Work with faculty to systematically integrate research skills and literacy enrichment.
Explore Learning Commons Concept with Staff and Administration. See article Flip It!
Complete Research Skills Scope/Sequence
Finish inventory
Present mini classes to faculty (databases, ebooks, research skills, web literacy)
Library Policies and Procedures
Selection Policy
No one person alone is equal to the task of choosing materials for all levels of reading ability, maturity, interest, as well as curricular needs. In view of this fact, the widest possible participation of professional personnel in selection is encouraged. The teacher is in a position to know the curricular and individual abilities of the students. Students are encouraged to suggest titles related to their personal and curricular needs and interests, and parents, too, can recommend materials for purchase.
Staff members and administrators involved in selection of resource materials shall use the following criteria as a guide:
educational significance
contribution the subject matter makes to the curriculum and to the interests of the students
favorable reviews found in standard selection sources
favorable recommendations based on preview and examination of materials by professional personnel
reputation and significance of the author, producer and publisher
validity, currency, and appropriateness of material
contribution the material makes to breath of representative viewpoints on controversial issues
high degree of potential user appeal
high artistic quality and/or literary style
quality and variety of format
value commensurate with cost and/or need
timeliness or permanence
integrity
The following recommended lists shall be consulted in the selection of materials, but selection is not limited to their listings.
a. Bibliographies (latest editions available, including supplements) American Historical Fiction The Best in Children's Books Children and Books Children's Catalog Elementary School Library Collection European Historical Fiction and Biography Guide to Sources in Educational Media Junior High School Catalog Reference Books for School Libraries Subject Guide to Children's Books in Print b. Current reviewing media: American Film & Video Association Evaluations Booklist Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Horn Book Kirkus Reviews School Library Journal The following criteria will be used as they apply.
Learning resources shall support and be consistent with the general educational goals of the school.
Learning resources shall meet high standards of quality in factual content and presentation.
Learning resources shall be appropriate for the subject area and for the age, emotional development, ability level, learning styles and social development of the students for whom the materials are selected.
Physical format and appearance of learning resources shall be suitable for their intended use.
Learning resources shall be designed to help students gain an awareness of our pluralistic society.
Learning resources shall be designed to motivate students and staff to examine their own duties, responsibilities, rights and privileges as participating citizens in our society.
Learning resources shall be selected for their strengths rather than rejected for their weaknesses.
In the end, the librarians know the holdings of the libraries, have the ultimate responsibility of maintaining a balanced collection, and make the final decision in selection based on evaluative criteria.
The upper school librarian will be responsible for selecting materials for grades 6-12, while the lower school librarian will be responsible for selecting materials for grades PreK-5.
It should be emphasized that materials should be considered as a whole when judging usefulness and desirability. The total effect should be the deciding factor rather than isolated references.
The selection of materials is a continuous process because of the changing curriculum and the publishing of new materials in a variety of new formats. Selection is based on established bibliographies and on reviews in reputable professional selection aids such as School Library Journal, Booklist, and The Book Report. The collection is periodically checked against recommended holdings suggested in the appropriate tools such as Children’s Catalogue, Junior High School Library Catalogue, Senior High School Library Catalogue, Core Media Collection of Elementary Schools, and Core Media Collection for Secondary Schools. Additional suggestions come from visits to conference book exhibits and displays, examination of local bookstore stock, reading lists, etc.
The foremost consideration for the selection of any material is whether it contributes to the enrichment of the curriculum and meets the individual needs of the students and teachers of a particular school. These criteria may be applied in the selection of print and non-print materials for purchase, for acceptance of gifts, or for determining whether the materials now on the shelves should be withdrawn.
Needs of the individual school based on:
Knowledge of the curriculum
Requests from administrators and teachers
The existing collection
Needs of the individual student based on knowledge of children and youth, requests of parents and students, and staff
Provision of a wide range of materials including: all areas of the curriculum, all reading ranges from non-reader to adult.
Foreign languages that are offered as ASW classes will be supported. These include: French, Dutch, Spanish, Polish, German, and Swedish
Special classes including music, art, PE, and drama
Professional resource materials for staff
The needs of ESL students
Special learning needs
Diversity of appeal
Popular Fiction
Books which have received international awards
Up-to-date materials
Accuracy in terms of the latest scientific knowledge, history, and technology
The materials on controversial issues should be representative of a particular point of view and a sincere effort made to select equally representative materials covering contrasting points of view.
The material does not unfairly, inaccurately, or viciously ridicule a particular race, ethnic group, or religion. A writer’s expression of a certain point of view is not to be considered a disparagement when it represents the historical or contemporary views held by some person or groups.
The materials on religion are chosen to explain rather than convince and are selected to represent the field as widely as necessary for school purposes.
The selection of materials on political theories and ideologies, or on public issues, should be based on sound factual authority and literary merit and directed toward maintaining a balanced collection representing various views. In a literary work of established quality, the use of profanity or the treatment of sex is not itself an adequate reason for eliminating or restricting the material from the library.
Materials on physiology, physical maturation or personal hygiene should be accurate and relevant to curriculum areas or meet the practical need for information of the students who use them.
