St.

Francis of Assisi School Library

Collection Development Policy

School and Community Description:

St. Francis of Assisi School remains a predominantly middle and upper middle class Caucasian Catholic
school. In 2011, our student body was 74% white. In 2014, our student body was 75% white.
Currently there are 580 students in the school.

The population of Burien is 49,291. The Median age is 27.5. Male/Female Ratio is 1.1:1. Married (15
years and older) 515. English Speaking 65%. Spanish Speaking 19%. The breakdown by race is 60%
Caucasian, 20% Hispanic, 11% other, 9% Asian. The median household income is $52,140.

Purpose of Policy:

This policy has been created to provide staff members, students, families, and community members a
reference tool. The policy was written by the library-media specialist with input from other staff
members and approved by the School Commission, Principal and Pastor. The policy will be reviewed
every-other year and revised accordingly by the library-media specialist and the Principal.

Library Mission and Collection Goal Statements:

The mission of St. Francis of Assisi School is to educate the whole person within a Christ-centered,
Catholic community that fosters active faith, provides a balanced curriculum and promotes academic
growth to prepare students for success.

The St. Francis of Assisi School Library through its library-media specialist is committed to facilitating
teaching and learning by providing a library collection that meet both the curricular needs and personal
needs of students, as well as resources in various and varying degrees of difficulty.

Library Objectives:
The St. Francis of Assisi Library supports academic excellence by:
Nurturing readers
Collaborating with faculty to meet the needs of the students
Integrating technology into our curriculum
 Promoting efficient and responsible use of information and ideas
Teaching research skills
Providing access to authentic resources
Offering reference services to students and faculty

Intellectual Freedom Statement:

Intellectual freedom is the right of every individual to both seek and receive information from all points
of view without restriction. It provides for free access to all expressions of ideas through which any and
all sides of a question, cause or movement may be explored. St. Francis of Assisi School Library strives to
uphold the rights of students to have intellectual freedom. Copies of documents that support this
statement can be found in the Appendix.
(ALA) Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read Statement
(National Council of Teachers English) Students Right to Read

Challenged Materials:
The St. Francis of Assisi School Library is committed to the principles of intellectual freedom and
advocates for the American Library Associations Bill of Rights
Objections to material may be voiced despite the care taken to choose valuable materials for student
and teacher use. Objections should be directed to the library media specialist who can provide
information regarding the selection and use of the material and explain the goals of the library media
center and its mission. If the concern is not resolved by this means, the complainant will be given a copy
of the Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials form. The complainant can complete the
form and file it with the library media specialist, who will inform the principal, who will bring it to the
School Commission and the Pastor.

The media specialist, along with the Pastor, Principal, and School Commission will together make a
decision to withdraw or retain material after reading the material in its entirety, checking the
acceptance of the material by the Catholic Church, determining the extent to which the material
supports the curriculum, and finally meeting to discuss the material. The decision of the Pastor, the
Principal and the School Commission is final. The material in question will not be removed from the
library pending review of the request.

Selection Responsibility:
The Principal of St. Francis of Assisi School delegates to the school library-media specialist the
responsibility for selection and removal of library materials. As in all matters involving the Parish or its
Catholic School, the Pastor has final say in which materials are in the library. The library-media specialist
solicits and considers recommendations from members of the St. Francis of Assisi School community
including students, parents, faculty and staff when choosing library materials.
Selection Criteria:

Supporting the St. Francis of Assisi Schools curriculum and mission is the focus of library acquisitions.
Materials for purchase are considered according to the following criteria (listed in no specific order):
Support and enrich the schools curriculum
Consistency with St. Francis of Assisi School mission
Contribute to the development of an understanding or religious, ethnic, cultural, and
occupational diversity of society.
Currency and appropriateness of content
Quality of factual content or library merit
Favorable reviews in library selection sources
Appeal to students in grades K-8, while providing diverse points of view
Reputation of the author/illustrator
Value in relation to cost and need
Readability

Procedures for selection include ongoing professional evaluation of the existing collection, needs
assessment, consultation of recommended selection tools (such as Booklist, School Library Journal,
Childrens Core Collection) and consultation with faculty, staff, students and specialists in instructional
topics. The library-media specialist uses these criteria in combination with her professional judgement
to decide which materials to purchase.

Material Formats:
Currently in the St. Francis of Assisi Library Collection, are printed material including books, and a
magazine subscription to Sports Illustrated for Kids. The Technology teacher purchases software and
databases.

Philosophy of Deselection:
The primary objective of the school library is to implement, enrich and support the educational program
of the school. The same thought and care given to selection of materials should be exercised in
deselection of the collection so that the collection remains current and useful to the students it serves.
The American Library Association recommends that 3% - 5% of the collection be deselected annually.

