Spring Valley Elementary Library Policy
Welcome to the Spring Valley library! We are excited to begin another year with the fantastic students, staff, and parents of Midway ISD! There are some things that are important for you to know about our library.
“The things I want to know are in books;
my best friend is the man who’ll get me a book I ain’t read.”
~Abraham Lincoln
Library Staff:
Jeni Smith – Librarian
Hours:
The library is open from 7:35 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on school days.
Mission Statement:
The mission of the school library program is to ensure that students and staff are effective users of ideas and information, enabling them to be literate, life-long learners. This mission is accomplished by the school library staff in collaboration with the school community:
-By providing intellectual and physical access to materials in multiple formats;
-By providing instruction to foster competence in acquiring and using information and ideas, and in evaluating information resources;
-By providing instruction to foster competence and stimulate interest in reading and literature appreciation; and
-By working with other educators to design and carry out learning experiences to meet the needs of individual students.
Goal:
Midway ISD libraries will meet or exceed the Recognized level of school library service according to guidelines established under Legislative Mandate, Texas Education Code 33.021 by the Texas State Library Commission, in consultation with the Texas State Board of Education.
Book Care Tips:
It is extremely important that book care is stressed at home as well as at school in order for students to learn how to respect books. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind when using any book:
- Carefully turn the bottom corner of pages one at a time to avoid accidental tears. If you do happen to tear a page, please bring it to the librarian to fix with special book tape.
- Never fold the top of a page to mark your spot! Use a bookmark to remember where you stopped reading.
- Avoid using pencils, crayons, glue, or pens anywhere near books.
- Please keep all food and drink away from library books. Hands should be clean and dry when handling library materials.
- Turn your book in on time so other students may also enjoy reading it.
- Make sure that you keep your library book in a safe place at home (inside a plastic bag in the backpack is a great place).
- You may read your library book to younger children, but keep it out of their reach to avoid any rough-handling of the book.
You and your child will be responsible for any items he/she checks out from the library. A fine will be assessed for all books that are lost or damaged.
Thank you for helping us keep our books in great condition and sharing a love of reading with your children. Reading together forms bonds, creates engaging opportunities, and fosters a love of knowledge that can only be gained by sharing the written word. It is a wonderful way to help your students become life-long learners.
“I find television to be very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go in the other room and read a book.”
~Groucho Marx
Check-Out Procedures:
Books are due back within 2 weeks of the check-out date. If a book is kept after the two-week period, the check-out must be renewed. Any late books will assess a fine of5 cents per day. If a book is lost or damaged, the patron will be charged the purchase price of the book.
Kindergarten, first grade, and fourth grade classes will come to the library for a lesson once a week for 30 minutes. Second and third grades will come for 45 minutes per week. Please note your child’s library day and make sure he or she brings the library book to school that day.
Kindergarten students begin checking out books in the 2nd 6 Weeks. First – fourth grade students begin checking out books the week the library opens at the beginning of the school year (usually the second week of school). Kindergarten – 2nd grade students will check out one book at a time. Third and fourth graders are allowed to check out 2 books.
Online Access:
Please visit MISD Libraries online at Click on the Quick Links tab and find Libraries. Simply click on your child’s school and you can access our school’s online catalog (Destiny), databases, events, and other library information.
Accelerated Reader:
Our Accelerated Reader program is a web-based program through Renaissance Learning (RenLearn). Our campus has access to all AR tests through this program. AR tests are not factored into students’ grades, but we encourage our students to read and test on a regular basis. A comprehensive list of books with AR tests can be found on our webpage (Under Book Lists tab) or at
Collection Development Policy:
In selecting materials for purchase, the librarian evaluates the existing collection and consults reputable, unbiased, professionally prepares selection tools as well as specialists from all departments and/or grade levels. In specific areas the librarian follows these procedures:
-The library welcomes books and other resource materials from individuals and organizations, but reserves the discretional rights of placement or rejection. The materials must meet the standards and criteria established within the selection policy adopted by the Midway Independent School Board.
-Multiple copies of items much in demand are purchased as needed.
-Worn or missing standard items are replaced periodically.
-Out-of-date materials or those no longer useful are withdrawn from the collection.
-The following recommended lists may be consulted in the selection of materials for the library, but selection need not be limited to this listing.
