The document reviews relevant library policies within the Lamar County School District. It examines policies on defining instructional media, the media advisory committee, organization and availability of print and non-print materials, selection of suitable materials, and collection evaluation and weeding. For most policies, the document finds Lamar County's current policies to be thorough and in need of no revisions. However, it recommends revising the collection evaluation and weeding policy to include the disposal form within the policy handbook and define the "record retention period." Examples of relevant policies from other districts are provided.

1. REVIEW OF RELEVANT LIBRARY POLICIES 1
Review of Relevant Library Policies
Autumn Schaffer
Georgia Southern University
FRIT 7132

2. REVIEW OF RELEVANT LIBRARY POLICIES 2
Review of School Media Center Policies and Procedures
It would be safe to say that all schools, despite the age of the students that they
educate, has developed policies and procedures to aid in the overall functioning of the
media center. Some policies are specified for media center procedures while some are
universal for the entire school. Some polices are developed for day-to-day happenings
within the media center while some procedures are designated for specific situations.
Nevertheless, these descriptions of activities and functions within the media center are
highly important and make sure that the actions within the media center are regulated. As
explained by Wendy Morlan, Director of Pleasanton Lincoln Library in Kansas City,
“These rules aren’t meant to restrict your use of the library, but to maintain order and
create a harmonious atmosphere all can enjoy”. Lamar County’s epolices can be located
at this link: https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/Index.aspx?S=4099.
I. Policies Affecting Materials (Print/Non-Print) within the
Media Center
Media Center Specific Policy Current Policy New Policy OR
Policy within Lamar within Lamar Revision to Current Policy
County County
Definition of IFBC- Media Very through list of No revision needed.
Instructional Program Polices “materials of
Media Policy Revised: communication which
2/10/2009 contribute to teaching and
learning.” Includes print,
non-print, media,
electronic software, and
internet
Media Advisory IFBC- Media Two media advisory No revision needed.
Committee Policy Program Polices committees are explained
Revised: in detail.
2/10/2009
-The System Media
Advisory Committee is
headed by the
Superintendent of the
school. He/she appoints
staff from within the entire
school system including
teachers, administrators,
and community members.
-The School-Level Media
Advisory Committee is
composed of members
within each school, meets
annually, and follows a
defined set of goals,
responsibilities, as well as
duties.
Organization and IFBC- Media States directly that all No revision needed.

3. REVIEW OF RELEVANT LIBRARY POLICIES 3
Availability of Program Polices school-owned print and
Print and Non- Revised: non-print materials, as well
Print Materials 2/10/2009 as instructional materials,
Policy should be organized and
made available through the
media center.
-Includes student basal
text, teacher edition text,
and consumable materials.
-Specifically states that sets
of non-basal enrichment
texts should not exceed
more than 30 copies and
should be housed in the
media center when not
checkout out.
Selection of IFBC- Media Specific requirements for No revision needed.
Suitable Program Polices the selection of book and
Materials Policy Revised: media are detailed. Examples/Resources:
2/10/2009 Members and meetings of *Hopkinton School District provides specific
the selection committee are guidelines for the selection of library resources. It’s
also explained. objective, criteria, and procedures are specifically
explained in detail, which is a beneficial addition to
-Readings for middle and the selection policy: http://bit.ly/LPprS
high school syllabi as well
as responsibilities of the *The Hawaii Office of Curriculum, Instruction, and
approval committee within Student Support provides an extensive breakdown of
the selection process is the general criteria as well as specific considerations
explained in detail. to look for during the selection process. Some of
these specific considerations include: accuracy,
-Video and DVD selection durability, interest and appeal, price, and relevancy.
and approval are Controversial subjects , electronic, and professional
specifically addressed. materials are also addressed: http://bit.ly/36dkQI
Collection IFBC- Media States that the disposal of Revision to Current Policy:
Evaluation & Program Polices media equipment should The specific disposal form is not located within this
(Weeding) Policy Revised: comply with the section of the policy handbook. It would be more
2/10/2009 regulations from which the beneficial if the form was available in the general
equipment was purchased. area of the policy. The “record retention period” is
not specifically defined within the policy.
-There is a form that
should be completed in Examples/Resources:
order for the material to be *Western Massachusetts Regional Library System
disposed. This form should provides a collection of tutorials, articles, and
be kept on file during the samples of “weeding” policies at:
record retention period. http://www.wmrls.org/services/colldev/weeding.html
*A Media Center Handbook in Alachua County,
Florida provides specific details and guidelines to aid
in their weeding policy:
http://www.sbac.edu/~media/guid_weeding.html
*The Library Council of New South Wales (1999)

