Library Collection Development
This procedure guides teacher-librarians and informs the community about the process for selecting, acquiring, evaluating and maintaining library information and technology program materials. The objective of each program is to implement, support and enrich the district’s education program.

To best meet the unique needs of each school, the district will strive to create a library collection based upon an assessment of student and staff needs. This will be accomplished by the following:
1.    Providing curricular and personal resource materials for students and faculty;
2.    Providing materials that meet the interests, vocabulary, maturity and ability levels of students;
3.    Providing a diversity of materials to achieve a balance of sources and perspectives;
4.    Fostering reading as a lifelong activity through exposure to printed and digital materials; 
5.    Including materials in the collection because of their academic, literary, or artistic value and merit.

Library Materials and Electronic Resources
    Library materials or digital services are those items accessible through the library information and technology program that provide support for an area of the curriculum, information for independent study, or resources for enrichment and recreational interest. Electronic resources include access to electronic documents, databases, periodicals, digital multimedia, and websites.

Suggestions for Acquisition 
    Students, parents, community members, or teachers may suggest materials for the district to acquire Library information and technology staff will weight requests, evaluate materials, and select those material that fulfill the needs of the instructional program. Teacher-librarians in each school determine final selections.

    District parents/guardians who wish to monitor their student’s access to library materials may do so by contacting their student’s Librarian who can provide remote access through the online library interface (e.g. Destiny). Additionally, parent/guardians may request to remove library checkout privileges for their student by contacting the Librarian.

Selection
 
Teacher-librarians will use multiple sources to select materials. Those sources may include the following:

Vendor catalogs, American Historical Fiction, Basic Book Collection for Elementary Grades, the Best in Children’s Books, Children and Books, Children’s Catalog, Elementary School Library Collection, European Historical Fiction and Biography, Guide to Sources in Educational Media, Junior High School Catalog Reference Books For School Libraries, Subject Guide To Children’s Books in Print, Subject Index to Books for Intermediate Grades, Subject Index to Books for Primary Grades, and Westinghouse Learning Directory.

Teacher-librarians may also use current review journals like AASA Science Books and Films, American Film & Video Association Evaluations, Kirkus Reviews, Media and Methods, School Library Journal, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, Horn Book, KLIATT,VOYA, and Booklist.
 

1.    All items selected for placement in the school library will do the following:
a.    Support and be consistent with the state’s and district’s goals and the aims and objectives of individual schools and specific courses;
b.    Support and be consistent with school library media and information literacy standards established by the American Association of School Librarians and the content area standards established by the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction 
c.    Meet high standards of quality in factual content and presentation from a variety of sources;
d.    Contain appropriate subject matter for the age, emotional development, ability level, learning needs, and social development of the students for whom they are selected;
e.    Serve the intended purpose for library materials;
f.    Help students gain awareness of our pluralistic society;
g.    Motivate students and staff to examine duties, responsibilities, rights, and privileges as participating citizens in our society and make informed judgements in their daily lives; 
h.    Withstand scrutiny based on their strengths 
i.    Clarify historical and contemporary forces by objectively presenting and analyzing intergroup tension and conflict, emphasizing on recognizing and understanding social and economic problems.

Gifts/Donations
Materials donated to the school library will be accepted or declined in accordance with the criteria applied to the purchase of materials.

Resources Acquisition and Review Process
    When acquiring new library books the Librarian will consult with Common Sense Media’s research-based, independent rating system (https://www.commonsensemedia.org/about-us/our-mission/about-our-ratings) to identify grade/age level recommendation. If the resource has not been reviewed by Common Sense Media, the Librarian will seek another nationally-recognized review service such as School Library Journal, Follett, Booklist, Kirkus, or Hornbook Reviews if available.

