Library Book Selection Criteria
Selection Criteria
The selection of library materials (including donations) should be guided by RISD Board Policy; published professional reviews and knowledge of how materials would fit into the current collection.
Curriculum Support
Books in the library are designed to support content knowledge, process skills, or both. Books whose main subject do not appear directly in the TEKS are designed to support the development of reading and thinking skills. There is a correlation between interest-based reading selections and academic performance.
Alignment
Library and Information Technology Educators use information from their needs analysis including circulation data, student and family suggestions, curricular topics, and current events to identify student needs.
A book needs to have at least two professional reviews for at least one of the grade levels they serve (or a level below) to meet these criteria. ONLY if two professional reviews cannot be located one review can be from an informal review*.
- Elementary (PreK-6) – reviewed for grades PreK-6; use caution when considering books reviewed for grades 5-8; books coded YA may not be added.
- Elementary (PreK-5) – reviewed for grades PreK – 5; use caution when considering books reviewed for grades 5-8; books coded YA may not be added.
- Middle School/Junior High – reviewed for grades 6-8 or below; use caution when considering books reviewed for grades 7-12 or 8 and up.
Content
Library materials shall not include “harmful material” as defined by Penal Code §43.24 (a)(2); “obscene” material as defined by Penal Code §43.21(a)(1); any library material that is pervasively vulgar or educationally unsuitable as referenced in Board of Education v. Pico; or any other material legally prohibited from inclusion in a public school library.
*Acceptable professional library review sources include Booklist, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Horn Book, Kirkus, School Library Journal, & VOYA. If multiple reviews are available, all reviews must be read in their entirety prior to making a decision. Some but not all types of materials may be purchased when professional reviews are not available. See the next pages for information.
When No Professional Reviews Are Available
EFB(LOCAL): The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the District provides a wide range of library materials for students and faculty that support student achievement and present varying levels of difficulty, diversity of appeal, and a variety of points of view. This policy also provides standards for collection development and the selection and evaluation of library materials.
| TYPE OF LITERATURE | APPROPRIATENESS, LITERARY VALUE, AND PRESENTATION OF INFORMATION |
|---|---|
| NONFICTION | The publisher-designated age range may be used. Young Adult (YA) may only be purchased at secondary campuses. Books coded as AD (craft or other nonfiction) should be carefully considered prior to adding to high school collections. If the publisher designated age range spans multiple levels, the Library and Information Technology Educator must use both the publisher designated age range and research on the book to determine the primary target audience. |
| LITERARY NONFICTION | May not be purchased (includes memoirs, biographies, & poetry) |
| MANGA | Librarians must research to determine the intended audience for the content. Manga series cannot be assumed to be formulaic. Secondary librarians may select Manga based on professional reviews previously stated. If a positive review does not exist, it may be considered for purchase if it meets the following publisher rating: E (everyone) or A (all ages) for elementary, middle school, and/or high school libraries Y (youth, ages 10+) and T (teens, ages 13+) for middle school and/or high school libraries T+ or OT (teens, ages 16+) are for high school libraries ONLY and titles must first be reviewed, book in hand, by the librarian, prior to selection. M (mature, 18+) and AD (adult) do not follow selection guidelines and may NOT be purchased |
| FORMULAIC FIC | If two positive professional reviews exist for a book in a formulaic fiction series, it will suffice for the rest of the series. |
| FORMULAIC NF | If two positive professional reviews exist for a book in a formulaic nonfiction series, it will suffice for the rest of the series. |
| HIGH INTEREST BOOKS (E, BDB, R) | Elementary only. High interest books that are based on TV shows, movies, and games that are age appropriate as designated by the publisher age range, may be added to the library collection. Examples include Peppa Pig, Barbie, DC, Marvel, etc. |
| ITEMS IN ANOTHER LANGUAGE | If two professional reviews cannot be found for a specific translation, a book may still be purchased if the English language version meets all selection criteria. Authentic literature titles may be purchased based on the summary provided by the vendor and publisher's age recommendation. If the publisher designated age range spans multiple levels, the Library and Information Technology Educator must use both the publisher designated age range and research on the book to determine the primary target audience. |
| ITEMS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED BEFORE 1970/LITERARY CANON | Professional reviews for classic books considered part of the “literary canon” and religious or historical texts may not be available. In these instances, the book may still be purchased if research indicates it meets all RISD selection criteria. LITEs should consider whether or not items are in the public domain and degree of student appeal in their decisions. |
| SELF-PUBLISHED TITLES | May not be purchased. |
Grade Level/Age Appropriate
EFB(LOCAL): The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the District provides a wide range of library materials for students and faculty that support student achievement and present varying levels of difficulty, diversity of appeal, and a variety of points of view. This policy also provides standards for collection development and the selection and evaluation of library materials.
