BCSD Materials Selection Guidelines

Bettendorf Community School District Libraries

Materials Selection Guidelines

The Bettendorf Community School District Library collections are developed to support curriculum goals and to provide for the diverse needs and interests of our students. Our school libraries endeavor to provide large collections of current and high-quality materials.
For the teacher-librarian to make informed choices, the selection materials guidelines include well-established criteria to guide the selection process. The criteria utilized is a blend of general and specific to enable the teacher-librarian to select materials in all subject and interest areas.
Following recommendations from classroom teachers, teacher-librarians, and other professional colleagues, materials are carefully evaluated and selected from established reviewing sources.
The collections are evaluated frequently to assure that the collections meet the changing needs of stakeholders.
If any concerns about materials arise, please contact the school’s teacher-librarian or access the BCSD School Board policies (600s Educational Programs).

General Criteria:

Support and enhance the curriculum and students’ personal interests.
Be appropriate for the subject area and the age,ability level, and social, emotional, and intellectual development of the students for whom the materials are selected.
Incorporate accurate and authentic factual content.
Exhibit a high degree of potential user appeal and interest.
Represent multiple viewpoints on a variety of topics.
Provide a global perspective and promote diversity by including materials by authors and illustrators of all cultures.
Reflect the population the library serves.
Refer to professional reviewing sources (see below) and/or favorable recommendations based on preview and examination of materials by professional personnel.

Examples of School Library Professional Reviewing Sources: