Adair County RII Library Media Center Policy Handbook

Approved by the Board of Education:  March 17, 1997
Revised and Approved:  January 19, 2004
 
Mission Statement
"Commitment to Excellence"

We believe that in a democratic society, education must help the student realize his or her worth as an individual and should lead him or her toward becoming a productive member of society. Strong emphasis must be placed upon democratic values which are important for an effective and satisfying personal and social life.

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Beliefs and Visions

The Adair County R-II Schools are committed to the ideals set forth in the Missouri Show-Me-Standards and supports the priorities of the Show-Me Improvement Plan.  As such, we recognize each student as a unique individual.  We believe that education should provide an opportunity for the maximum development of each individual within the limitations of his or her capacities.  We believe that the foundation of the district's educational program is based on the development of competencies in the basic fundamentals of reading, oral and written communication and mathematics. Students will gather, analyze and apply information and ideas; they will communicate effectively within and beyond the classroom; they will recognize and solve problems; and they will acquire the skills necessary to make decisions and act as responsible members of society.

It is, therefore, the responsibility of the Adair County R-II School District to provide an educational environment for children of the district which will foster and accelerate their intellectual, physical, social and career development.

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Instructional Media Centers/School Libraries
Goals and Objectives

The Board believes that it is the responsibility of the District’s library/media centers to provide materials that reflect the ideals and beliefs of religious, social, political, historical and ethnic groups, and their contributions to American and world cultures.  Materials will be selected which are related to and support the District’s curriculum.  Selection of and access to library/media materials will be based upon the contribution to the education program and the age appropriateness of the materials.

Source:  Board Policy Book Regulation 6310.  Adopted January 7, 2004.


Additional Note:  Library policies and objectives are aligned with the District’s Comprehensive School Improvement Plan and are designed to improve student performance on MAP tests.
 
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Philosophy

It is the philosophy of the librarian to adopt a program suitable for the growth of each student of the Adair County R-II School District and to help each student reach a level of proficiency in library usage according to each individual's needs and potential.

It is also concluded that reading and the use of a wide variety of resources shall include studies, classroom projects, and individual encouragement of reading for enjoyment as well as research.  Encouragement will be given to the students to exercise skills they have learned.

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Rationale

To meet these goals and objectives, library skills will be taught at appropriate age levels.

Student objectives are:
    1.    To know the location of materials and to have the skills to find them;
    2.    To select materials appropriate for their research; and
    3.    To do research with available resources.

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Intellectual Access

The library/media program serves as a point of access to information and ideas for students as they acquire critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students and educators served by the library/media program should have access to resources and services free of constraints resulting from artificial barriers. Artificial barriers should not prevent students from accessing and using resources except as defined by District policies and regulations, including but not limited to selection, acquisition and Internet usage policies and regulations.

Source:  Board Policy Book Regulation 6310.  Adopted January 7, 2004.
 
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School Library Bill of Rights for School Library Media Center Programs

Approved by American Association of School Librarians Board of Directors, Atlantic City, 1969.


The American Association of School Librarians reaffirms its belief in the Library Bill of Rights of the American Library Association.  Media personnel are concerned with generating understanding of American freedoms through the development of informed and responsible citizens.  To this end the American Association of School Librarians asserts that the responsibilities of the school library media center are:

To provide a comprehensive collection of instructional materials selected in compliance with basic written selection principles and to provide maximum accessibility to these materials.

To provide materials that will support the curriculum, taking into consideration the individual needs, varied interests, abilities, socio-economic backgrounds, and maturity levels of the students served.

To provide materials for teachers and students that will encourage growth in knowledge and that will develop literacy, cultural and aesthetic appreciation and ethical standards.

To provide materials which reflect the ideas and beliefs of religious, social, political, historical, and ethnic groups and the contributions to the American and world heritage and culture, thereby enabling students to develop an intellectual integrity in forming judgments.

To provide a written statement, approved by the local boards of education, of the procedures for meeting the challenge of censorship of materials in school library media centers.

To provide qualified professional personnel to serve teachers and students.
 
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Selection and Reconsideration of Materials

The district will obtain materials for the district’s media centers and libraries that are current, address the curriculum needs of district instructors and provide the learning resources needed by district students.  District librarians, teachers and administrators are responsible for the selection and reconsideration of materials for the district’s media centers and school libraries in accordance with the objectives listed in this regulation.  Suggestions for the selection and reconsideration of materials will be reviewed at least annually.  The superintendent or designee will adopt procedures as needed to accomplish the goals of this regulation.