| ELEMENTARY (PK-5) | ELEMENTARY (PK-6) | MIDDLE SCHOOL / JUNIOR HIGH | HIGH SCHOOL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reviews include range for grades PK - 5th | Reviews include range for grades PK - 6th | Reviews include range for grades 6-8 | Reviews include range for grades 9-12 |
| Recommended ages 4-10 | Recommended ages 4-11. | Recommended ages 11 - 13 | Recommended ages 14+ |
| Be cautious of books that are reviewed for grades 5-8 or for students older than 11-12 | Be cautious of books that are reviewed for grades 6 & up or for students older than 11-12. | Be cautious of books that are reviewed for grades 7-12 or for students older than 13 | The age of the main character(s) is a good guideline for determining target audience |
| The age of the main character(s) is a good guideline for determining target audiences. | The age of the main character(s) is a good guideline for determining target audiences. | The age of the main character(s) is a good guideline for determining target audience | Books coded as ADULT may not meet selection criteria |
| Books coded YA do not meet selection criteria | Books coded YA do not meet selection criteria. | Books coded YA may not meet selection criteria | Books coded as ADULT may not meet selection criteria |
- Books coded as ADULT, such as craft books or cookbooks, should be carefully considered prior to adding to the general student collection
- If professional reviews differ as to recommended age level ranges, the oldest age/grade level range should be used as the target audience. For example, if two reviews are for grades 7-12 and two are for grades 9-12, use 9-12 as your target audience.
Definitions
ADULT (AD)
The adult, or AD, audience designation used by publishers is not a reflection of content but of the audience for whom the content is written. Books that were not specifically written for children or young adults fall into this category.
AUTHENTIC LITERATURE
Authentic literature refers to texts written in the natural language of the authors with an audience beyond schools (ie. the general public). They are not written with a controlled vocabulary and/or to achieve a particular readability. Sometimes called “trade books,” these works are written to emotionally engage the reader.
FAVORABLY REVIEWED
A book is favorably reviewed if a review states that the material takes into consideration students’ varied interests, abilities, learning styles and maturity levels, and the age provided is appropriate for the school considering selection.
FORMULAIC FICTION SERIES
Found at the elementary level. Each book in a formulaic fiction series contains the same characters, the same plot structure, and does not develop in depth and complexity or tackle more mature content as the series progresses. (Ex. Magic Tree House is a formulaic series, while Harry Potter is literary.) Typically only a few books in a formulaic series are reviewed.
FORMULAIC NONFICTION SERIES
Each book in a formulaic nonfiction series contains the same organizational structure, elements, reading level, and subject approach. Typically only a few books in a formulaic series are reviewed.
HARMFUL MATERIAL
“Harmful material” as defined by Penal Code §43.24(a), means material whose dominant theme taken as a whole:
- Appeals to the prurient interest of a minor, in sex, nudity, or excretion;
- Is patently offensive to prevailing standards in the adult community as a whole with respect to what is suitable for minors; AND
- Is utterly without redeeming social value for minors.
