Curriculum

Library Mission:

​

The libraries of MSAD#49 exist as resources for students and faculty to support and promote educational programs. Through the variety of media and services made available and the teaching of the necessary skills to access these materials, students are given opportunities to develop and pursue personal interests and recognize information skills as life skills. Our libraries build upon one another and are consistent in policies and procedures in order to encourage success and self motivation in their use. The provision of materials and information which will develop an appreciation for the arts and literature, encourage individual research of ideas, events, and practices, and help individuals better understand themselves and their world is basic to our program.

Library Goals

• To assist students and faculty in their quests to locate, analyze, evaluate, interpret, and communicate information across a wide variety of formats and media, encourage recreational reading, and facilitate the integration of personal interests and styles.

• To provide for access to information and materials

• To facilitate use of equipment and technology necessary to access and create information

• To coordinate and team teach with faculty and administration within the school

• To serve as liaison to other District libraries, the State Library, and other sources of information

• To evaluate and update the library collection and access to information and materials

• To explore resources within the community and beyond which further the mission of the library media center

Selection Policy:

• The Library's objective for the selection procedure is to provide students with a wide range of educational materials on all levels of difficulty and in a variety of formats. We select for diversity, appeal and differing points of view.

• The Library’s goal is to provide faculty and students with a collection of materials that enrich and support the curriculum and meet the educational and recreational needs of the scholastic community.

Responsibility For Selection:

The Librarian is responsible to oversee selection of Library resources. Selection may involve professional staff and others qualified by curriculum familiarity and training in the following criteria of Library resource selection.

• educational significance

• contribution the subject matter makes to the curriculum and to the

• interests of the students

• favorable reviews found in standard selection sources

• favorable recommendations based on preview and examination of

• materials by professional personnel.

• reputation and significance of the author, producer, and publisher

• validity, currency, and appropriateness’ of material

• contribution the material makes to breadth of representative

• viewpoints on controversial issues

• user appeal

• artistic and/or literary quality

• quality and variety of format

• value commensurate with cost and/or need

• timeliness or permanence

These criteria govern Library Resource selection:

• Library resources consistent with the general educational goals of the State of Maine, the District, and the aims and objectives of Lawrence Junior High School and specific courses.

• Library resources shall meet high quality standards for factual content and presentation.

• Library resources shall be appropriate for the subject area and for the age, emotional development, ability level, learning styles, and social development of students.

• Physical format and appearance of Library resources shall be suitable for their intended use.

• Library resources shall be designed to encourage informed judgment and to motivate students and staff to examine the duties, responsibilities, rights, and privileges of citizenship.

• Library resources shall be selected for strengths, not rejected for weaknesses.

• The selection of Library resources will be directed toward maintaining a collection representing diverse points of view.

• Library resources shall clarify concepts and issues by presenting and analyzing objectively, and emphasizing recognition and understanding.

Kinds of material selected:

Materials relevant to the instructional program.

Materials appropriate for the reading level and understanding of students' varying literacy and skill abilities.

Materials reflecting the interests and needs of the school community.

Materials warranting inclusion in the collection due to literary and artistic merit.

Materials presenting information with accuracy, clarity, depth and breadth of coverage about issues.

Materials presenting fair and unbiased information. On controversial issues, the Librarian, in cooperation with the faculty,

should select materials representing many shades of opinion, in order that differing points of view are available for students to assess

Materials that serve the recreational and personal information needs of students and staff.

Selection Procedures

1. Reputable, professionally prepared selection aids and other appropriate evaluation tools will guide selection. We prefer to examine the item under consideration, when possible.

2. Recommendations from administrators,teachers,students,district personnel, and community members are welcomed.

3. We select gift materials by the same criteria that guide selection of new media.

4. Selection is an ongoing process that includes the removal of materials no longer appropriate (called weeding) and the replacement of lost and worn materials still of educational value.

5. Efforts shall be made to solicit requests, suggestions and reactions to library materials under consideration.

6. Professionally recognized, objective review periodicals, standard catalogs, awards, lists, and other selection aids guide selection.

7. To the extent possible, practicable, and necessary, professional staff will examine preview copies of selected library materials

Although suggestions from faculty, parents, and students are considered, the Librarian approves final selection.

Gifts and Special Materials

Gifts, sponsored materials, expensive materials, ephemera, and special requests must meet the same criteria for selection, cataloging, classification, and inclusion in the library collection that govern purchased materials.

Controversial Materials Policy

Per District policy: Library staff will report a complaint to the building principal, whether received by telephone, letter, or personal conversation.