Explanatory Standard: Maintaining a Quality Library and Media Program (Expiring)
The school maintains a centralized library/media center which:
- serves as a center for the promotion of learning and an integral factor in the instructional program;
- has a long-range development plan that includes technology;
- offers use of library instruction and research training in both print and electronic resources;
- meets the needs of the instructional program;
- has policies and procedures which reflect the school’s Christian philosophy in the selection of books and materials and contains a selection and review policy to evaluate the appropriateness of materials for the library/media center;
- contains a minimum of 1,500 usable and acceptable library volumes or 10 volumes per student, whichever is greater;
- maintains a comprehensive and balanced information and media collection consisting of current media, books, reference sources, and periodicals in print and electronic formats that support student learning, are appropriate for the age and intellectual abilities of the students, supports the curriculum and the instructional program, and reflects the Christian mission of the school;
- ensures that all students and staff members have regular, ready access to information and media services, materials, and equipment;
- maintains audio-visual/technology equipment and materials that are balanced in variety and adequate in quantity to meet the needs of the school’s curriculum and instructional presentations;
- properly catalogues its holdings and makes them accessible to all students;
- maintains an annual budget that includes sufficient expenditures to support a comprehensive, balanced, and growing information and media collection; additional funds are allocated for the purchase of furniture and fixtures as needed;
- ensures that the information and media staff collaborates with other professional staff members to attain maximum benefit from the resources;
- possesses a policy and procedure for responding to challenged materials;
- possesses and publishes a policy on acceptable use of the Internet.
- systematically organizes and formally lists books, material, and audio visual equipment whether the library is centralized or decentralized.
- makes available a variety of well-maintained media equipment and programs (video and audio) for classroom use in support of the curriculum.
- Early Childhood Centers may have either a centralized or decentralized library utilized by the children. The library shall contain a minimum of 10 quality, hard bound books per child. Selection of the books shall be determined in accordance with the developmental needs of the young child.
- Books, material, and audio visual equipment shall be systematically organized and formally listed whether the library is centralized or decentralized.
- A variety of well-maintained media equipment shall be available for classroom use. Videos/DVD’s are used on a limited basis, if necessary to support the curriculum.
The school assigns personnel to the library/media center according to the following formula based upon student population:
- a full time librarian is employed if enrollment is 400 or more full-time equivalent students (FTE).
- a half-time librarian is employed if the enrollment is 100 to 399 (FTE).
- a library consultant is retained if the enrollment is less than 100 (FTE) who consults monthly (regularly) to assist non-qualified staff in planning, instruction, and management for the library program.
The school assigns personnel to the library/media center with regard to professional training as follows:
A full-time librarian/media specialist or consultant who satisfies one of the following criteria:
- has state certification in library/media science, or
- is certifiable in library/media science, or
- has a degree in library/media science or documentation of active pursuit of such; or,
- has an academic background and experience to warrant assignment to this important task by the school which is verified in writing for submission to the visiting team chair.
A part-time librarian/media specialist who has:
- completed a minimum of 12 credit hours in library/media science, or
- has an academic background and experience to warrant assignment to this important task, which is verified in writing for submission to the visiting team chair.
- Early childhood stand-alone programs are exempt from library/media personnel qualifications.
- A full-time librarian/media specialist or consultant who satisfies one of the following criteria: