Lincoln Public Schools

Mission Statement / Essential Element 2

Resources

An investment in human, financial, and physical resources is critical in order to provide an effective library media program. Learners need information resources that are current, accurate, and developmentally appropriate. This includes a diverse collection of high quality print, non print, and technology-based materials, such as:

• materials to deliver the curriculum (i.e., fiction and nonfiction books, audio and visual resources, and electronically stored and transferred information)
• certificated library media specialists and trained support staff who assist teachers and learners
• technology and equipment necessary to manage, produce and utilize materials
• materials that meet diverse abilities, learning styles, teaching strategies, and interests
• materials that represent multiple perspectives and reflect diverse ethnicities and cultures
• materials that are accessible from many places and in a variety of ways
• materials that are continually evaluated for quality, currency, accuracy and curricular relevance
• materials that reflect a differing of viewpoints about important issues

The library media program provides intellectual and physical access to information and ideas for learning. The program is founded on a commitment to the right of intellectual freedom and provides resources that may reflect differing viewpoints about controversial issues.

Students need current, accurate information resources. A diverse and well selected array of resources allows students to access information, compare and contrast facts and opinions, evaluate content, and construct knowledge based on the information that they have acquired. While the district and the LPS Foundation National Library Power Initiative supplied significant funding to upgrade library print and non print collections, there is an ongoing need to provide up-to-date materials that support curriculum initiatives and also to meet the varied reading needs of students. A scan of the Dynix database indicates that there are deficiencies in school collections in specific areas, such as: reading materials at various ability levels, careers, and multicultural resources.

To ensure that quality resources and services are made available to all schools, staff and students, the recommended percentage of principals' allocations should continue to be designated for the purchase of LMC resources and supplies to support user needs. Program improvement curriculum studies (SIM) should address the purchase of LMC resources that are expected to support new and evolving curriculum and the infusion of multicultural resources. Core library media technology standards should have been developed and are being implemented in all schools to assure equity of technology resources across the district.

Each school should develop a collection development plan that assesses the overall quality, condition and degree of curriculum support that is present now, together with a long range plan for collection improvement in the future. Plans should include the following considerations: district selection policy, circulation data, staff and student requests, curriculum topics, multicultural needs, and inventory data. School library resources in district library media centers should be used for the benefit of all students and staff within the district as needed. Systems should be developed to provide reliable and timely delivery of resources shared among schools and the public libraries.

The Library Media Services Department should help schools by providing professional resources and services that are more cost-effectively purchased and circulated from a central location. These resources and services include maintenance agreements, site licenses, film/video materials, media cataloging and processing, and a professional library. The Library Media Services Department should support the long range acquisition, replacement, and maintenance of library media equipment, including technology, for schools. The Library Media Services Department should provide guidance and resources in the area of multicultural materials including reviews, realia, displays, collection of print and non print materials, and author visits. District support for the transportation of materials between schools is needed in order to achieve the goals of resource sharing.

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