1. S.L. Mason Elementary School Selection Policy (Revised 2007)
By: Laurie Roberts
Philosophy/ Goals
The mission of the Valdosta City School Media Centers is to provide materials and
services to students and staff that support and enhance the implementation of curriculum.
1) To stimulate and guide students in all phases of their reading that they may
become lifelong readers and learners.
2) To provide resources which enable students to understand and appreciate the
value of cultural diversity.
3) To provide resources that develop skills needed to become a responsible,
productive and technologically literate member of society.
4) To promote instructional partnerships with teachers in the learning process.
5) To build a cooperative partnership between school, parents, and community.
* I think the philosophy/ goals are ok. I think that they state everything that they need to
according to Bishop Ch.6. No additions or corrections need to be made.
Selection Objective
Instructional media materials (print and non-print) and equipments will be selected,
acquired, and used to implement the philosophy and educational goals of the school
system and to support the learning activities designed for students.
• Since it states that the materials will be used to implement the philosophy and
educational goals of the school system, I think that this objective is ok. The goals
really are specific. No additions need to be made to this policy.
Responsibility for Selection
Selection of media materials and equipment will be done by a process that cooperatively
involves teachers, administrators, media specialists, community representatives, parents
and students.
* There is nothing in the policy that states who will have the final say so. This needs to be
added, so that there is no confusion. I know that from talking to the media specialist, that
she has the final say so of the committee decisions and then it goes to the Purchasing
Department.
School library media specialists are responsible for the review, evaluation, and selection
of the school library media collection. They are guided by the system-level selection
policy that embodies the philosophy and procedures set forth in national, state, and
county documents. Library media specialists work cooperatively with administrators and
teachers to provide resources which represent diverse points of view, stimulate growth in
thinking skills, and promote the overall educational program. Library media collections
are developed to meet both curricular and personal needs. To ensure that these needs are
met, library media specialists apply selection criteria and use recommended selection
tools. All purchases, including gifts, should meet the same selection standards.

2. School Media Committee
Each principal shall annually appoint the School Media Committee in consultation with
the Media Specialist. The membership may include the principal, the media specialist(s),
teachers from each department or grade level, students, parents, and a CPIE
representative. District variations may be evident in the role of each school media
committee due to the differences in school programs or populations. However, each
committee will, at a minimum: develop systematic plans for media services; recommend
purchasing priorities for quality media and equipment to promote maximum utilization of
materials, equipment and media facilities to support learning; and respond, through
established procedures, to formal complaint(s) regarding instructional media at the school
level.
Criteria for Selection
Our policy has an extensive list of criteria that they follow when purchasing materials.
The following is the list without the annotations under each criteria:
Authority
Scope
Format and Technical Quality
Authenticity
Price
Appropriateness and Suitability
Variety
They also include professional materials and gifts. It states that gifts shall be subject to
the same criteria as those for purchased media.
* I think that the current criteria is sufficient enough and no additions need to be made. It
is pretty close to bishop’s criteria list.
Procedures for selection
Teacher Recommendations
Communication with teachers to assess curriculum needs and recommendations for
purchase is an important part of the selection process. Since the library media collection
is an integral part of the instructional and learning process, the strength and value of the
collection are ensured when teachers are actively involved in the selection process. A
sample form is included at the end of this document.
Student and Parent Recommendations
Suggestions from students and parents is also an important part of the selection process.
As students seek information for curricular purposes or use the library media center for
personal interests, students and parents are encouraged to make recommendations of
specific resources or subject areas where information is needed. A sample form is
included at the end of this document.
Professional Review Journals

3. The following online sources are recommended as tools to locate reviews. Most are
considered professional review journals, e.g. Booklist, Booklinks, Multicultural Book
Reviews, and School Library Journal; however, some are considered general popular
review sources. Keep this in mind when using these sources. Many of the sources listed
below are available for purchase on the Periodicals Catalog.
Review Resources
• The ALAN Review
• Amazon.com General; Children; Teens
• Barnes and Noble
• Book Links
• The Book Reporter
• BookReview.com
• Booklist Online
• The BookPage
• BookWire
• Boston Book Review
• Bulletin of the Center for
Children's Books
• Caldecott Medal Home Page
• Carol Hurst's Children's Literature
• Children's Book Reviews (National Parenting Center)
• Children's Books
• Childrens Literature Web Guide
• Coretta Scott King Award Home
• Education Review
• Educational Software Review
• Follett TITLEWAVE
• Multicultural Book Reviews
• Newbery Medal Home Page
• Neverending Stories
• Notes from the Windowsill
• Teen Reading (YALSA)
• World of Reading (reviews by children)
• Young Adult Books
* I think that this section from is a good section to add to our current policy. It states
nothing about this.

4. Reconsideration of Media Center Material
Careful evaluation and selection of media by qualified school personnel does not insure
acceptance by all segments of the school community. Therefore, occasional complaints
may be made concerning appropriateness. The Valdosta City Schools recognize
individual students’ rights, and that the system also respects the right to questions
selection procedures. There are eight steps and things that need to be done before a
complaint is considered.
* The current policy is adequate and has an extensive list about how to go about
reconsidering materials. It states everything in there about what to do and how to do it. I
think that this part of the policy is very specific and should be left alone.
Weeding Policy
The weeding policy states that it is a continuous process which insures that only materials
which are usable, reliable, in good condition, and up-to-date (depending on subject area)
are shelved. Care is taken to see that materials are appropriate to and supportive of the
existing and change school program. There are three obvious categories of materials that
should be discarded; materials which are worn and damaged, superseded editions, and
unnecessary duplications. Other materials should be candidates for discarding are ones
which are outdated or inaccurate in content, are inappropriate in reading level or interest
of students, are no longer in demand, or are no longer supporting the curriculum.
Materials that have not circulated in three to five years will also be considered.
* This weeding policy includes everything that is needs. I do not think that any additions
need to be made. It covers all areas for weeding a book.