4. REVIEW OF RELEVANT LIBRARY POLICIES 4
provides a detailed Retention and Disposal Policy for
Collection Material and Donations complete with
approval, replacement, and transfer procedures:
http://bit.ly/4BmnhF
*The California Department of Education provides
an easy-to-read brochure based upon “weeding”
within the library. It uses the mnemonic device
“musty” (as determined by the American Library
Association) to help librarians determine the
characteristics of books and media that should be
discarded from the collection: http://bit.ly/1F9seV
*A comprehensive list of articles, books, and web
pages based upon Collection Development policies
and resources can be found at:
http://www.sldirectory.com/libsf/resf/coldev2.html
Reconsideration IFBC- Media Extremely detailed process No revision needed.
of Controversial Program Polices detailing upon the initial
Issues and Revised: challenging of the book,
Materials 2/10/2009 the required forms, the
initial withdrawal of the
item, the review process of
the School-Level Media
Advisory committee, as
well as the review
requirements by the
System-Level Media
Advisory committee, and
finally the board.
Gifts and IFBC- Media Procedures for Revision to Current Policy:
Donations Policy Program Polices determining if the gift Cash donations are not addressed.
Revised: meets requirements and if
2/10/2009 the gift should be accepted Examples/Resources:
into the media program is *Monroe Public Schools in Connecticut provide
detailed. specific definitions of gifts as well as a list of the
approval process for such gifts. It also explains the
Board of Education, The Board of Finance, as well
as the Town Council’s role in such gifts: http://bit.ly/
39TDAL
*J.N. Desmarais Library Gift Policy is well defined
and organized into specific categories, such as: the
definition of a gift, the acquisition of a gift, the
selection process, the processing procedures, as well
as a statement about income tax receipts: http://bit.ly/
3mCj8B
Acquisition No Available No Available Policy New/Addition to Current Policy: Some type of
Policy Policy statement or guidelines for the acquisition of
materials or media for the center should be included.
This may be an addition to the selection policy, or it
may be included separately. Specific procedures or

5. REVIEW OF RELEVANT LIBRARY POLICIES 5
regulations of how materials are acquired may be
beneficial. By what means, such as through a
committee or documented approval, would also be
beneficial to the policy.
Examples/Resources:
*Viewmont High School provides a detailed
explanation of their acquisition policy within their
online manual. Accompanied by the selection policy,
the acquisition statements provide sections for the
legal responsibility, selection committee, selection
sources, recommendations, as well as specific
guidelines for donations: http://bit.ly/n1BTP
*The Canadian Council of Archives provides an
extensive list of Guidelines for Developing an
acquisition policy. This website provides a list and
explanation of the elements of an acquisition policy
as well as a thorough example of one:
http://bit.ly/WAt0L
II. Policies Affecting the Media Center as a Facility
Accessibility of IFBC- Media Simply states that the Revision to Current Policy:
Media Center Program Polices center should be available Does not specifically state the schedule in which the
Policy Revised: to students, staff members, media center is actually open to students or staff
2/10/2009 and groups throughout the members, or if this information varies between
entire instructional day, schools. Also does not specifically mention if other
each day of the school groups, such as after school programs or Boy Scouts,
year. are allowed access to the media center during or after
its hours of operation.
-Also states that students
enrolled in state approved Examples/Resources:
courses outside of the *Westlake High School not only provides an
regular classroom should explanation of the hours of accessibility, but it also
have access to the center. provides guidelines for when diverse groups are able
to use the media center. For example, it explains the
steps for small groups, scheduled classes, and study
hall attendants to take when using the media center:
http://bit.ly/1gbsEt
*Within Ermington Primary School’s accessibility
policy, the overall plan of the media center as a
whole is included. The aims, monitoring procedures,
as well as how the media center provides assistance
within the curriculum is provided. This goes beyond
explaining merely when the media center is open- it
also explains why it is accessible as well as what, in
general, the library has to offer: http://bit.ly/4waAsy
Use of Media for IFBC- Media Clearly states that the Revision to Current Policy:
Approved Program Polices center’s resources can be Does not provide any measures that a non-Georgia
Courses Policy Revised: used any Georgia Board of Board of Education approved course might take, or if

