Johnson County Board of Education's Selection Policy

The School District Board of Education will provide a wide range of instructional material on all levels of difficulty as well as diverse materials.

While selecting materials to adopt the Board will provide for the following:

1. A comprehensive collection of materials that will enhance the curriculum, including multicultural materials, and to provide maximum accessibility to these materials.
2. The Library Media Center will:

   a.  provide easy access to information for staff and students.

   b.  stimulate interest in literature and reading.

   c.  promote lifelong learning skills.

   d.  provide opportunities to experience technology.

3. The librarian will be involved in the selection process using input from the faculty.  Parents and students will have the opportunity to give suggestions on new materials.
4. The librarian will select and order materials with the approval of the administration.
5. The Media Center will include print and non-print materials, periodicals, multi-media, audio-visual equipment and necessary hardware for the use of those materials.
6. Reputable, professionally prepared selection aids are to be followed such as Booklist, School Library Journal, Elementary School Library Collection and professional journals which contain non-commercial reviews.
7. Selection should be consistent with the goals and objectives of the instructional program based on knowledge of the students and teachers to be served.  Materials made available to preview by producers will be considered.  They are to be evaluated and examined before purchase.  Quality shall outweigh quantity and price.  This selection policy shall be re-evaluated every five years.
8. Areas of the collection will be enhanced according to textbook selection on a rotation basis.  Materials will be added when a specific need is seen or old materials have been discarded, and as school enrollment increases.
9. Selections shall be made with a knowledge of the collection and demand of the curriculum.  This shall be a continuous process throughout the year.
10. Gift materials are to be judged by the discretion of the librarian based on established selection policies.  Out-of-date, worn, and no longer useful items are to be withdrawn from the collection and made available for teacher or student use in the classrooms.  This shall be a continuous process.
11. The Library Media Center will provide materials for Accelerated Reader and Reading Buddies.  The school library will cooperate with the local public library in the summer reading program.
12. Selection of material that are possibly controversial:

    Profanity:  The use of profanity shall not automatically disqualify a book.  The decision shall be made on the basis of whether the book opens a clearer vision of life or develops understanding of other people, and whether the book is of literary value.

    Sex:  Materials that deal with human growth and development shall be selected that are appropriate for their quality and for the understanding of the students.

    Religion:  Materials shall be provided which are representative of the many religious and cultural groups.  Only well-written books and materials that make no attempt to sway the emotions of the students toward or against any one faith or denomination shall be included in the collection.

    Drugs:  materials of an educational nature on drugs on the level of the reader shall be included.  Materials presenting pleasurable effects of drug use or stating methods of taking or administrating drugs or narcotics shall be excluded.

13. The guideline established in this selection policy shall be a continuous process.

Challenge of Controversial Instructional Materials - To challenge material that has already been placed in the library media center, please fill out this form and return it to your library.

The Committee to review challenged books will be comprised of the school principal, a supervisor from Central Office, a parent and a teacher.

JCHS Selection Committee:  Lisa Arnold, Principal; Mischelle Simcox, Supervisor of Secondary and Student Services; Dana Smith, teacher; , parent.