• Birdville Libraries Selection Policy and Guidelines

    ??Selection Criteria

    To achieve the library's objectives, a combination of the following criteria will guide selections:

    • Demonstrate literary merit, quality, value, and significance.

    • Have a high degree of user appeal and interest.

    • Take into consideration students’ varied interests, abilities, learning styles, and maturity levels.

    • Enrich and support the curriculum by stimulating growth in factual knowledge, enjoyment of reading, literary appreciation, and aesthetic values.

    • Include accurate and authentic factual content from authoritative sources.

    • Develop a balanced collection presenting multiple viewpoints on controversial issues to foster critical thinking skills based on rational analysis [see regarding instruction about controversial issues].

    • Represent ethnic, religious, and cultural groups and their contributions to Texas, the nation, and the world community.

    • Provide a wide range of background information to enable students to think critically and make informed decisions.

    • Represent diverse viewpoints and cultures in campus collections to reflect the unique background of its student population.

     

    ??What other criteria must be applied to the selection of library resources?

    Selected materials must be recommended in both age (e.g., with a ceiling of the oldest grade/general age served, but also acceptable if recommended for younger students) and content by two of these selection aids:

    • Booklist
    • Bulletin of the Center of Children’s Books
    • Kirkus Review
    • The Horn Book Magazine
    • Library Journal
    • School Library Journal

    In addition, book reviews in the following respected content area journals are accepted as one positive review:

    • Science Books & Films
    • English Journal
    • Journal of Adolescent and Adult Reading
    • The Reading Teacher

    A 91ÖÆƬ³§ librarian who has read and recommends a particular book can also serve as one positive reviewer. That review must be submitted to the Director of Digital Learning and Library Services, posted, and communicated to all librarians.

    Additional Selection Criteria:

    • Inclusion in Core Collections (Elementary School Catalog, Middle School Catalog, and Senior High School Catalog) and a Junior Library Guild selection will serve as two positive recommendations.
    • Lists and awards for children and young adults, compiled by a professional committee from or the will serve as two recommendations. 
    • Mentor texts in district-approved resources (such as Motivation Math or Patterns of Power) may be automatically selected.
    • Resources included as permanent 91ÖÆƬ³§ curriculum suggestions may be automatically purchased.
    • Subsequent books in the series, such as Magic Treehouse or In the Headlines, can be automatically purchased (1) if the initial review is positive and (2) age level designations do not change.
    • Frequently, teachers or administrators will request that librarians order particular books. Books must align to selection guidelines.
    • Gifts must adhere to 91ÖÆƬ³§ Selection Guidelines.
    • District-level or department book purchases for campuses should include at least one librarian in the selection process. 
     

    Digital Resources

    All 91ÖÆƬ³§-purchased digital resources are available in the 91ÖÆƬ³§ Portal, which can be accessed through

    Annually, the district will supplement the TexQuest electronic databases as budgets allow.  

    Individual campuses and libraries may purchase additional digital materials to supplement the distinct needs of their student population - aligned with the Birdville Board Policy