Science materials should be selected according to their unbiased, objective and authoritative treatment of fact or theory, and not in relation to apparent agreement or conflict with moral or ethical judgments of ideological groups.
Different formats should be available such as Large print materials, ebooks, Newspapers in both English and Polish, Magazines in English, Polish, and other languages taught at ASW, Videos in English, Polish, and other languages taught at ASW
Provision of materials of high literary and artistic quality.
Provision of materials with superior format.
Reconsideration Policy
Despite the care taken to select appropriate and valuable materials and the qualifications of the persons involved in the selection, occasional objections to the suitability of a particular book or other material may be made. In such cases, the principles of the freedom to read and the professional responsibility of the staff must be defended rather than the specific materials. The school has no obligation to remove material from use during the review process.
Parents and/or guardians requesting permission to examine materials may examine them in either library in such a way so as not to disrupt the normal operation of the school. If a complaint is made, the procedure is as follows:
School personnel are to be courteous to the complainant, make no commitment, advise the complainant to arrange a conference with the principal, and notify the principal of the complaint.
It is the complainant’s responsibility to arrange a conference with the principal.
At this conference, the principal invites the complainant to file his/her objections in writing on the Request for Reconsideration of School Materials form.
A complainant who does not complete and return the form receives no further consideration.
Upon receipt of the completed form, the principal requests a review of the challenged material by the school Library Review Committee, which will include representation from library personnel, administration, teachers, parents, and when appropriate, students. When a textbook or other curricular material is being challenged, the principal should make certain that appropriate grade/subject area representatives are included on the committee. (standing committee?)
The committee must meet within two (2) weeks and reach a decision within four (4) weeks. Its meetings do not need to be public, but the contesting parties should be allowed to attend as observers only. The principal will notify the Director that such review is being conducted.
The committee takes the following steps after receiving the challenged materials:
Reads the book, views, or listens to the material in its entirety and completes the appropriate checklist
Checks general acceptance of the material by reading reviews and consulting recommended lists;
Determines the extent to which the material supports the needs of the school;
Meets as a group and jointly completes the checklist which is then given to the principal.
Upon receipt of the checklist, the principal conveys the decision of the committee to the complainant and notifies the librarian and the Director.
The next level of appeal will be to the Director.
The final level of appeal will be to the Board.
Weeding Policy
The materials in both libraries will be evaluated periodically for the purpose of discarding, binding, or repair of materials to keep a balanced, attractive, useful and usable collection. Systematic removal of materials no longer useful is essential to maintain the quality of library collections. Discarding is as important as the original selection and subject to “weeding” criteria which include:
1. Materials that are in poor physical condition 2. Materials that are out-of-date or contain misinformation 3. Materials that have not been circulated in the past five to seven years unless they are standard works or subjects on which the library has little information 4. Materials that relate to subject matter that is no longer a part of the curriculum or of interest to the users 5. Materials beyond the comprehension of library users or too simple to have real appeal 6. Textbooks which are not useful for reference 7. Periodicals that are over two years old. Some discarded magazines will be clipped for the vertical file; others will be placed in classrooms or other appropriate locations.
In reviewing what materials to withdraw from the collection, special consideration will be given to:
1. Materials dealing with Poland 2. Materials that are included in a current standard core bibliography. In some cases new editions of books will have to be purchased.
Parents can check out up to six books for three weeks.
When a book is needed by a student or teacher, the library will request that you return the book immediately.
Overdue notices will be sent via email.
Parents will be billed for all damaged or lost books and magazines Lost item fees
Book - 70 PLN each
Magazine - 15 PLN each Library hours
Monday - Thursday 7:30 -16:30; Friday and day before holiday 7:30 -16:00.
Parents are welcome in the library before and after school. Library computers: Use of library computers is prioritized for students
Kindle User Agreement
The Kindle Reader is made available for authorized use to students in Grades 4 and 5 at the American School of Warsaw. Students are responsible for the safe, appropriate operation and care of the Kindle. Expectations for the use of the Kindle are as follows:
The Kindle is for educational purposes.
The student may not install anything on the Kindle.
The Kindle should be in its case whenever transported from one location to another.
Kindles should not be left unattended.
The student must immediately report to the library any problems with the Kindle. NO attempt should be made to repair the Kindle.
The student and parents/guardians accept full responsibility for the return of the Kindle and power cord in good condition at the end of the checkout period.
If the Kindle is stolen or lost, the student or parent/guardian should immediately notify the ASW Library.
Careless and / or willful and/or malicious damage to the Kindle will result in a reimbursement for repairs and/or replacement cost of the Kindle, the power cords, or the case. Damage includes, but is not limited to, physical damage and/or unauthorized alterations to the Kindle.
The student and parent/guardian will be held financially liable for loss or theft of the Kindle. Failure to discharge any financial obligation may result in a hold being placed upon report cards, transcripts, diplomas, or the transfer of records.
