Ashton Book Club bonus points. All computer software purchased is IBM compatible.
AV Software - There is no restriction on staff loans of AV material.
Obtaining videos and audio cassettes to accompany class sets of novels is a purchasing priority.
Stocktake
Stocktaking is the process of checking each item in the school resource collection against each item’s record on the library database in order to determine which items are missing from the collection. It is an essential evaluation procedure which is part of the overall school responsibility for efficient resource management and accountability and contributes to a more effective library service.
Stocktaking ensures that the library database holds current and accurate records of the library’s holdings and as such will be of optimum use and value to its users.
Stocktaking serves to evaluate the effectiveness of the library circulation system and storage methods by determining the loss rate of the resources and by highlighting problem areas in stock control.
A regular and systematic stocktake will indicate deficiencies in the collection and will therefore assist in the acquisition of appropriate library materials.
7.1 Policy
Stocktaking shall meet the requirements of the Catholic Education Office by providing accurate figures for the library census which is required every year.
A full stocktake will be done annually in stages over the last two terms of the school year. The order and dates of the different sections of the stocktake to be recorded at the start of each year.
A maximum of two weeks will be given to stocktake the targeted section, this is to include preparation of the stocktake, stocktaking and follow up procedures.
The Teacher/Librarian will do Stocktaking.
Stocktaking will not require the full closure of the library or recall of materials borrowed. Access to the section of the library undergoing a stocktake will be restricted for the 2 weeks allocated
Stocktaking procedures will follow the outline provided :
7.2 Stocktake Procedure
7.2.1 Preparation
- Publicise the stocktake so that borrowers are aware it is imminent.
- Alert borrowers to the section of the collection to be closed for stocktaking.
- Check for all resources, which might not be in their usual place and take them to their correct area.
- Ensure personnel involved in the stocktake understand the procedure.
- Ensure that all equipment needed is ready ie: set barcode reader, clear memory, disconnects from main computer.
- Run housekeeping and backups prior to beginning the stocktake.
7.2.2 Procedure
- Take barcode to the appropriate section.(Clear memory)
- Scan each item with the barcode reader.
- During scanning, any item that is obviously in need of weeding or repair is to be put aside.
- Return barcode reader to main computer and reconnect.
- Log into Stocktake module and download data.
- At the conclusion of the stocktake, print a list of missing items and generate stocktake report.
7.3 Authority
The shelf list indicates the library’s holdings in classification/shelf order and is used as the authority for the annual stocktake. This list is generated using the AFW software package.
7.4 Follow up
- Check stocktake reports and work methodically through each report.
- Contact staff and students and request that they search for missing items.
- Note the subsequent return of any missing items and amend.
- For items that the computer indicated as ‘available’ but were missing, change item status missing.
- For items that were weeded from the collection during stocktake, change the status from ’available’ to ‘withdrawn’.
- File the report for each section as the stocktake for that area of the collection is completed.
- At the end of the stocktake, collate figures of the stocktake and prepare a written report of materials missing.
- At the completion of a full stocktake the Teacher-Librarians to provide the Principal with a written report, providing details of the data collected (if requested)
- Note areas where losses were greatest and prioritise for future acquisitions.
- Next stocktake – compare current stocktake report with previous stock report and amend appropriately.
Weeding is the process by which materials no longer useful are removed from the library collection. It is therefore a definite part of, and inevitable result from stocktaking. It is carried out on a continuous basis to maintain the quality and relevance of the collection for users
For Deselection Criteria see 4.13 Deselection of Resources in the Collection Development Policy.
For items weeded during stocktake:
Check item barcode against database record.Collection Management
Identify it as multiple or single copy and amend record accordingly.
Check library shelves.
Check workroom.
Amend report.
The Collection Development Policy is an umbrella policy which encompasses a number of policy statements. It’s purpose is to explain why the collection exists, establish the basis for all the collection program activities and delineate what will be included in the collection.
4.1 Philosophy
The Collection Development Policy of St. Mary’s, Swan Hill is inspired by the Gospel values cooperation, respect, tolerance, justice, care and understanding. These have been derived from the schools Vision and Mission Statements (Appendix 1 / 2).
4.1.1 Rationale
The technology explosion has necessitated that educators equip children with the skills to use the potential of the information world in a selective and independent manner. They need to be taught how to learn so that they can continue the process of learning and adapt to an every changing world after formal schooling has been completed.
