Policy 6163.1 - Library Media Center

Library Media Centers

The Board of Education recognizes that school libraries support the educational program by providing access to a variety of informational and supplemental resources that can help raise the academic achievement of all students. The Board of Education desires that school libraries be stocked with up-to-date books, reference materials, and electronic resources that promote literacy, support academic standards, and prepare students to become lifelong learners.

The Superintendent or designee may, in consultation with teacher librarians, classroom teachers, administrators, parents/guardians, and students as appropriate, develop and regularly update a plan for school libraries that describes the district's goals for school libraries and how funds will be distributed to school sites to support libraries. As appropriate, the plan may also address staffing, facilities, selection and evaluation of materials, the development and maintenance of classroom libraries, prevention of loss or damage of library materials, prioritization of needs, and other related matters. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that the library plan is aligned with the district's local control and accountability plan and other district and school plans.

Staffing

To staff school libraries, the district may employ one or more teacher librarians who possess appropriate credentials issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing.

The Superintendent or designee may assign teacher librarians to perform the following duties in accordance with the authorizations of their credential:

1. Instruct students in accessing, evaluating, using, and integrating information and resources in the library program and/or provide departmentalized instruction in information literacy, digital literacy, and digital citizenship
2. Plan and coordinate school library programs with the district's instructional programs through collaboration with teachers 3. Select materials for school and district libraries
3. Develop and deliver staff development programs for school library services
4. Coordinate or supervise library programs at the school or district level
5. Plan and conduct a course of instruction for students who assist in the operation of school libraries
6. Supervise classified personnel assigned school library duties
7. Develop procedures for and management of the school and district libraries

The Board of Education also may appoint classified paraprofessionals to serve as library aides or library technicians. Volunteers may assist with school library services in accordance with law, Board of Education policy, and administrative regulation.

Hours of Operation

School libraries shall be open for use by students and teachers during the school day.

With the approval of the Board of Education, a school library may be open at other hours outside the school day, including evenings and Saturdays. Any library open to serve students during evening and Saturday hours shall be under the supervision of a certificated employee who consents to the assignment.

Selection and Evaluation of School Library Materials

Library materials shall include print and electronic resources that align with the curriculum and are accessible to students with varying cognitive or language needs.

Library materials shall be evaluated and selected through a process that invites recommendations from administrators, teachers, other staff, parents/guardians, and students as appropriate.

Library materials shall be continually evaluated in relation to evolving curricula, new formats of materials, new instructional methods, and the needs of students and teachers. Materials that contain outdated subject matter or are no longer appropriate shall be removed.

All gifts and donations of school library materials shall be subject to the same criteria as materials selected for purchase by the district.

Complaints regarding the appropriateness of library materials shall be addressed using the district's procedures for complaints regarding instructional materials.

Fees

Students shall be allowed to borrow school library materials at no charge for use in the library and classrooms as well as out of school. Students will be encouraged to return materials in a timely manner, a nominal fee shall be charged for the late return of materials.

Library Instruction

Teacher librarians and/or classroom teachers shall provide library instruction to develop students' information literacy skills. Such instruction shall be aligned with state academic standards for library instruction and shall prepare students to:

1. Access information by applying knowledge of the organization of libraries, print materials, digital media, and other sources
2. Evaluate and analyze information to determine appropriateness in addressing the scope of inquiry
3. Organize, synthesize, create, and communicate information
4. Integrate information literacy skills into all areas of learning and pursue information independently to become life-long learners

Teacher librarians also may provide support to teachers, administrators, and other staff by identifying instructional materials that will aid in the development of curriculum and instructional activities and by providing information about effective and ethical uses of school library services and equipment. The district shall, on or before August 31 each year, report to the CDE on the condition of its school libraries for the preceding year ending June 30.