6. REVIEW OF RELEVANT LIBRARY POLICIES 6
2/10/2009 Education approved they would be allowed at all, to use the media
courses offered outside of facility or resources.
instructional time.
Examples/Resources:
*Bishop Hogan Memorial School, which does allow
facilities to be used by non-school related groups
provides an extensive “rental policy” that explains,
in detail, the actions, regulations, and fees related to
the rental process:
http://www.bishophogan.org/rental.htm
*The Hoyt Library, of the Luzerne County School
System, provides a policy for meetings held by
outside groups and organizations. Specific
regulations for scheduling, hours, technical
equipment, and refreshments are detailed upon:
http://www.hoytlibrary.org/librarypolicies.htm
III. Policies Affecting Students, Teachers, and Other Personnel
Adherence to IFBC- Media It is stated that the local No revision needed.
Regulation Policy Program Polices board of education should
Revised: comply with the Georgia
2/10/2009 Board of Education
policies, as well as state
and federal laws.
-It is also stated that
students and personnel
should adhere to the
county’s Acceptable Use
Policy.
Acceptable Use of IFBG- Internet States specific AUP form Revision to Current Policy:
the Internet Acceptable Use that students, teachers, staff Information is complete but could be explained and
Policy Revised: 3/10/09 members, and teachers are detailed in “reader friendly” terms (Since this is a
required to sign annually policy that is most likely to affect students and
before internet usage. parents outside of the personnel.)
-Also includes subsections Examples/Resources:
of *South Brunswick High School’s Media Center
*Policy Dissemination provides an easy-to-read acceptable use policy that
*Violations of the Policy the middle school students are required to read and
*Disclaimer sign: http://bit.ly/2L2khF
*Kankakee Valley Community School organizes
their AUP into smaller segments so that individuals
are able to understand all elements that the policy
entails. These categories include privileges,
netiquette, security, vandalism, and exceptions of the
terms and conditions: http://www.kv.k12.in.us/kvhs/
aup.htm
*An interesting article to read, which might lead to

7. REVIEW OF RELEVANT LIBRARY POLICIES 7
an addition to the Acceptable Use Policy addressing
cyber-bullying is:
Brown, K., Jackson, M., & Cassidy, W. (2006).
Cyber-Bullying: Developing Policy to Direct
Responses that are Equitable and Effective in
Addressing This Special Form of Bullying.
Canadian Journal of Educational Administration
and Policy, (57), 1-36.
Copyright Policy IFBC- Media Simply states that the Revision to Current Policy:
Program Polices system will follow federal Policy does not include fair use guidelines or video
Revised: copyright law. The recordings guidelines. Also does not provide policy
2/10/2009 administrator of each for students and staff who would like to publish
school will be responsible works.
for ensuring that all staff
members are informed of Examples/Resources:
these federal policies on an *The Wisconsin Department of Instruction provides
annual basis. The an extensive list of copyright resources for schools
administrator will also and libraries, including links to copyright law, fair
make sure students and use, distance learning, digital images, and music:
parents are trained as http://dpi.wi.gov/lbstat/copyres.html
needed. Federal Copyright
laws will be posted in each *Okaloosa County Public Schools provides an
copy room in every school. extensive list and explanation of copyright
guidelines, which also includes a link to a
“Copyright Test.” This test assesses’ one knowledge
of what actions are legal or illegal based upon
copyright law. This website also provides an
extensive list of hyperlinks that also explain the issue
of copyright: http://bit.ly/3Xb2dv
*Jefferson County Public Schools provides an easy-
to-read chart of copyright guidelines based on what
is permitted and not permitted by teacher
reproducible, big books, audiovisual materials,
music, and video. This is a beneficial website
because it helps teachers determine the “fine lines”
between what is acceptable and what is not within
copyright regulations: http://bit.ly/13h9rA
*This article provides an explanation of the spectrum
of copyright and how it is affects the school media
center program:
Crawford, W. (2005). The copyright spectrum.
Library Technology Reports, 41(2), 11-23.
Student Records JR- Student Family Educational Rights New/Addition to Current Policy: Library records
Records and Privacy Act and Pupil of confidentiality are not specifically addressed.
Adopted: 2/10/09 Protection Rights (Perhaps a separate confidentiality policy,
Amendment are detailed in particularly for the media center’s records, is needed
full. Procedures for altogether.)
obtaining access to student
records are detailed in full. *While it is a college, Cornell University in NY
provides a clear confidentiality statement that
describes what is to remain private among librarians

