AISC LIBRARIES

Learning resources shall meet high standards of quality in: a. Artistic quality and/or literary style b. Educational significance c. Favorable reviews and/or recommendations d. Factual content e. Physical format f. Presentation g. Readability h. Technical quality

F. In selecting learning resources, librarians will evaluate available resources and curriculum needs and will consult reputable, professionally prepared aids and other appropriate sources. Among sources to be consulted are professional library journals, educational blogs, annual award lists, and Follett Titlewave reviews and collection analyses.

G. Donated Materials a. Gift materials shall be judged by the criteria outlined in the library selection policy and shall be accepted or rejected by those criteria. Acceptance of donated materials does not imply that the materials will become part of the library collection. Donated items may be given to a teacher for classroom use or to individual students, to another institution, recycled, discarded, or made a part of the annual book swap.

Reconsideration of Challenged Materials

A. Intellectual Freedom: AISC supports the Library Bill of Rights and The Freedom to Read statements formulated by the American Library Association, and they serve as the basis for this policy. In the event library materials are questioned, the principles of intellectual freedom shall be defended.

B. Challenges to Library Materials: Despite the quality of the selection process, objections to library materials may be made. No materials shall be removed from the library pending a decision. The procedure for handling objections is outlined below.

1. Any patron who questions the appropriateness of any library material should first schedule an appointment with the sectional librarian. At this time, the librarian will provide the patron with a copy of the Library Selection Policy and inform them of the procedure for handling objections.

2. If the question about appropriateness cannot be resolved during the meeting, the patron may choose to file a Request for Reconsideration of Library Materials. If the librarian does not receive this form completed within two weeks, the issue will be considered closed and no further action will be taken.

3. Once the patron returns the completed form to the librarian, the librarian will forward a copy to the sectional principal and head of school.

4. The librarian and principal will appoint a committee to review the complaint. This committee will consist of: a. the librarian b. the principal c. two teachers, both of whom should have knowledge of the nature of the challenged material and at least one of whom is a member of the relevant library’s school section. d. a member of the parent community as designated by the PCA Chair

5. The evaluating committee will read and consider the material with the specific objections in mind within two weeks of receiving the official complaint. The committee will communicate its decision in writing to the patron filing the complaint. During the evaluation, the committee must: a. bear in mind principles of freedom to learn and to read, basing a decision on these broad principles than on defense of individual materials; b. read available reviews of the material under evaluation; c. consult collections of other international schools; d. consider passages in question as part of the work’s larger context; opinions should be based on the material as a whole.

6. The Head of School shall inform the Board of any formal challenge to library materials. If the patron filing the complaint is not satisfied with the evaluating committee’s decision, they may appeal to the Head of School. The Head of School’s decision is final.

7. Further guidance is available to the evaluating committee considering a challenge to library materials in “Interpretations of the Library Bill of Rights.”

Library Events

The AISC Libraries sponsor several whole school events throughout the school year, including:

• Titles and Treats

• LitWeek

• Earth Week Book Swap

• Outdoor Movie Night

• Book Fairs

End of School Year Procedures

Library patrons are welcome to check out materials for the summer break until the last day of school, provided they have no overdue items pending and will be returning to AISC the following year. Library staff will carry out inventory of the collections for one week in May of each school year and will ask for all library materials to be returned prior. The libraries will be closed for checkouts during this time.

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty policies can be found in the relevant sectional handbooks.