New Requirements for School Libraries

This information will be of special interest to those districts going through the accreditation process this year. There is a new requirement for school library programs on the On-Site Document Review Checklist for Public School Districts. (These requirements do not apply to accredited non-public schools).

POLICIES
Chapter 12 General Accreditation Policies to address selection and reconsideration of school library materials; confidentiality of student library records; and legal and ethical use of information resources, including plagiarism and intellectual property rights 281—IAC 12.3(12)(c)

Guidance
IASB Sample Policies: 506.1 (last updated, 10/10/02), 605.1, 605.3, 605.7 (all last updated, 8/31/07)

Discussion
Most districts have these four policies in place, as they have been part of the American Association for School Librarians guidelines for years. The concern may be on the age of the policies and their relevance in this Internet age. Carol Greta and Mary Gannon will explain these policy requirements at an ICN session Monday, November 17 from 3:30-5:00 p.m. Registration is at http://www.iptv.org/iowa_database/event-detail.cfm?ID=9091. A statewide group is working with IASB to update sample policies. Sample policies will be at http://www.iasl-ia.org/resources.php.

LIBRARY PROGRAM
Library program 281—IAC 12.3(12): a. The district employs a qualified teacher librarian. Evidence: Provide the name and folder number for the person(s) employed as teacher librarian or a copy of his/her license. This includes information for individuals whose services are contracted through another district or AEA. b. Program is regularly reviewed and revised and designed to provide:
• methods to improve library collections to meet student and staff needs
• connections with parents and the community
• support for the district’s school improvement plan
• access to or support for professional development for the teacher librarian
• current technology and electronic resources
• current and diverse collection of fiction and nonfiction materials in a variety of formats
• a plan for annually updating and replacing library materials, supports, and equipment

Guidance
A reference document entitled “Iowa School Library Program Guidelines: Libraries, Literacy, and Learning for the 21st Century” is available for download from the Iowa Department of Education Web site at http://www.iowa.gov/educate/content/view/959/1594/.

Discussion
School Library Program Guidelines can be used to audit the status of a district's program. Find these guidelines at http://www.iowa.gov/educate/content/view/959/493/. These guidelines help determine whether the school library program is at Level 1 (meeting the requirement), Level 2 (making progress) or Level 3 (best practice). Many teacher librarians use this as a planning tool with the principal and curriculum coordinator as it solicits evidence that guidelines are/are not being met, actions and goals. It can also be used as an organizational tool when preparing for a school improvement site visit.