Books (Consult latest editions available):
-A to Zoo
-Adventuring with Books
-Best Books for Children
-Best of the Best for Children
-Beyond Picture Books
-Children’s catalog
-The Elementary School Library Collection
-Nonfiction Books for Children
-Science Books for Young People
Periodicals:
-Professional Review Journals
-Book Links
-Book Report
-Booklist
-Horn Book
-Instructor
-Library Talk
-School Library Journal
Other Aids:
-Online bibliographies (such as Elementary School Library Collection and H. W. Wilson’s Children’s Catalog)
-Follett TitleWave
-Caldecott Lists
-Newbery Lists
-Bluebonnet Lists
-Lone Star Reading Lists
-Coretta Scott King Lists
-2X2 Lists
Book suggestions may be made by students, teachers, and parents. The book suggestions will be analyzed using the following criteria:
Criteria for Inclusion:
-Importance of the subject matter to the collection.
-Importance of the subject matter to the curriculum.
-Scarcity of material on the subject, both in the collection and in publication generally.
-Timeliness or permanence of the book.
-Accuracy, authoritativeness, and objectivity.
-Appropriateness for, and ease of use by, the intended audience
- English language
- Non-fiction (including biographies)
- Age Level: 5-11 yrs
- Interest Level: grades kindergarten – 4
- Reading Level: ATOS levels 0.2 - 4.7
-Reputation and standing of publisher
-Community demand.
-Price.
-Physical quality.
-Availability of material elsewhere within an accessible local, regional, or state network.
-Amount of physical preparation necessary for addition to the collection, including availability on the circulating database.
-Requests from faculty and students will be given high priority.
-Reviews should be considered when available.
Format Restrictions:
-Is the material formatted for school use (Does the campus currently own the electronic devices necessary to utilize new material?)?
-Is the material formatted for off-campus use if necessary (Will patrons have access to materials from other locations?)?
-Is material sturdy enough to remain in-tact throughout student usage?
-Will the format of the material require extra time/ money in order to implement/ sustain its usage?
-Does the format availability of the material correlate to the projected usage (Simultaneous, multi-user e-books v e-books)?
Gifts:
Gifts to the campus library are welcomed and appreciated, however; all gifts must be accepted only if they adhere to the selection criteria. Gifts to the library may be brought to the school by parents or students. The materials will be considered based on physical condition, probability of usage, and age-appropriateness. Any gifts deemed inappropriate for school usage will be returned to contributor. Gifts that are found acceptable will be processed and catalogued for patron use.
Gifts to the campus library are irrevocable; those not added to the collection or those deleted from the collection may be disposed of as the library media specialist deems appropriate. Gifts will not be appraised under any circumstances. Bookplates will be placed on books or other items in order to identify and acknowledge contributor.
Reconsiderations/ Challenges:
The District possesses significant discretion to determine the content of its school libraries. The District must, however, exercise its discretion in a manner consistent with the First Amendment.
Removal Materials Selection and Adoption:
Students’ First Amendment rights are implicated by the removal of books from the shelves of a school library. The District shall not remove materials from a library for the purpose of denying students access to ideas with which the District disagrees. The District may remove materials because they are pervasively vulgar or based solely upon the educational suitability of the books in question.
In the event of a book challenge, the selected literature should be presented to the campus librarian. The challenger will be asked to fill out the district form “Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials” (distributed by campus librarian). After form is completed, the challenge will be reviewed by the campus library and administration, then the district curriculum department, and (lastly) district school board.
Bd. Of Educ. V. Pico, 457 U.S. 853 (1982)
“There is no such thing as a moral or an immoral book.
Books are well written, or badly written. That is all.”
~Oscar Wilde
Policy – Evaluation:
-Is the material used consistently (is it checked-out on a weekly basis at minimum)?
-Based on teacher surveys, is material suitable for age and development levels?
-When material is introduced for first time, are students anxious to check it out?
Policy – De-Selection:
-Is the material outdated?
-Is the material in usable condition (not beyond repair)?
-Is the material age-appropriate?
-Is the material accurate and objective?
Once item(s) has been selected for removal from the library media center, it will be determined by the library media specialist which materials will be replaced. This will be accomplished using the following criteria:
-Cost visibility
-Teacher recommendations
-Uniqueness
-Necessity
“It does not matter how many books you may have,
but whether they are good or not.”
~ Lucius Annaeus Senecca, Roman Philosopher
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My Spring Valley student(s) and I have discussed the importance of taking proper care of library books, and we understand that we are financially responsible for any damages, fees, or losses as stated in the policy.
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Parent signatureStudent signature
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Teacher nameDate
We look forward to sharing our love of reading!