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Objectives for the Selection of Library Materials

Library materials will be selected in accordance with the following objectives:

1.    Provide materials that will enrich and support the curriculum, taking into consideration the varied interests, abilities and maturity levels of the pupils served.

2.    Provide materials that will stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values and ethical standards.

3.    Provide background information that will enable students to make intelligent judgments in their daily lives.

4.    Provide materials on opposing sides of controversial issues so that young citizens may develop, under guidance, the practice of critical reading and thinking.

5.    Provide materials representative of the contributions of our American heritage from the many religious, ethnic and cultural groups.

6.    Place principle above personal opinion and reason above prejudice in the selection of materials of the highest quality in order to assure a comprehensive collection appropriate for the users of the library.

7.    Use existing special criteria for the selection of all kinds of materials, such as films, CDs, tapes and books, for all subject areas.  The general criteria that may be applied to all acquisitions are as follows:
·    Material should have permanent or timely values.
·    Information should be accurate
·    Material should be presented in a clear manner.
·    Material should be authoritative.
·    Material should have significance.

The above-mentioned criteria will also apply to the acceptance of any gift of materials or to the selection of materials purchased with a monetary gift from an individual or group.
Reconsideration

Library materials will be reconsidered, and if necessary, removed from district media centers and libraries in accordance with the following guidelines:

1.    The material is outdated or incorrect.

2.    A more thorough or more complete resource exists.

3.    The resource no longer supports the district’s curriculum objectives.

4.    The resource is not used by either staff or students.

5.    The resource is not recommended by district librarians, teachers or administrators.


Source:  Board Policy Book Regulation 6241.  Adopted January 7, 2004.

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Public Questions, Comments or Concerns Regarding District Instructional/Media/Library Materials

The Adair Country R-II School District Board of Education has the ultimate responsibility for establishing the curriculum and for purchasing instructional, media and library materials to be used by the district.  However, the Board recognizes that its authority to remove or censor materials because of ideological or religious content may be limited pursuant to state and federal law.

The Board encourages community input and comments regarding the district’s instructional, media and library materials and directs the district staff to answer all questions regarding the selection of the materials.  The superintendent or designee will create procedures to efficiently address community member questions or concerns and to provide for an adequate review of the materials, if necessary.


Source:  Board Policy Book Regulation 6241.  Adopted January 7, 2004.

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Request for Reconsideration of Materials

The school board of Adair County R-II School has delegated the responsibility for selection and evaluation of library/educational resources to the Library Media Specialist, and has established reconsideration procedures to address concerns about those resources. Completion of this form is the first step in those procedures. If you wish to request reconsideration of school or library resources, please return the completed form to the Library Media Specialist, Adair County R-II School, 205 West Dewey, Brashear, MO 63533.
Name         ___________________________    Date     ___________________________
Address        ___________________________
City/State/Zip    ___________________________
Phone         ___________________________
Do you represent self? ____ Organization? ____
1.    Resource on which you are commenting:
____ Book ____ Textbook ____ Video ____ Display ____ Magazine
____ Library Program ____ Audio Recording ____ Newspaper
____ Electronic information/network (please specify)
____ Other ___________________________
Title ___________________________ Author/Producer ___________________
2.    Have you examined the entire resource?         If not, what parts did you read/view?  Please be specific—cite page numbers.

3.    What concerns you about the resource? (use other side or additional pages if necessary)

4.    What would you like the school/library to do about this work?
Signature:______________________________    Date:_________________________________


Source:  Board Policy Book Regulation 6241.  Adopted January 7, 2004.

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Reconsideration Committee Action Form

When a challenge is received, a committee should be selected by the building principal that consists of a librarian, a teacher, himself/herself, a patron of the district and, if necessary, a district administrator.  One member should be designated as the chair of the reconsideration committee.  Members should be contacted by the chairperson to serve; meeting dates should be set; and copies of the challenged material acquired.

The reconsideration committee should do the following:

Committee recommendations:
Comments:



___________________________________        _______________________
Committee Chairperson                Date

Source:  Board Policy Book Regulation 6241.  Adopted January 7, 2004.

