QUEEN ANNE SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA CENTER

 
 
LIBRARY DIRECTORY
 COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY

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The vision of the Library Media Program:

            Queen Anne students effectively use ideas and information to excel as students, citizens, and leaders in a diverse world.

The mission of the Library Media Program:

           The mission of the Queen Anne Library is to ensure that students effectively use ideas and information to excel as students, citizens, and leaders in a diverse world.

The goals of the Library Media Program:

  1. To develop a diverse, current and inviting collection of print and non-print materials which support Queen Anne School’s curriculum.
  1. To evaluate, acquire and provide access to quality materials which foster students’ interests in reading and learning, and which support faculty in teaching and professional development.
  1. To collaborate with other faculty and staff in developing and supporting the curriculum.
  1. To foster competence in the use of information sources, enabling students and faculty to utilize a variety of reference and research materials.
  1. To enable students to become lifelong learners, by stimulating interest in learning and building confidence in research skills.
  1. To provide access to new and emerging technologies both within the school and through access to websites, databases and other resources, exposing students to a wide variety of educational technologies.

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Scope of the Library Media Center’s collection:

            The Queen Anne School Library Media Program seeks to develop a diverse collection of print and non-print materials, which support the school’s curriculum and foster independent reading and learning. The library staff evaluates, acquires, and provides access to quality materials in various formats, including books in traditional and graphic formats, periodicals, videos, websites, electronic databases, and other appropriate formats. Materials selected for the collection reflect the abilities, interests, and needs of sixth through twelfth grade students in a college preparatory program.

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Selection of materials:

            The Board of Trustees and the Headmaster of Queen Anne School have delegated the responsibility of selection and acquisition of materials for Library Media Program to the Librarian. The Librarian selects and acquires materials for the Library Media Program with the selection criteria in mind, and actively encourages faculty and students to provide suggestions and ideas. The Librarian e-mails teachers at the beginning of the year to elicit suggestions, has a “wish list” posted near the circulation desk that students are actively encouraged to add items to, and forwards information about possible purchases to teachers who may find the items useful in their curriculum. Other methods for involving student input in collection development (such a class “library representatives”) are establish and developed if they are found to work.   
            When the Librarian is unsure if an item meets the selection criteria he/she will seek out published reviews of the material. If reviews cannot be found or do not sufficiently clarify the item’s appropriateness for the collection the Librarian will consult with at least two other faculty members to assist in evaluation of the item.

Examples of resources the Librarian may consult in the selection of materials:

Criteria for selection of materials:

  1. Materials are appropriate for the ages, ability levels and learning styles of the students.

Library media materials should be accessible to and meet the informational and interest needs of all Queen Anne students.

  1. Materials support the curriculum and the objectives of the instructional program

Library media materials should be selected on the basis of curricular needs, and reflect the learning outcomes of Queen Anne’s instructional program.

  1. Materials are accurate in terms of content

Library media materials should present facts in an objective manner. Authority of the author, organization, publisher and/or producer should be a consideration in selection.

  1. Materials reflect of the pluralistic nature of a global society

Library media materials should provide a global perspective and promote diversity as a positive attribute of our society. It is important to include materials by authors and illustrators of all cultures.

  1. Material are free of bias and stereotype

Materials should reflect the basic humanity of all people and be free of stereotypes, caricatures, distorted dialect, sexual bias, and other offensive characteristics. Materials concerning religious, social, and political content should inform rather than indoctrinate.

  1. Materials represent differing viewpoints on controversial subjects

Students have the right to information on both sides of a controversial issue. By having access to a variety of resources students will have the knowledge base to develop critical thinking and problem solving skills.

  1. Materials are in an appropriate format to effectively teach the curriculum

Library media materials should be available in variety of formats, e.g., print, non-print, electronic, multimedia, to meet the needs and learning styles of Queen Anne students.

  1. Materials contain current information

Library media materials should be assessed for currency of the information as it relates to the content and purpose of the item. The copyright date should be taken in to consideration when selecting materials.

  1. Materials are acceptable in literary style and technical quality

Literary quality, technical merit, physical arrangement, and aesthetic characteristics should be considered in the evaluation of all media formats.

  1. Materials are cost effective in terms of use

Library media materials should be evaluated for cost effectiveness in terms of accessibility, projected use, and durability.

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Acquisition of materials:

            The Librarian acquires materials for the Library Media Program from a variety of sources, including book stores (such as Barnes & Nobel and Borders), publisher warehouse sales (including Scholastic and Penguin Publishing), internet sources (such as Amazon.com), book jobbers, donations, and other sources. When possible purchases are made using a Purchase Order form, but many purchases are made directly by the Librarian who is then reimbursed for the materials. The Librarian has a copy of Queen Anne’s tax exempt card and Queen Anne School does not reimburse staff for any taxes. The Librarian makes use of teacher discounts, special coupons and warehouse sales to provide the highest quality collection while staying within the assigned budget.
            In general priority is given to purchasing of materials specifically requested by faculty to support their curriculum, books purchased for reading programs (such as the Black-Eyed Susan and Battle of the Books programs), materials to update sections of the collection which have been weeded in the past year, and materials to update any area which is unable to meet student needs. With funds from programs organized by QASPA (such as the Barnes & Noble book sale and the Box-Tops-for-Education drive) and from the used book sale priority is give to student requests, additions to popular series, and materials from “best of”-type book lists and seminars.   

