Regulation 4045a: Basic Procedures for the Selection of Materials for the School Libraries

It is the primary objective for a school library to provide library materials which will develop (a) critical judgment in the choices of materials, (b) reading skills, and (c) appreciation of literary values.
Other objectives are concerned with the building of a library collection which will (a) satisfy the needs of the curriculum, (b) encourage and develop a love of pleasure reading, and (c) aid in the development of the student's social, intellectual and spiritual values.

Methods of Selection

1. All library materials are selected by the librarian with the cooperation of teachers, principals and, on occasion, students. Final decision for purchase rests with the principal, with the close cooperation of the librarian as a resource person.
2. As often as possible, such materials are evaluated before purchase through reading or examination.
3. Selections are made from reputable professional selection aids, basic book collection lists and standard book reviewing media.

Criteria for Selection

1. Materials are chosen which best meet the needs and interests of all students and teachers and are aligned with the New York State Learning Standards.
2. In all cases, the aim of the librarian is to maintain the highest possible standards of format, accuracy, authoritativeness, and literary merit.
3. It is a basic objective of the librarian to purchase materials representing various points of view concerning problems and issues of our times - international, national and local.
4. Books, and other library materials which meet the criteria mentioned above, are not excluded because of the race, nationality, political or religious views of the author.
5. The use of occasional non-conventional language or realistic incidents in portraying honestly real-life situations does not automatically disqualify books and other materials of proven value.
6. Gifts presented to the library are judged by the same criteria mentioned above and are accepted or rejected on this basis.

Furthermore, we endorse the principles set forth in the School Library Bill of Rights (Endorsed by the Council of the American Library Association, July, 1955) as follows:

School Library Bill of Rights

School libraries are concerned with generating understanding of American freedoms and with the preservation of these freedoms through the development of informed and responsible citizens. To this end, the American Association of School Librarians reaffirms the Library Bill of Rights of the American Library Association and asserts that the responsibility of the school library is:

• To provide materials that will enrich and support the curriculum, taking into consideration the varied interests, abilities, and maturity levels of the pupils served
• To provide materials that will stimulate growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and ethical standards
• To provide a background of information which will enable pupils to make intelligent judgements in their daily life
• To provide materials representative of the many religious, ethnic, and cultural groups and their contributions to our American heritage
• To provide materials on opposing side of controversial issues so that young citizens may develop under guidance the practice of critical reading and thinking
• To place principle above personal opinion and reason above prejudice in the selection of materials of the highest quality in order to assure a comprehensive collection appropriate for the users of the library.

Student Material Selection

Students will have access to materials in their home school library. At the K–1 elementary level, library staff may contact parents for permission before checking out certain books based on the content.

Students will also have access to the full district catalog of library books through our databases. If a child requests to check out a book from a library outside their current grade band (e.g., an elementary student requesting a middle school book, or a middle school student requesting a high school book), written parent/caregiver permission will be required.

Approved by Superintendent of Schools: September 26, 1967
Reaffirmed: September 1, 1996
Revised: July 23, 2024
Revised: September 10, 2025