In light of this at St. Mary’s, the library is a focal point and stimulus for learning in the whole school. It is seen as a resource and information centre, not just a store house of books. The school library assumes full responsibility for providing appropriate book and non book resources to support the curriculum presented and to ensure the information sources in the school library match the ever changing needs and activities of the users.
4.1.2 Collection Aims and Objectives
To support the philosophy and educational aims of the school and library policy, in promoting the spiritual, psychological, emotional, intellectual, social and physical development of students with various abilities, maturation and interests.
To provide a range of resources to meet the information and recreational needs of students, and to support the curriculum and professional development of staff.
Provide materials on opposing sides of controversial issues so that students may develop under guidance the practice of critical reading and thinking.
To place principle above personal opinion and reason above prejudice in the selection of materials of the highest quality in order to ensure a comprehensive collection that is appropriate for use by staff and students.
To provide materials representative of the many religious, ethnic and cultural groups and their contributions to our heritage.
Collection Objectives 2008
- To promote a central resources policy whereby all new book and non book purchases are directed through the library and catalogued and recorded on the library computer.
- To extend the range of video and/or cassette tapes of popular fiction works for use in classroom literature programs.
- To acquire books and other materials for instruction that support curriculum initiatives undertaken and which meet the prioritised needs of curriculum, staff and students.
- To extend the Junior non fiction big book collection to include items with a diversity of appeal and varied degrees of difficulty.
- To purchase a range of non fiction big books for both the junior and senior area.
- To significantly extend the junior fiction section in the library to cater for growing demand by readers and staff requiring bulk loans to supplement readers.
- To continue to extend the non book section of the library in all subject areas of the curriculum with special emphasis being placed on the purchase of CD ROM material and DVD.
- To purchase new reference material in non book format for research use by students.
- To significantly upgrade the resources supporting the Integrated curriculum and Maths curriculum for the P-6 area.
- To determine the individual value of each item by weeding the library collection after stocktake is completed and facilitate the removal of items in he collection which are unused, worn out, out of date or inappropriate.
- To pinpoint the collections strengths and weaknesses after stocktaking and use this as the basis of future library budget proposals.
- To plan a budget that is closely linked to the school’s instructional programs and the library programs that have been developed to support them.
- To acquire resources for the library as efficiently, economically and quickly as possible.
- To carry out weeding on a day to day basis as materials are catalogued and shelved.
- To establish a display area in the staffroom to advertise new teacher reference and non book purchases.
- To provide materials about various aspects of education for parents to borrow and advertise this on the newsletter.
- To promote the library collection by informing staff about additions to the collection at staff meeting and through displays in the library/staffroom.
- To promote the library collection to students by establishing and author/illustrator focus which changes regularly and highlighting new purchases on a weekly basis and through the provision of storytelling sessions in the library during lunchtimes.
- To significantly upgrade the automation process which organises the collection through the purchase and implementation of Windows for Alice software upgrades.
- To continue to extend the items for use in classroom literacy programs by purchasing new multiple copy sets of popular fiction titles for each level.
- To significantly increase the number of catalogued Internet sites relating to key learning areas by accessing the SCIS internet database.
- To promote the library and it’s facilities through the introduction of the library Homepage which will incorporate information about new resources, searching on the net and and support teaching programs through the provision of online links to resources.
This policy has been developed by the School Librarians and has been guided by the principles laid down in the Australian Library Bill of Rights (Appendix 3).
4.2 Parameters of the Collection
4.2.1 History of the Collection
St. Mary’s Primary School is a P-6 school catering for 520 students. The library collection contains a wide range of recreational and instructional materials to meet a range of student learning needs and interest areas. There are currently 32,000 items held in the library. These include a range of print and non print resources-picture books, comics, fiction books, big books, videos, audio cassettes, slides, charts computer games, maps, kits, vertical files, filmstrips, non fiction, teacher reference and resource materials, maps, picture sets,internet sites and audio visual equipment.
4.2.2 Collection Categories
There is a broad range of ages, ability levels and interest among students served by the collection. The school library caters for this with a wide range of book and non book non fiction resources.
There is a strong academic emphasis in the school and the collection reflects this with a comprehensive range of reference and informational materials which support the current teaching programs.
Recreational needs are supported by a large range of quality fiction material for all ages and there is an excellent supply of resources on spirituality for P-6.
