a) Materials will be selected which are appropriate to meet the learning needs of Deerfield students keeping in mind the diversity of students’ interests, levels of sophistication, and learning styles.

b) Suggestions and reactions from teachers, those involved in the curriculum design process, students, and other constituencies, will be considered in the selection of materials.

c) In the event that an individual requests the review of an item, the School Board will maintain an objective opinion about the item, while it is under consideration. The item will remain on the shelf during the consideration process.

d) Materials will at all times be selected for inclusion in both the classroom and the Media Center on the basis of what they can add to the learning process. Emphasis will be placed upon the positive process of the selection of useful materials rather than on the negative process on censorship. During the selection process an item will be reviewed keeping in mind the criteria listed on the form called "Selection Rating Form," which is included as Appendix B.

IV. Types of materials covered by this policy:

This selection policy deals with the following types of materials:

a) Classroom textbooks

APPROVED: October, 1992

REAFFIRMED: November, 1994

b) Supplementary classroom materials

c) Audiovisual materials used in the classroom, including filmstrips, films, audio tapes, video tapes, microforms, maps, charts, three dimensional models, computer programs

d) Both print and non-print materials in the Media Center, including periodicals, pamphlets, and computer programs.

a) Discuss the matter directly with the faculty member who is using the materials in question at a mutually convenient time. This discussion may provide further information about the rationale behind selection of the item(s) in question and resolve the concern.

b) If the matter is not resolved, your concern may be forwarded in writing to the building principal. Your letter should:

c) Within ten (10) business days of receipt of a letter of concern, the principal will convene a committee to review the material in question and objections to its use:

VII. Special applications of this policy to the Media Center:

a) Because the Media Center houses a great diversity of types of materials, it is particularly important to select items for the collection which will make a positive contribution to the learning process. Materials should be chosen after the following questions have been asked:

b) As with the selection of classroom materials, literary merit, reputation of the author or producer, technical quality, and cost, should all be considered during the selection process. Other factors which should be considered are requests of faculty members and students and the need to achieve a balanced point of view on a particular subject within the collection. When selecting potentially controversial materials, the media specialist will complete the "Selection Rating Form," and she/he will consult a respected review source, such as the following:

c) The process of adding materials to the collection will be carried out as a positive process of selection rather than as the negative process of censorship. Materials will be selected according to the guidelines of the "School Library Bill of Rights," which is included as Appendix D.

a) Materials should be discarded from the classroom and/or Media Center collection when they are no longer relevant to the learning process. This may be because they have become worn and tattered, because they are out of date, or because they no longer support curriculum needs.

b) When books, audiovisual materials, or periodicals are discarded from the collection, they should be incinerated, dispersed to the teachers for classroom use, if appropriate, or sold.