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Policy for Disposing of Weeded Library Media Center Books and/or Materials


Removing materials from the library that are no longer useful is important in maintaining a collection which is timely, reliable, and inviting.  The librarian will examine materials while doing the end of year inventory and during routing day-to-day circulation of materials.  Anything meeting the criteria for weeding will be withdrawn from library records and discarded.  If it is an item for which there is still a need, a replacement will be purchased; if a purchase is not possible at that time, it shall be added to the Teacher/Student Request List for future consideration.

Criteria for Materials to be Weeded

1.    Items which are soiled, damaged, or torn beyond repair.

2.      Items which are so outdated that they are useless.

3.      Items found to contain unreliable information or information which is no longer true.

Source:  Board Policy Book Regulation 6310.  Adopted January 7, 2004.

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Confidentiality Policy

The District recognizes the need for confidentiality of school library records.  Therefore, no person will release any library record of any student, faculty or other library user to any third party except as provided by law.


Source:  Board Policy Book Regulation 6310.  Adopted January 7, 2004.

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Reproduction of Copyrighted Materials

It is the intent of the Board to abide by the provisions of current copyright and intellectual property laws as they affect the school district and its employees.  The superintendent or designee will create procedures to train employees on the law and monitor district compliance.

Copyrighted materials, whether they are print or non-print, will not be duplicated, reproduced, distributed or displayed for district-sponsored activities or by using district equipment except in accordance with law.

Details about “fair use” and other relevant information regarding copyright law will be made available to all employees.  A summary of these standards will be posted or otherwise made easily available at each machine for making copies.

The Board does not sanction or condone illegal duplication, reproduction or distribution in any form.  It is the responsibility of all district staff to notify the superintendent or designee of any potential violation of law or policy.  Once notified of a violation, the superintendent or designee will take reasonable steps to remedy the violation.  Employees who violate this policy may be disciplined or terminated.  Students who violate this policy may be disciplined.  All persons who use district resources in violation of law may be prohibited from using district resources in the future and will assume liability for their actions.  The district may also seek other legal remedies.

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Copyright Infringement Using District Technology

All persons are prohibited from using district technology in violation of any law including copyright law.  Only appropriately licensed programs or software may be used with district technology.  Further, no person will use the district’s technology to post, publicize or duplicate information in violation of copyright law.  The Board directs the superintendent and/or designee to take all reasonable measures to prevent the use of district technology in violation of the law.  All persons using district technology in violation of law may lose their user privileges in addition to other sanctions.

If a content owner reasonably believes that the district’s technology has been used to infringe upon a copyright, the owner is encouraged to notify the following designated agent immediately:

The district will notify the U.S. Copyright Office of the designated agent’s identity.  Further, the district’s website will include information on how to contact the district’s designated agent and a copy of the district’s copyright policy.  Upon notification, the district’s designated agent will take all actions necessary to remedy any violation.  The district will provide the designated agent appropriate training and resources necessary to protect the district.

Source:  Board Policy Book Regulation 6243.  Adopted January 7, 2004.

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Copyright Statements

Computer Area

It is the policy of the Adair County R-II School District to conform to the existing copyright law.  Diskettes used on these machines must be used within the provisions of the copyright law.  For more information consult the handbook in the library.

VCR's

It is the policy of the Adair County R-II School District to conform to the existing copyright law.  Tapes, off-air, rental, or purchased, must be used within the guidelines of the copyright law, unless other arrangements are made with the copyright holder of the material or his/her agent.  For more information consult the handbook in the library.

Copiers

The copyright law of the United States governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials.  Photocopies or other reproductions can be furnished only under certain conditions--if they will be used solely for private study, scholarship or research.  Reproduction for other purposes may make the user liable for copyright infringement.  This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.

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TECHNOLOGY USAGE    FILE:  6320
(Student User Agreement)    

Name                             
                                   Please Print

As a user of the Adair County R-II Internet connection,

I UNDERSTAND
Ø    That the reason to use the Internet in the Adair County R-II School District is to promote educational excellence by facilitating resource sharing, innovation, collaboration and communication;
Ø    That although there is material of questionable value or controversial content available on the Internet, the educational benefits of access to its resources outweigh the risks;
Ø    That my use of an Internet account is a privilege, not a right, and that inappropriate or inadequate use may result in cancellation;
Ø    That the Adair County R-II School District will not be responsible for any damages I incur while using the account; this includes loss of data, delays, service interruptions, inaccurate data;
Ø    That I will be barred from use of the Internet or be referred to the principal for disciplinary action if I violate these guidelines;
Ø    That the rules governing student usage may be changed from time to time.

