1. Policies and Procedures Manual
Introduction
This manual was designed to aid the librarian, administrators, faculty, and staff on the
policies and procedures of the library. This policy and procedures manual will support
teaching and learning in the library by:
• providing clear guidelines for the library patrons (teachers and students)
• providing an understanding of the day to day functions of the library
• fostering an understanding of the different aspects of the library (i.e. materials
selection, circulation of materials, right to privacy, etc).
• helping the library run smoothly, and
• increasing the functionality of the library media center.
Mission Statement
The mission of the library media center is to:
• promote life-long reading and learning, both for pleasure and for information
• to be a valuable resource for the school staff and the school community
• to provide collaboration with staff to create authentic learning for all students
• to provide quality resources and instruction to students and staff
• foster information literacy

2. Materials Selection
Materials are selected to fit the current curriculum for Pre-K through 5 th grade. They are
also selected based on the needs and interests of the students as well as the different
learning styles and intelligences of the student body and should include different forms
or genres and varying points of view. Each item should be evaluated on its significance
as an entire work rather than upon the merit of individual parts. The following
procedures should be followed when selecting materials:
• Read current reviews in professional journals of the material
• Have 3 other professional librarians read and review the materials
• Ensure that the material is relevant to the school curriculum
• Ensure that the material meets the needs and interests of the school
All materials, whether purchased by the library or donated to it, are evaluated in
accordance with these procedures.
Circulation of Materials
Every student, Kindergarten through 5th grade will be allowed to check out books from
the library once a week. Grades 2nd through 5th are allowed to come to the library during
open checkout. First grade will be allowed to come to open checkout during the second
semester. Each grade level has a different amount of books they can checkout at a
time. The procedures are as follows:
• Kindergarten students are allowed to checkout one book every week.
• 1st grade students are allowed to check out one book a week. After Winter
Break, they will be allowed to checkout up to 3 books-2 on their AR level and 1
free choice book.
• 2nd through 5th grade students can check out up to 4 books a week, 3 on their AR
level and 1 free choice book.

3. There is no charge for overdue books. If a book is damaged, there will be a fine
incurred. If a student has a fine on their account, they will not be able to check out the
maximum amount of books for their grade level. They will be able to check out only one
book each week until the fine is paid in full.
Challenges to Materials
No one has the right to restrict the freedom of others to read whatever they wish. No
book or other material in question is automatically removed from the collection because
of an objection to it. Examination and reconsideration of materials, if necessary, will be
handled as outlined in these procedures:
• Challenge requests may be made by teachers and/or parents, and should be
made by filling out the Request for Reconsideration Form and given to the
Library Director, who will present the challenge to the Library Committee.
• The Library Committee (comprised of the Library Director, an elementary, a
middle school, and a high school librarian) must then read, listen to, or view the
material in question and discuss the literary value of the material.
• Once the literary value has been weighed, the Committee will then make their
final decision.
• If the final decision is appealed, it must be taken to the School Board for
reconsideration.
If a book is not reconsidered for removal, it will remain on the shelves of the library for
others to checkout and read as they see fit.
Weeding Materials
In order to maintain the best possible collection of materials, a continual weeding
process takes place. Items are discarded if they are outdated, if they no longer circulate,
if there are more duplicate copies than needed, or if they are in poor physical condition.
Weeding is an ongoing process throughout the school year and can be accomplished
one collection at a time or at least 5% of the collection. The procedures for weeding are
as follows:

4. • The librarian will use his/her best professional judgment and knowledge of the
curriculum, collection, and the clientele to determine if a book should be weeded
from the collection.
• The librarian will use the expertise of the faculty in determining if the
book/material should be weeded.
• The librarian will consider other factors for weeding, including, but not limited to,
record of use, currency and accuracy of content, technical quality, biased or
portrays stereotypes, inappropriate reading level, outdated, unattractive format,
design, graphics, illustrations, and not selected in accordance with general
collection criteria.
• The weeded materials will be stored in the library storage for a year and then it
will be removed from the campus and taken to the district warehouse for proper
disposal.
Right to Privacy
The library does not make available the records of student transactions to any party
except in compliance with the law. The library does not make available lists of
registered students except in compliance with the law. A student and/or parent must
present the student’s ID number before any information will be given concerning items
checked out, items overdue, or fine information. Address, phone numbers, or any other
personal information from a student’s record may not be given out without direct
consent of the Library Director.
Internet Access
The use of technology is highly encouraged. The library provides access for all of its
students to the Internet, and through it, to the unlimited resources available on the
Internet. These resources are to be used primarily in collaboration with teacher-directed
classroom study, including classroom activities, and personal research. In addition,
students may explore and research many fields of study independently using the
library’s computers and Internet. Some guidelines to adhere to are as follows:
• Access to or transmission of materials that violate federal or state laws, including
but not limited to copyrighted materials, threatening, racist, sexist, or obscene
materials, materials that are password or access-code restricted, are prohibited.
• Students may not use the library’s Internet to engage in any disruptive or illegal
act, including, but not limited to unauthorized access to password protected sites,
gambling, cyber bullying, and file sharing.

5. Each student is required to have the Acceptable Use Policy Form filled out by their
parents. If this form is not turned in to the student’s teacher, the student cannot have
internet access or use any other form of technology. The use of the Internet is not
private and should not be regarded as such. The use of the Internet is a privilege, not a
right. If the student abuses their privilege to use the Internet, they will loose it for the
remainder of the school year.
Sources List
Cassville R-IV School District. (2005). Library Policies and Procedures. Retrieved
November 25, 2012, from
http://cassville.k12.mo.us/vnews/display.v/ART/4ede618ba1e39#Introduction
Coffee County Board of Education Library Media Center. (2001). Policies and
Procedures Manual. Retrieved November 25, 2012, from
http://alex.state.al.us/libmedia/sites/alex.state.al.us.libmedia/files/Coffee
%20CountyPolicy%20Manual%20-%20updated.pdf
Indian Prairie Community Unit School District 204. (2006). Library Media Center
Policy and Procedure Manual. Retrieved November 25, 2012, from
http://clow.ipsd.org/documents/lmc_manual_revisions/LMC_Procedure_Manual.pdf
St. Helena High School. (2011). St. Helena High School Library Policies and
Procedures. Retrieved November 25, 2012, from
http://www.sthelena.k12.ca.us/cms/lib6/CA01000647/Centricity/Domain/259/Library_Pol
icies_and_Procedures__Internet_Use_Agreement__2011-2012.pdf