Chenango Valley Central School District

Section I – Policy No. 3
Adopted: 04/20/77
Reviewed: 02/14/07, 04/20/09, 02/19/14, 01/21/26
Revised: 04/21/99, 03/21/01, 03/19/03, 03/16/05, 01/20/16, 03/21/18, 04/20/20, 03/23/22, 01/17/24

I.

It is the policy of the Chenango Valley Central School District Board of Education that library materials be selected:

a. To establish a comprehensive, modern library which reflects and is responsive to the curriculum needs and interests of students and support of the instructional program;
b. To create at an early age a strong, positive attitude toward reading;
c. To support the physical, emotional and societal growth and development of students; and

II.

Further, it is the Board of Education policy that:

a. Materials are selected by Library Media Specialists or designee.
b. Before purchase of library materials, consideration is given to:

1. general purpose and appropriateness of grade level;

2. timeliness or permanence;

3. quality of writing and production;

4. authoritativeness;

5. reputation of publisher, producer, author and artist; and

6. format and price

Whenever possible materials are examined firsthand, but when this is impractical, decisions for purchase must be made on the basis of professional reviews, approved or recommended lists and faculty or staff recommendation.

c. While some materials are acquired through donations, they are graciously accepted with the understanding that they will be used, discarded or traded based upon the librarian’s or designee’s professional judgment and in light of the needs of the library.

III.

Further, it is the Board of Education policy and understanding that:

a. Libraries should provide information that adequately discusses issues suitable for students;
b. Any library material is potentially open to criticism;
c. Students shall have the privilege to select, within the bounds of the assigned subject matter, those materials that appeal to them.
d. Any selection rule, out of necessity, must be in general terms since every library material must be considered separately. If, on balance, a material’s strengths outweigh its weaknesses, it may be chosen for the library collection.

Library Materials Considered Questionable

Library materials considered questionable for use by students are treated as follows:

1. The use of profanity or frankness in dealing with sex may be controversial, but when materials open a clearer vision of life, develops understanding of other people or breaks down intolerance, these virtues must be weighed against the possible harm to be done by some offending work or passage in the book, particularly where taste rather than morals is the issue;

2. Religious books of an obviously denominational nature whose primary purpose is to present one sect as superior to another are not purchased for collections, nor are books that belittle any faith. Only well-written books that make no attempt to sway the emotions of the student toward or against any one faith should be included in collections for students;

3. Materials that are evaluated as questionable but ultimately approved for student use belong on open shelves of student collections and are thereby treated in the same fashion as books on other subjects.