Policies

= Policies Impacting Information Services =

Auburn City Schools
"It is the policy of the school LMC to follow existing copyright laws and maintain ethical standards in the use of copyrighted materials for instructional purposes. We support the laws as defined by the courts and the Auburn City Board of Education. Administrators and LMC staff will assist staff members in interpreting these policies. Educational “Fair Use” is not a justification for defying the Law."
 * Any resources used in any type of project must be given proper credit.
 * Consider materials found on the Internet to be copyrighted unless specifically noted as “copyright free” or “royalty free.”
 * Copyrighted materials on the Internet have the same rights and protection as any other copyrighted materials.
 * Access to information does not mean freedom to copy and use.
 * Multimedia projects cannot be posted on your web site without prior permission from every copyright holder whose work was used.
 * Archival copies may not be used unless the original is destroyed.

//Students and teachers will be using reference resources to access information and gain knowledge. It is important that they are educated in the ethical use of these resources as well as the proper ways to cite their sources. This list of reminders is student and teacher friendly way of respecting copyright for reference materials. This information could be posted near the reference section, computers, and copiers.//

DeKalb Public Schools- Reference Materials p. 5
"Reference materials are to be used by students in the library media center. Teachers may borrow reference materials for use in their classroom when necessary."

Tucker Elementary School- Circulation Policy
"Selected reference materials may be checked out over night."

West Genesee Central School District - __[|Reference / Encyclopedia Sign out]__
"Students in grades 2-5 are allowed to borrow from selected encyclopedias to use for research at home. They do have one week to borrow this book, but I do ask that if the research is finished earlier, please return the material as soon as possible."

//Reference materials are not often available for circulation; however, these three policies put resources in the hands of teachers and students by allowing a more flexible circulation of reference resources. These policies are evidence of a library program that recognizes that the purpose of all library materials is to impact student achievement.//

**Weiner High School Library-** Selection of Materials and Challenged Materials
"The reconsideration committee reads, views, or listens to the material in its entirety. The committee checks general professional acceptance of the material by reading reviews and consulting recommended lists. The committee will weigh values and faults and form opinions based on the material as a whole rather than on passages or sections taken out of context. The committee shall consider whether the challenged resource conforms to the principles of selection outlined in the district’s selection policy and shall discuss the challenged material in the context of the educational program. The reconsideration committee may choose to consult district support staff and/or community persons with related professional knowledge."

//This policy details a standard procedure for reconsidering materials that includes filing a formal complaint,forming a committee, and making a decision. A strength of this policy is that it is directly related to the selection of materials policy and the criteria used for collection development. Several criteria from this school's selection policy should be considered when purchasing information service materials such as "supporting cirriculum needs, provide information services, accuracy and authority of material, presentation of various points of view free from bias, and favorable review from standard selection sources." These criteria are the ones that a challenged material will be evaluated against during the reconsideration procedure. The relationship between a selection policy and reconsideration policy is important in providing the best resources and justification for reference resources.//

** University Laboratory High School Library- ** Online Information Policy
"In the University Laboratory High School Library setting, the Internet is a resource which provides timely access to students' //information// needs."

//The link to this policy gives more detail to the specific purposes, rights, and responsibilities for student technology use. This policy relates directly to information services by clearly stating that the purpose of electronic resources is to meet the information needs of students. This policy also discusses the computer literacy program provided by the library and technology specialists to develop information literacy skills and responsible ethical use of technology. It gives links to the Electronic Information Policy statement from the ALA which respects the privacy of user's access to electronic information. This policy is unique among most AUP's because it recognizes the advantages of electronic information to the library collection and invites students to use the resources while also setting boundaries necessary for a public school setting.//

** SAG Elementary School **
"We graciously accept gifts and donations toward providing our school with the best possible resources for learning. Donated items will be considered with the same selection criteria as other resources in the collection. The librarian reserves the right to utilize the item in the best interest of the school and library curriculum. The librarian does not appraise or attach monetary value to any items but will provide a letter of receipt. Gifts may be made to the library budget through donations or towards purchase of specific items. This may be handled through a meeting with the librarian. Books in memory or honor may be purchased and proudly displayed with a special book card by meeting with the librarian. Effort will be made to purchase a mutually pleasing resource. All donated or gifted items will be evaluated based on enhancement to the mission and goals of the school and library."

//Librarians can receive both trash and treasure from businesses and people with good intentions. This policy was written to seem open and accessible for donations but set clear guidelines for their utilization. Reference materials can be costly to purchase and update. A clear gift policy allows librarians to make good use of extra resources during tight budget years while not distracting from the mission of the library program.//