Failure to abide by the terms of this contract will include one or more of the following actions:
Parents will be contacted
Meet with Librarian and Principal
Conference with parents and teacher
Cost of repair/replacement
ACCEPTANCE
Student and parent signatures on the Kindle User Agreement will indicate acceptance of the terms of this contract and their agreement to abide by all the rules in the American School of Warsaw’s Responsible Use policy.
Goals
2010-11
Library Policies and Procedures
Selection Policy
No one person alone is equal to the task of choosing materials for all levels of reading ability, maturity, interest, as well as curricular needs. In view of this fact, the widest possible participation of professional personnel in selection is encouraged. The teacher is in a position to know the curricular and individual abilities of the students. Students are encouraged to suggest titles related to their personal and curricular needs and interests, and parents, too, can recommend materials for purchase.Staff members and administrators involved in selection of resource materials shall use the following criteria as a guide:
The following recommended lists shall be consulted in the selection of materials, but selection is not limited to their listings.
a. Bibliographies (latest editions available, including supplements)
American Historical Fiction
The Best in Children's Books
Children and Books
Children's Catalog
Elementary School Library Collection
European Historical Fiction and Biography
Guide to Sources in Educational Media
Junior High School Catalog
Reference Books for School Libraries
Subject Guide to Children's Books in Print
b. Current reviewing media:
American Film & Video Association Evaluations
Booklist
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
Horn Book
Kirkus Reviews
School Library Journal
The following criteria will be used as they apply.
In the end, the librarians know the holdings of the libraries, have the ultimate responsibility of maintaining a balanced collection, and make the final decision in selection based on evaluative criteria.
The upper school librarian will be responsible for selecting materials for grades 6-12, while the lower school librarian will be responsible for selecting materials for grades PreK-5.
It should be emphasized that materials should be considered as a whole when judging usefulness and desirability. The total effect should be the deciding factor rather than isolated references.
The selection of materials is a continuous process because of the changing curriculum and the publishing of new materials in a variety of new formats. Selection is based on established bibliographies and on reviews in reputable professional selection aids such as School Library Journal, Booklist, and The Book Report. The collection is periodically checked against recommended holdings suggested in the appropriate tools such as Children’s Catalogue, Junior High School Library Catalogue, Senior High School Library Catalogue, Core Media Collection of Elementary Schools, and Core Media Collection for Secondary Schools. Additional suggestions come from visits to conference book exhibits and displays, examination of local bookstore stock, reading lists, etc.
The foremost consideration for the selection of any material is whether it contributes to the enrichment of the curriculum and meets the individual needs of the students and teachers of a particular school. These criteria may be applied in the selection of print and non-print materials for purchase, for acceptance of gifts, or for determining whether the materials now on the shelves should be withdrawn.
Reconsideration Policy
Despite the care taken to select appropriate and valuable materials and the qualifications of the persons involved in the selection, occasional objections to the suitability of a particular book or other material may be made. In such cases, the principles of the freedom to read and the professional responsibility of the staff must be defended rather than the specific materials. The school has no obligation to remove material from use during the review process.Parents and/or guardians requesting permission to examine materials may examine them in either library in such a way so as not to disrupt the normal operation of the school. If a complaint is made, the procedure is as follows:
Weeding Policy
The materials in both libraries will be evaluated periodically for the purpose of discarding, binding, or repair of materials to keep a balanced, attractive, useful and usable collection. Systematic removal of materials no longer useful is essential to maintain the quality of library collections. Discarding is as important as the original selection and subject to “weeding” criteria which include:1. Materials that are in poor physical condition
2. Materials that are out-of-date or contain misinformation
3. Materials that have not been circulated in the past five to seven years unless they are standard works or subjects on which the library has little information
4. Materials that relate to subject matter that is no longer a part of the curriculum or of interest to the users
5. Materials beyond the comprehension of library users or too simple to have real appeal
6. Textbooks which are not useful for reference
7. Periodicals that are over two years old. Some discarded magazines will be clipped for the vertical file; others will be placed in classrooms or other appropriate locations.
In reviewing what materials to withdraw from the collection, special consideration will be given to:
1. Materials dealing with Poland
2. Materials that are included in a current standard core bibliography. In some cases new editions of books will have to be purchased.
ASW Library
Parent Check-Out Policy
Check-out limits
Parents can check out up to six books for three weeks.
When a book is needed by a student or teacher, the library will request that you return the book immediately.
Overdue notices will be sent via email.
Parents will be billed for all damaged or lost books and magazines
Lost item fees
Book - 70 PLN each
Magazine - 15 PLN each
Library hours
Monday - Thursday 7:30 -16:30; Friday and day before holiday 7:30 -16:00.
Parents are welcome in the library before and after school.
Library computers: Use of library computers is prioritized for students
Kindle User Agreement
The Kindle Reader is made available for authorized use to students in Grades 4 and 5 at the American School of Warsaw. Students are responsible for the safe, appropriate operation and care of the Kindle. Expectations for the use of the Kindle are as follows:
ACCEPTANCE
Student and parent signatures on the Kindle User Agreement will indicate acceptance of the terms of this contract and their agreement to abide by all the rules in the American School of Warsaw’s Responsible Use policy.
Student Signature _
Parent Signature __
Revised: Nov. 14, 2011