    When Common Sense Media (or alternative service when not available) identifies a library book whose beginning age/grade level recommendation exceeds the age/grade span the library serves (e.g. 12 and up for elementary school, 15 and up for middle school, 18 and up/adult for high school), but otherwise meets criteria for consideration for circulation as outlined in this procedure, the Librarian will provide a list of the suggested materials to the district’s communications department. The department will make available the list of proposed books for not less than two weeks for public review and input. The district will advertise the list of recommended resources to be acquired on the district’s website through multiple communication methods. Resident community members with questions or concerns are asked to address the matter with the school Librarian.

    In accordance with procedure 2020, library books acquired by the Librarian necessary to support college-level classes taught at the high school such as Running Start, College in the High School and AP/Honors programs, as a result of their advanced Lexile reading levels, are exempt from this procedure.

    Gifts/Donations
    Materials donated to the school, classroom or similar libraries will be accepted or declined in accordance with the criteria applied to the selection of materials.

A.    Collection Assessment 
De-selection (weeding out) of outdated and damaged materials is a natural part of the library’s life cycle and maintenance of the quality and integrity of the collection. Teacher-librarians will evaluate the library collection on a continuing basis to ensure that it meets the district’s mission statement and goals.

Considerations for De-selection
Teacher-librarians will consider the following in deciding what materials to de-select:

1. Whether the subject matter is out of date or no longer relevant to the instructional program;
2. Whether the item is worn, soiled, missing pages, antiquated in appearance or unattractive;
3. Whether the item has circulated within a reasonable amount of time.
4. Whether a newer edition has superseded the item;
5. Whether the materials perpetuate cultural, ethnic, or sexual stereotypes;
6. Whether the materials aren’t appropriate for students’ reading levels 
7. Whether the materials contain appropriate subject matter for the age, emotional development, and social development of the students for whom they were selected
8. Whether there are already multiple copies of an item

B.    Library Materials Review Committee
    The Library Materials Review Committee is formed to respond to requests when reconsideration and/or acquisition of library media materials is proposed from a resident stakeholder. The committee will consist of at least one school librarian, at least one building principal, one member from the Teaching and Learning or Equity department, at least one teacher, and at least one student from the Superintendent’s High School Student Advisory Council (with prior parent permission). Additionally, 5 Walla Walla Public Schools parent representatives will be sought at random from a list curated from parent volunteers following a public announcement. Parent representatives shall maintain at least one WWPS enrolled child at the school level (e.g. elementary, middle or high) that the book/resource is being considered. The Superintendent will identify a non-voting facilitator who will oversee the process.

Requests for Review and Removal of Library Media Materials

1.    Request for Review: A parent or legal guardian of a student enrolled in the district (a “parent”) may submit a written request to review and remove library materials to the applicable teacher-librarian and principal.

2.    Seeking Resolution: If the parent requests, the school will arrange a meeting with the parent, the principal, and the teacher-librarian to address the parent’s concerns and find solutions.

3.    Principal’s Decision: If the issue cannot be resolved, the principal, in consultation with a teacher-librarian, will review the materials and issue a written decision on whether to remove them. The decision must be issued within 30 days of meeting with the parent or within 60 days of receiving the request to review and remove if the parent doesn’t request a meeting.

4.    Appeal Process: If the parent or teacher-librarian disagrees with the principal’s decision, they may appeal to the superintendent or designee in writing. The superintendent’s or designee’s decision is final and cannot be appealed. Once the final decision is made, the same materials may not be reconsidered for at least three years unless the superintendent determines a significant change in circumstances arises.

The decisions made under this process must comply with RCW 28A.320.233, will be based on the criteria for selecting and de-selecting library materials described in this procedure, and may apply only to the student or students whose parent submitted the request to review and reconsider.

If the correct criteria and process were followed, the decision of the Committee stands. If it is determined they were not followed, the Board of Directors will determine the outcome of the challenge.

The superintendent or designee will notify the complainant of the findings of the board’s review.

The decision regarding challenged materials will not be subject to reconsideration for a minimum of three years, unless there is a substantive change of circumstances as determined by the superintendent.

Forms:
    1. Request for Reconsideration of Library/Media Materials form.
Revised: July 2025