8. REVIEW OF RELEVANT LIBRARY POLICIES 8
and students. This includes “circulation of materials,
database searches, interlibrary loan transactions,
reference queries, requests for photocopies of library
materials, reserve requests, and the use of
audiovisual materials, films, and sound recordings”.
The policy also specifically cites The U.S. Patriot
Act of 2001: http://bit.ly/43u25h
*Developed in the UK, this is a set of guidelines for
primary schools to follow when developing
confidentiality policies. After observation, this set of
guidelines could probably benefit all levels of
schools: http://bit.ly/2NylvB
Student Code of JCDA- Student Student behavior as well as No revision needed.
Conduct Behavior Code a teacher/staff member’s
Adopted: 2/10/09 responsibilities and duties
in response to that behavior
are addressed.
Accountability IFBC- Media Clearly states that students Revision to Current Policy:
for School Program Polices and personnel are Specific procedures for fines and fees related to lost
Equipment and Revised: responsible for all and damaged instructional items should be
Material 2/10/2009 instructional materials addressed. It is highly important that a policy defines
purchased through public exactly the measures a school or media center can
funds. States that take for lost and damaged materials.
reimbursement procedures
are established by the Examples/Resources:
specific school system. *Cary Academy, a private school in NC, provides an
extensive explanation of damages and fees for their
laptops. The policy is divided in several categories
including, equipment damage, mechanical failure,
accidental damage, and user negligence. Each of
these divisions is explained as well as the fees and
consequences for each. This would be an excellent
source to use to add a more specific damage and fees
policy that explains exactly what types of
consequences might occur for each:
http://bit.ly/297JBy
*Seymour High School provides a simple addition to
a set of policies that addresses overdue procedures,
which includes fines, lost/damaged books, overdue
items, as well as renewals. These are specific
elements that are beneficial for students and teachers
within a policy so that they understand exactly what
is expected and regulated within the media center:
http://seymourhs.com/page.php?286
Email Policy No Available No Available Policy New/Addition to Current Policy:
Policy Some type of policy will need to be included so that
teachers and other staff members would know if
emailing is allowed during school hours, within the
media center, or using any school computers. Also,
the policy should state whether or not personal
emails are allowed to be accessed, or if school-based