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Policy on gifts to the Library Media Center:

            Members of the Queen Anne community, including parents, students, alumni, and friends are encouraged to become Patrons of the Library by donating funds for the purchase of library materials. The Librarian maintains a list of materials from which the Patrons of the Library may choose an item that their donation will be used to purchase.
            The Queen Anne School Library Media Center welcomes the donation of books and other library materials. Donations are evaluated by the Librarian to determine if the materials meet selection requirements and if they are needed in the collection. Materials which are not added to the collection are generally added to the Used Book Sale and eventually either sold to a used book store (with the funds being used to purchase other materials for the library) or donated to The Book Thing (http://www.bookthing.org).
            Queen Anne School is happy to provide a receipt for donated materials, but the staff will not appraise the value of the donation. The Librarian will also will also send a “Thank You” note for all donations (for which the donor is known).

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Weeding of the Library Media Center collection:

            Removal of materials which do not support the Library Media Center’s goals, are inaccurate, dated, in poor condition, of outmoded formats, or otherwise no longer appropriate for the collection is an essential step in maintaining a current, useful and inviting collection. During the school year the Librarian will work to complete a general weeding of the entire collection. However this does not eliminate the need to remove items which are found to no longer appropriate for the collection, or the need for annual systematic weeding of specific sections of the collection beginning in the 2009-2010 school year.

The following schedule is suggested for sections to weed:

  • 2009-2010: Generalities (000s), Biographies (92), and Fiction (F & SC)
  • 2010-2011: Psychology & Philosophy (100s), Reference (REF), the Professional Collection (PROF) , and the Parents’ Collection (PAR)
  • 2011-2012: Religion (200s), Oversized books (OVR), and Fiction (F & SC)
  • 2012-2013: Social Sciences (300s) and Reference (REF)
  • 2013-2014: Languages (400s), Biographies (92), and Fiction (F & SC)
  • 2014-2015: Math & Sciences (500s), Reference (REF) and the Professional Collection (PROF)
  • 2015-2016: Technology/Applied Science (600s), Fiction (F & SC), and the Parents’ Collection (PAR)
  • 2016-2017: Arts & Leisure (700s), Reference (REF) and the Professional Collection (PROF)
  • 2017-2018: Literature (800s), Fiction (F & SC) and the Parents’ Collection
  • 2018-2019: History & Geography (900s) and Biographies (92)
  • 2019-2020: re-evaluate the weeding schedule and start the process over 

Removal of weeded items from the collection:

  • remove the item from the shelf
  • remove the item record from the electronic catalog
  • remove the card for the item from the accession catalog/shelf list
  • remove the card and pocket from the item, cross out or remove spine labels, QAS stamps, and other information indicating that the item is library material
  • add the item to the used book sale, donate to the Book Thing or recycle as appropriate

Resources for weeding decisions:

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Policy for re-evaluation of controversial materials:
           
            Queen Anne School recognizes the right of students to have access to books and other materials of sound factual content, representing a variety of points of view. The school also recognizes the right of an individual parent to request that his/her child not be required to read a book which has been found to be objectionable by the family. However, Queen Anne School does not believe that parents and community members should determine reading matter for students other than their own children. Therefore, any person who objects to a book or other item in the Library Media Center will be invited to submit a request in writing for re-evaluation of the item.
            A form based on the National Council of Teachers of English’s “Citizen’s Request for Reconsideration of a Work” is available in the Library Media Center and on the Library web site. The form is shown below or can opened as a Word document. For an item to be re-evaluated this form must be completed and returned to the Librarian. A committee consisting of the Librarian and two teachers, appointed by the Headmaster, will review the material and determine whether it meets the standards of the selection policy. The committee will report, in writing to the Headmaster. The Headmaster will review the re-evaluation form, the committee’s report, and any supporting material to make his decision.  After making his decision, the Headmaster will send a letter stating his decision to the person who submitted the request for re-evaluation.

Request for Reconsideration of Library Media Center Item

Type of media (book, DVD, etc.):__________________________________________________

Title: _________________________________________________________________________

Author/Producer: _______________________________________________________________

Publisher (if known): ____________________________________________________________

 


Request initiated by: ____________________________________________________________

Telephone: __________________________

E-mail: _____________________________

Address: ___________________________________________
           
            _____________________________________________

            _____________________________________________
Requestor of re-evaluation represents:
____ Himself/Herself
____ Organization or other group: __________________________________________________

1. Have you read, viewed or listened to the complete item?

____ Yes         ____ No

 

2. How did this item come to your attention? (assigned for a class, recommended by a faculty member, free selection, recommended by a friend, etc.)

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________
3. Have discussed this work with the Librarian or the teacher who assigned/recommended it? (If no please skip question 4)

____ Yes         ____ No

 

4. Did the general purpose for the use of the work, as described by the teacher or Librarian, seem a suitable one to you?

____Yes          ____ No

 

5. In what ways do you feel this item is unsuitable for Library’s collection?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

 

6. What do you understand to be the general student response to this item?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

 

7. Have you located reviews of this item?

____ Yes (please provide copies of the reviews or source information for the reviews)      
____ No (please skip question 9)

 

8. Would you like the Librarian to provide you with reviews concerning this item?

____ Yes         ____ No

 

9. What is the general evaluation of this item in the reviews you are aware of?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

10.  Is there any educational merit to the item?

_____ Yes       _____ No                    If yes, for what grade levels? ________________________

 

11. What would you like the Library to do about this work?

____ Not lend it to my child.

____ Remove this item from the Library collection.

____ Other -- Please explain:

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

 

12. In its place, what work would you recommend that would convey as valuable a picture and perspective of the subject treated?

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________

 

Signature _____________________________________________________________________

Date__________________________________________

This form is adapted from the National Council of Teachers of English’s “Citizen’s Request for Reconsideration of a Work”:
http://www.ncte.org/about/over/positions/category/cens/107616.htm

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