The collection has a strong teacher reference section which supports the research needs of staff and assists with classroom planning. The collection contains many general works considered important in any school library i.e. World Books.
The collection has a small but well utilised A/V section which houses material for recreational and instructional use by staff and students.
4.3 Users Policy
4.3.1 User Group
The user group includes students, staff, parents, parish community and religious educators.
4.3.2 Pupils
There are 584 students. The collection contains a wide range of recreational and instructional material to meet a range of students learning needs and interest areas. The children come form a variety of cultural backgrounds. The collection caters for this diversity of culture by providing book and non book materials in other languages .A range of large print recreational and reference material, books, tapes and games are housed in the collection to meet the needs of the integration students.
4.3.3 Parents/Parish Workers
Resources are available on many, aspects of education, parenting, and spirituality for parents to borrow, while Parish workers utilise the religious collection housed in the library.
4.3.4 Staff
There are over 45 staff employed at the school. The library collection contains an extensive teacher reference and educational resources section to assist classroom teaching and support professional development.
4.3.5 Other
There are informal cooperative arrangements in place with MacKillop College Library and the Special Development School. Loans are arranged as requested for a two week period. Explicit clarification of St. Mary’s relationship with other libraries and networks will be made once our collection is housed on the Internet.
4.4 Access Policy
Staff have access to the collection at any time including evenings and weekends. Should the automated system not be working the borrowers name and barcode of each item borrowed are recorded and left for the Teacher/Librarian.
4.5 Curriculum and Recreational Focus of the Collection
4.5.1 Programs Supported
The library supports the following programs and special interest groups:
- Italian Program: Provide dual language recreational reading material, dual language dictionaries and cassette tapes in Italian.
- Gifted Children: Provide reference material for teachers and parents and recreational book and non book materials for students.
- Integration Programs: Provide reference material and programs for staff, parents and children.
- Koori Children: Provide teacher reference materials, recreational reading materials depicting aboriginal children, aboriginal myths and teaching programs.
- Religion: Provide book and non book materials on Religious Instruction for children and personal faith materials for children and adults.
- Staff: Provide strong teacher reference section to promote and support individual professional development and classroom planning.
- Instruction teaching resources: Provide a range of book and non book materials at all levels of difficulty for all curriculum areas to support the teaching and learning programs conducted in the school.
- Recreation: Provide a range of picture story book, junior fiction and fiction material at all levels of difficulty for recreational reading by students.
- Literature Programs: Provide a wide range of duplicate novels for Grades 3-6 to be used in the classroom literature programs.
- CLASS: Provide Big Books, multiple copies of duplicate texts and book and tape packs to support aspects of the Class Program.
The priority order for the acquisition of new material is as follows:(Taken from the Manual for Victorian School Libraries,P.6)
- Material to support current teaching programs.
- General works considered valuable in any school library collection.
- Materials to support the research needs of staff.
- Materials to support the recreational needs of students.
- Materials which form foundation collections in support of anticipated programs.
4.5.3 Priorities for the 2008 year
- Purchase of wide range of fiction and non fiction materials for P-6
- Extending range of book/non book materials to support classroom literacy programs
- Expansion of Junior fiction section to cater for increase of students in this area and meet increased demand on these resources.
- Purchase of additional multiple copies of popular quality literature for use in classroom language programs.
- To establish a Library Home page to enhancing existing curriculum and providing opportunities for student learning.
- Increase the range of Big Books in Fiction and Non Fiction format.
- Expand the range of electronic resources for P-6 users
Being reviewed in 2008
4.5.5 Collection Inclusions/Exclusions
- Foreign Language: Italian is taught as a second language and dual language materials are limited to this language.
- Duplicates: Duplicates of novels is limited to those selected as part of the Class literature program.
- Tall Books (above standard height are not purchased due to lack of appropriate storage space.
The library receives $12.00 per child from the School Budget each year which is spent on collection priorities.
Other funds come from contributions made by Parents and Friends, donations, bonus dividends from Ashton Book Club and Book Fairs held through the year.
Upon approval by the Principal it is the responsibility of the Teacher Librarian to co-ordinate the purchasing program. This ensures a balanced selection and reduces the possibility of unnecessary duplication of resources.