9. REVIEW OF RELEVANT LIBRARY POLICIES 9
emails are the only ones permitted.
Examples/Resources:
*Atlanta Public Schools provide a detailed
explanation of Electronic Communication Systems
(Electronic Mail and Fax) within their eboard
policies: http://bit.ly/3Aaea2
*Weld Central High School provides a logical,
straight-forward, and easy to understand email
policy, specifically designed for teachers and staff
members: http://bit.ly/2zRKtN
Webpage Policy No Available No Available Policy New/Addition to Current Policy:
Policy A policy based upon who creates the webpage, what
is allowed to be placed on the webpage (names and
photos of students), as well as who is responsible for
updating the webpage should be addressed.
Examples/Resources:
*Arlington Public Schools provides a detailed
webpage policy that includes information of the
purpose, scope, background, responsibilities, as well
as the policy itself: http://bit.ly/2oE3Ds
*The Cambridge Public School District provides a
specific area for a Website Privacy Policy, which
would certainly need to be addressed within a public
school’s webpage policy: http://www.cpsd.us/cpsdir/
privacy.cfm
*Cambridge Public Schools provides specific
guidelines for webmasters, which also include safety,
privacy, and content regulations. These would also
need to be addressed within a school’s webpage
policy: http://bit.ly/4AUInk
Volunteer Policy No Available No Available Policy New/Addition to Current Policy:
Policy A specific volunteer policy should be included either
for the school or specifically for the media center.
Regulations about the process of applying to be a
volunteer, as well as any specific screening or
background checks should be addressed so that
individuals seeking the opportunity will understand
the process.
Examples/Resources:
*Marshfield, Massachusetts Public Schools provide a
simple Volunteer Policy that details conduct and
regulations for volunteers of the school. A
registration form is also included within the package:
http://bit.ly/43jqip
*Stormonth Elementary School provides a complete
online Volunteer Handbook including and describing

10. REVIEW OF RELEVANT LIBRARY POLICIES 10
procedures for checking in books, renewing books,
running reports, checking out books, placing holds,
as well as shelving books. This information is
presented in a manner that non-trained individuals,
such a volunteer, would be able to understand and
follow the procedures: http://bit.ly/49Jnyj
*Molescroft Primary School provides a Volunteer
Helper Policy that defines a “volunteer” while also
explaining the aims and guidelines that volunteers
should follow: http://bit.ly/yqnFj
IV. Policies Affecting Media Center Staff
Media Specialist IFBC- Media Policy cites Roles in Media *No specific revision needed.
Responsibilities Program Polices Program Development:
Policy Revised: School and Community as Examples/Resources:
2/10/2009 a source for media *A school district within Wisconsin provides an
specialist roles and extensive job description for a K-6 Library Media
responsibilities. Specialist. It explains, in detail, the qualifications as
well as duties and responsibilities, which are
-States the valid certificates conveniently organized into the categories of:
and license should be held administrative duties, educational duties, technical
by media personnel, and duties, and professional duties:
amount of personnel http://www.iola.k12.wi.us/newsfile2432_1.pdf
should be in compliance
with Georgia Board of *The Florida Department of Education provides a
Education and Southern breakdown of media specialists (K-12)
Association of Colleges responsibilities and abilities. This would be an
and Schools. excellent resource for schools to use to develop a
concise list for a media specialist responsibilities and
duties policy: http://bit.ly/F9LJN
Evaluation of No Available No Available Policy New/Addition to Current Policy: Why media
School Media Policy specialists in all schools are evaluated using proper
Specialist Policy Georgia instruments, there is not a policy
documenting an universal document used for all
schools as well as a set schedule, or amount of
annual observations.
Examples/Resources:
*The Kansas Association of School Librarians
provides a copy of the evaluation document used
within Kansas public school systems. This
evaluation, as cited within the text, is based upon
Information Power: Guidelines for School Media
Programs (1988):
http://www.skyways.org/kasl/evaluation.pdf
*The Missouri Department of Elementary and
Secondary Education provides specific guidelines for
a Performance-Based Library Media Specialist
Evaluation. An evaluation timeline as well as data

11. REVIEW OF RELEVANT LIBRARY POLICIES 11
collection forms are provided. Standards as well as
descriptors are also provided: http://bit.ly/qYF9d
Staff GAD- Professional States a comprehensive No revision needed.
Development Development plan for staff development
Policy Opportunities with the aid of a staff
Adopted: 9/9/08 development director and
advisory committee. All
staff is included.
References
Lamar County Board of Education. (2009). Board Policies. Retrieved on October 30
from https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/Index.aspx?S=4099.
Morlan, Wendy. (2009). Library Director Responds: Why We Need Library Policies.
Retrieved from http://www.accessola.com/olba/bins/content_page.asp?
cid=66-827-3036.