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Collection Development

Collection development in Bastrop ISD involves the ongoing evaluation, selection, acquisition, and deselection of library resources to meet the needs of both current and potential users. This process is supported by regular collection maintenance practices and is aligned with Board Policy EFB Local. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the District provides a wide range of library materials for students and faculty that support student achievement and present varying levels of difficulty, diversity of appeal, and a variety of points of view. This policy also provides standards for collection development and the selection and evaluation of library materials.

Our goal is to create an inclusive learning environment that complies with all legal standards. Bastrop ISD does not remove titles based on the background of authors, the characters, or the viewpoints expressed. We are committed to providing diverse perspectives and fostering critical thinking among our students.

 

Collection Development Goals

In addition to the requirements in state law and rules, the District's library collections shall:

  1. Present multiple viewpoints related to controversial issues.
  2. Provide a wide range of background information that will enable students to make intelligent decisions in their daily lives.
  3. Include accurate and authentic factual content from authoritative sources.
  4. Have a high degree of potential user appeal and interest.
  5. Offer a global perspective that promotes equity of access, including print and nonprint materials such as electronic and multimedia, to meet the needs of individual learners.
  6. Represent diverse viewpoints and cultural groups of the state and their contributions to the state, the nation, and the world, to ensure the collection embodies the background of all students.

 

Procurement Standards

District certified librarians and other professional staff shall ensure that library materials:

  1. Enrich and support the TEKS and the state and local curriculum, taking into consideration students' varied interests, maturity levels, abilities, and learning styles.
  2. Foster growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and societal standards.
  3. Encourage the enjoyment of reading, foster high-level thinking skills, support personal learning, and encourage discussion based on rational analysis.
  4. Represent ethnic, religious, and cultural groups of the state and their contributions to the state, the nation, and the world.

 

Selection Criteria

At least two of the following factors must be considered when selecting library materials:

  • Recommendations from students, parents or guardians, teachers, and District residents.
  • Consultation with District teachers and library staff.
  • Consultation with library staff from other districts.
  • Extensive review of the library material.
  • Context of the library material, including overall fit within the existing collection and support of
  • District curriculum.
  • Reviews of the library material from sources such as professional journals in library science,
  • recognized professional education or content journals with book reviews, national and state
  • award recognition lists, library science field experts, and highly acclaimed author and literacy
  • expert recommendations.
  • Coverage of topics, authors, series, or genres that fill gaps in the school library collection.

 

Family Access

Bastrop ISD offers a wide selection of library materials to support student learning, catering to different reading levels, diverse interests, and a variety of viewpoints. While students are encouraged to independently choose their own library materials as part of their literacy development, parents and guardians are the primary decision-makers regarding their child's access to these materials. The District provides a publicly accessible online catalog for each school library, allowing parents to see the available print books. Learn more about how to monitor and manage access to library materials here.

 

Library Material Reconsideration

If you feel a library material in the collection does not meet or follow district policy or collection development goals, please read about our process for Library Material Reconsideration.