Budget Allocation:
30% Non Fiction4.7 Resource Selection Policy
40% Fiction
20% A/V
10% Teacher Reference
In the main it is the responsibility of the teacher librarian to select resources. Staff are given the opportunity to select and /or suggest materials to be purchased if a vendor visits the school or staff see resources they think may be useful. Requests forms for material for staff are available (Appendix 4). However requests and purchases should go through the librarian who can ascertain whether or not the item is already in the collection or is a priority item for that year.
4.7.1 Policies for acquisition
Suggestions for purchase by staff or students will be recorded on request forms. Funds will be available before purchases can be made. Materials will be reviewed before purchase from the most economical/efficient source.
4.7.2 School coordination of purchasing
The Teacher Librarians may:
- Arrange to visit a bookseller to select items
- Purchase when booksellers/publishers display resources at inservice days or visit the school.
- Purchase on the basis of reviews in professional selection tools
The teacher/librarians are assisted in material selection by consulting
- Curriculum documents and ministerial papers
- Reputable, unbiased and professional reviewing journals
- Statements and documents issued by professional educational or library associations. (See Appendix 5)
General selection criteria involves materials which are:
- Educationally significant
- Of need and value to the collection
- Have a reputable or significant author or producer
- Have clarity, adequacy, and are unbiased
- Are valid, accurate, objective, up to date and appropriate
- Readable and /or comprehensible
- Of quality format, presentation and organisation.
- Of high artistic or literary merit.
- Durable and value for money.
- Accurate in presentation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Issues.
- Suitable for inclusion in a Catholic School.
4.8.1 Criteria for Selection:
Criteria for Fiction Selection
- Items are in general, evaluated against the following criteria
- Appearance and appeal
- Appropriateness
- Interest and reading ability level
- Language-vital, sincere, informational.
- Availability and relevance
- Appearance and durability
- Quality of illustrations-placement and format
- Size of print and readability of text
- Interest and appeal to children
- Books which fit into well known curriculum subject areas i.e. Families.
- Books which draw on experiences and emotions.
- Qualifications, experience and reputation of author/sponsoring group/agency.
- Copyright date/recent revisions
- Reputation of publisher, country of publication.
- Inclusions of bibliographies, suggested further readings, inclusion of primary/secondary sources.
- Suitability of style and approach for intended audience.
- Arrangement of material, including table of contents, headings, index, illustration etc
- Quality of binding, paper, size of typeface.
- Likely interest, appeal, relevance, to a wide audience in the school
- Objectivity, accuracy and value for money.
- As for Non Fiction Selection
- See Appendix 7
The following criteria are taken into account:
- Durability of format
- Cost-value for money
- Appropriateness of format for purpose and use
- Cost in relation to value to collection
- Theologically sound
- Scripturally correct
- Culturally relevant
- Interest and age appropriate
- Of need and value to the collection
- Consistent with the diocesan policy for R.E
- Appearance and appeal.
- Containing lasting values.
Resource sharing between the school and Parish religious workers exists Inter library loans occur as necessary with the other local state and secondary colleges, MacKillop College and the Lady Byrnes special school. Borrowers are issued with a temporary card and loans are generally for the term.
4.10 Controversial literature/Challenge Materials
The selection procedure for controversial items is as follows:
- A selection panel consisting of the Teacher Librarian and the Principal, determine the value of each item using the selection criteria outlined in the collection policy.
- A file is kept on each item.
- In the event of the controversial item being purchased and challenged the filed review of the item is used to defend it’s place in the collection
Refer to the Challenged Materials Policy which outlines procedure in detail.
- library workroom.
The Teacher librarian welcomes gifts of books and other resources but reserves the right to refuse unsuitable items. Gifts of material to the library will be accepted if they fulfil the criteria for selection. Gifts are accepted on the understanding that the library may dispose of them at it’s own discretion. Donations are identified by the placement of a stacker placed in the front cover of the book. (Appendix 6)
4.13 Lost items
Worn or missing items are that are important to the collection will be replaced using the following criteria:
- Immediate need is evident ie the standard text in Maths.
- Availability and use ie item is in print and borrowed regularly.
Weeding the collection is undertaken on a continuous basis to maintain the quality and relevance of the resources held in the collection.
Worn or damaged items still of educational value are replaced periodically and other items removed if they fulfil the following criteria
Deselecting Criteria:
- Poor physical condition -dirty, damaged, worn.
- Obsolete content, style or information.
- Inappropriate material.
- Superseded editions of a title exist in the collection.
- Dump