I WILL NOT
Ø    Use the Internet to transmit or receive any material in violation of any law; this includes copyrighted material threatening material, obscene material; or anything protected by trade laws;
Ø    Use the Internet for product or service advertisement or political purposes;
Ø    Use the Internet for any illegal activity;
Ø    Use the Internet for any purpose not sanctioned by my teacher;
Ø    Harm or destroy computer equipment or data of another user or network; this includes creating or spreading computer viruses.

I WILL
Ø    Promote the wholesome educational use of the Internet according to the policies of the Adair County R-II School District;
Ø    Use the Internet for educational purposes only.

I have read the Adair County R-II School District Technology Usage policy, regulation and netiquette guidelines and agree to abide by their provisions.  I understand that violation of these provisions may result in disciplinary action taken against me including, but not limited to, suspension or revocation of my access to district technology and suspension or expulsion from school.

I understand that my use of the district’s technology is not private and that the school district may monitor my use of district technology including, but not limited to, accessing browser logs, e-mail logs and any other history of use.  I consent to district interception of or access to all communications I send, receive or store using the district’s technology resources, pursuant to state and federal law, even if the district’s technology resources are accessed remotely.

                                                
Signature of Student                        Date

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General Circulation Guidelines

Approved and adopted by Board of Education November 19, 1991.

1.     No reference books or magazines will be checked out of the library to students to     
        take home.  Reference books may be checked out for periods of one hour only to
        use at school.

2.     Magazines will be used in the library or the teacher may check them out and be responsible for their return.

3.     All audio-visual materials will be checked out to the faculty.  Time will be determined by the need of other teachers.

4.     Reserve books will be set aside for your particular class if a list is submitted and the library has the books.

5.     Books checked out by the faculty will have no definite due date; however, they remain out of circulation to students who
        may need to use them.  Please return  them as soon as you have finished with them.

6.     If you have suggested requisitions for use by the students in the library, please feel free to submit them for consideration at
        the next purchase time.

7.     Story hours for the elementary classes are scheduled.  High school teachers, please schedule with the librarian.  We will try
        to collect the books and let you check them out or schedule you as time permits.

8.     Please do not send a large number of students at a time.  Our facilities are crowded.  We will do the best we can to work
        with you.  SCHEDULE!

9.     If a student comes to the library to study, or while you are testing, or to make up a test, either send a note or word so that         I will know the reason for his/her being there.

10.    Books are checked out to students for two weeks.  They may be renewed.  Overdue books accumulate fines at the rate          of $0.05 per school day.  These must be paid before grade cards are issued.  Students must pay for lost or
         destroyedbooks—new books, new price; older books, prorated.

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Library Course Description
Kindergarten – Twelfth Grade

Kindergarten through Sixth Grade has scheduled library times.  Kindergarten comes two times a week first semester, and three times a week during second semester.  First Grade comes twice a week throughout the year.  Third Grade comes three times a week first semester, then comes twice a week during second semester.  All the other classes have three class sessions per week in the library.  All class sessions last for twenty-five minutes.

Each class will be exposed to library skills appropriate for their age level.  Classes will also be exposed to a wide range of printed materials and stories during story time.  Whenever possible the classroom teacher will be allowed to recommend story material to correlate with classroom units.  Second through Sixth Grades will have check in/out time scheduled during one of their class sessions throughout the year.  First Grade will begin checking in/out books at the beginning of second semester.  Kindergarten has a library in their classroom that they can use for check in/out.

Junior high and senior high students will be allowed to use the library as needed, before, during and after school hours.  Help will be supplied, as needed, on an individual basis.  Students may use the library individually or as part of a classroom setting.

Reference materials may be checked out of the Library Media Center as the teacher deems useful.  All of the elementary rooms have a set of World Books.  All of the high school classrooms are also equipped with a set of encyclopedias.

Teachers may schedule extra library time for their students to conduct research.  A calendar is kept on the counter, and scheduling must be done in advance to accommodate use of the library by the entire school.  Any student may use the library before school, or after school by appointment.

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