1

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL SELECTION POLICY FOR MEDIA MATERIALS

The school accepts the responsibility to provide materials for its students as
stated in the Library Bill Of Rights.

I. Responsibility for selection of materials
Materials are selected by the school library media specialist .
Selection is based on the careful study of reviews from reliable scholarly
sources, and, when possible, on personal inspection of the materials.
Two positive reviews are required.

II. Criteria for media selection
Materials are selected which contribute directly or indirectly to curricular
areas.
The wide range of pupil reading abilities, maturity levels, and interests are
considered as often as possible.
Nonfiction books must be functional, appropriate, accurate and objective.
Fiction books should have appropriate qualities of plot, style,
characterization and theme.
It is important that there be a balance of opposing ideas represented in
the collection.
The form of medium must be appropriate to the information it carries.
The technical qualities of the medium should include clear sound and/or
image and an aesthetically pleasing format.
Gift items must meet the same standards as those items purchased
before being added to the collection.

2
MIDDLE/HIGH SCHOOL SELECTION POLICY FOR MEDIA MATERIALS

The school library media center plays a central role in the total educational
program of Harford County Public Schools. It exists to provide materials, equipment
and services for the students and faculty it serves. All materials purchased for, or
donated to, the library will be evaluated using reliable reviewing sources and personal
inspection of the materials whenever possible. The media specialist may collaborate
with the administration, teachers and students in order to fill curricular, individual, and
special needs when purchasing new materials. As part of ongoing collection
development, the existing materials will be evaluated for currency, condition, and
relevance.

The following criteria will be considered when evaluating and selecting media. Such
materials should:

Reflect the beliefs set forth by the Library Bill of Rights
Reflect the ideas and beliefs of religious, social, political and historical, and
ethnic groups

Develop literary, cultural and aesthetic appreciation and ethical standards
Support curricular areas
Represent a wide variety of formats
Facilitate media literacy among students and staff
Be relevant to each schools climate/population