INFORMAL REVIEW RESOURCES
- American Library Association Reading Lists/Awards. Examples include:
- Pura Belpré Awards, the Randolph Caldecott Medal, Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, Coretta Scott King Book Award, etc.
- The award/list may not be used to determine library level placement.
- Texas Library Association Reading Lists. Examples include:
- Bluebonnet, Lone Star, TAYSHAS, Maverick, Tejas Star, etc.
- The award/list may not be used to determine library level placement.
- Publisher’s Weekly
- Common Sense Media Reviews
- Personal review by a certified librarian with a view on inclusion in the collection for students at that level.
LITERARY NONFICTION
Literary nonfiction authors use techniques typically reserved for fiction to present informational content in creative and engaging ways.
MANGA
Manga refers to a style of Japanese comics/graphic novels. This type of literature is not reviewed in professional library review journals.
MIDDLE GRADE
Books written for grades 3-6 (ages 8-12) may be selected at campuses serving 3rd – 5th grade students.
OBSCENE
“Obscene,” as defined by Penal Code § 43.21(a)(1), means material or a performance:
- The average person, applying contemporary community standards, would find that taken as a whole appeals to the prurient interest in sex;
- Depicts or describes
- Patently offensive representations or descriptions of ultimate sexual acts, normal or perverted, actual or simulated, including sexual intercourse, sodomy, and sexual bestiality; or
- Patently offensive representations or descriptions of masturbation, excretory functions, sadism, masochism, lewd exhibition of the genitals, the male or female genitals in a state of sexual stimulation or arousal, covered male genitals in a discernibly turgid state or a device designed and marketed as useful primarily for stimulation of the human genital organs; AND
- Taken as a whole, lacks serious literary, artistic, political, and scientific value.
PROFESSIONAL LIBRARY REVIEW JOURNALS
These journals are recognized as reputable selection tools within the field of librarianship. Acceptable professional library review journals include Booklist, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Horn Book, Kirkus, and School Library Journal. Although out-of-print, VOYA may be used for older items.
PUBLIC DOMAIN
The public domain consists of creative work to which no exclusive intellectual property rights apply. In the case of library books, these are books with expired copyright dates. Books in the public domain are generally accessible online.
YOUNG ADULT (YA)
Books written for grades 6-12 are designated as Young Adult (YA). Common themes in YA realistic fiction include friendship, getting into trouble, self-identity, coming of age, romantic and sexual interest, and family life. The text of a YA review is used to determine whether the title is suitable for middle school, high school, senior high school, or a combination.
Material Inclusion
- All items, whether donated or purchased by the district, must meet the Richardson ISD selection policy.
- All items must meet standards of copyright law.
- All items must be available for the following:
- Circulation
- Interlibrary loan (with the exception of specific professional materials)
- Checkout to all students and/or all staff
- Searching in the online catalog
- All items may be subject to the following:
- Limited loan periods
- ILLs/holds
- Return to the library for inventory
- The following items will not be considered for inclusion:
- Textbooks
- Ancillary textbook materials
- Consumables/reproducibles
- Classroom sets
- Advanced copies (ARCs)/unproofed editions
- Paperbacks
- Items may be rejected for inclusion based on the following:
- Condition
- Age
- Content/accuracy
- Format (i.e. obsolete media and/or equipment)
- No more than five (5) copies of a single title may be cataloged and circulated through the campus library, with the exception of specific reference materials.
- Archival copies of periodicals will only be kept as space allows.
- All considerations are subject to constraints of personnel, budget, and shelf space. These may include constraints of cataloging, circulation, maintenance, inventory, and storage.
- All items cataloged in the library become the property of the district on behalf of the campus. As such, these items are no longer the property of the purchaser, whether a donor, staff member, or department.
- Only materials purchased with library funds or donated to the library by an outside entity, i.e., PTA, will be considered for repair and/or replacement by the library.
- All items added to the library will be subject to deselection based on condition, age, content/accuracy, format, available space, and use.