Collection Maintenance/ Deselection:

Deselection is an ongoing part of collection development, a planned and thoughtful action that will
provides space for more valuable items and a more appealing, up-to-date collection, makes the library
easier to use, helps to eliminate inappropriate items, and gives the school and administration feedback
on strengths and weaknesses of the collection.
Criteria for Deselection:

St. Francis of Assisi School Library materials will be deselected if they are found to be MUSTY, an
acronym to determine deselection
Misleading or factually incorrect
Mediocre writing or presentation
Inaccurate or false information
Biased, portray stereotypes, language
Ugly, damaged or worn out
Unattractive covers, small print, faded illustrations
Missing pages or parts
Dirty beyond the state where they can be cleaned
Worn covers or torn pages beyond repair

Superseded by a newer version

Outdated in content
Old illustrations
Materials no longer listed in standard catalogs
Trivial or the collection no longer needs it
Inappropriate in reading level

Your collection has no use for the book. It is irrelevant to your curriculum.
Neither circulated or used during the past five years (number of years is only
an example)
Unneeded duplicates
Unwanted and unsolicited gifts

*Contradictory to Catholic teaching or deemed morally offensive by the Catholic Church

The library-media specialist will make the final decision in deselection of items from the collection and
will be responsible for disposing of the materials.
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/lb/documents/weedingbrochure.pdf

Exceptions to Deselection Criteria:

Even if they meet all deselection criteria, the following items may be kept:
-Historically significant works of literature unless available in new format
-Works with unusual illustrations or illustrations done by a well-known artist
-Works by a local author or illustrator
-Descriptions of local history or personalities
-Student published works and school related items such as yearbooks
-Classics
Time-Sensitive Materials in School Library Media Collection:
In general the five most time-sensitive sections of the media collection are:
-Science (500s)
-Health and Technology (600s)
-Geography and History (900s)
-Government and Economics (300s) and
-Reference
The copyright dates in these materials should be within five to ten years, with some exceptions. For
example, in the 500s, plants and animals are exceptions; in the 300s, holidays and folklore are
exceptions.

Schedule for Deselection:

The school library-media specialist, whenever practical, should continuously deselect and supplement
the collection. She will use the CREW method throughout the year to remove items on an as needed
basis. Near the conclusion of each school year, the library-media specialist will conduct a large scale
inventory and deselection project to remove items that need removal, but have been missed.

Disposal:
Discovery Books helps manage deselected library materials, profitably, efficiently and
responsibly. The deselected materials will be boxed and picked up by Discover Books who will
resell, donate, or recycle the books. https://www.discoverbooks.com/Library-Partners-s/2513.htm

Gifts:
St. Francis of Assisi School Library accepts gift materials with the understanding that the identical
selection standards apply. The library does not accept gifts with restrictions or conditions relating to
their final use, disposition, or location. Money is accepted only through donations directly to St. Francis
of Assisi School, not the library-media specialist. Any books not meeting the selection criteria will be
donated to the schools used book sale or Discover Books.
Challenged Materials:
The St. Francis of Assisi School Library is committed to the principles of intellectual freedom and
advocates for the American Library Associations Bill of Rights
Objections to material may be voiced despite the care taken to choose valuable materials for student
and teacher use. Objections should be directed to the library media specialist who can provide
information regarding the selection and use of the material and explain the goals of the library media
center and its mission. If the concern is not resolved by this means, the complainant will be given a copy
of the Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials form. The complainant can complete the
form and file it with the library media specialist, who will inform the principal, who will bring it to the
School Commission and the Pastor.

The media specialist, along with the Pastor, Principal, and School Commission will together make a
decision to withdraw or retain material after reading the material in its entirety, checking the
acceptance of the material by the Catholic Church, determining the extent to which the material
supports the curriculum, and finally meeting to discuss the material. The decision of the Pastor, the
Principal and the School Commission is final. The material in question will not be removed from the
library pending review of the request.

Policy drafted by
Diana Hautala, Libraria-Media Specialist
March 2017
Library Bill of Rights
The American Library Association affirms that all libraries are forums for information and ideas, and that the following
basic policies should guide their services.

I. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of
the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those
contributing to their creation.

II. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues.
Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.

III. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and
enlightenment.

IV. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free
access to ideas.

V. A persons right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.

VI. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities
available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.

Adopted June 19, 1939, by the ALA Council; amended October 14, 1944; June 18, 1948; February 2, 1961; June 27, 1967;
January 23, 1980; inclusion of age reaffirmed January 23, 1996.

A history of the Library Bill of Rights is found in the latest edition of the Intellectual Freedom Manual.

Although the Articles of the Library Bill of Rights are unambiguous statements of basic principles that should govern the
service of all libraries, questions do arise concerning application of these principles to specific library practices. See the
documents designated by the Intellectual Freedom Committee as Interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights.
 Request for Reconsideration of Instructional Materials
in the library collection of St. Francis of Assisi School

Person Initiating Request: _________________________ Date of Request:_________

Email Address: __________________________________

Phone Number:_________________

Representing: _________________________________ (individual)

_________________________________ (organization)

The materials I object to is of the following type:

___Library Book ___Magazine

___Textbook

Is this material, to your knowledge, on a student reading list? __________________________

Title: _______________________________________________________________________
Author: ________________________________
Publisher: ______________________________
Copyright Date: __________________________

1. Are you aware of the school objectives in using this material?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

2. Are you familiar with the school philosophy regarding selection of instructional materials?
______________________________________________________________________

3. To what in the material(s) do you object? Please be specific and cite pages or sections.
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________

4. What do you feel might be the result of reading or seeing or using this
material? ____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________

5. For what age group would you recommend this material?

___________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
6. Is there anything of value in the
material? ________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

7. Did you read, hear, or see the entire content?

______________________________________________________________________
Or what parts?
_____________________________________________________________________

8. Are you aware of the judgment of this material by literary or subject matter critics?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

9. What do you believe is the theme of this material?

____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

10. What would you like the school to do about this material?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

___ Do not assign it to my child.

___ Do not give it to my child.

___ Withhold it from all students

11. In its place, what material of equal quality would you recommend that would convey as
valuable a picture or perspective?
____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________

Signature of the Complainant