Administrative Policy Handbook and Issues Paper Assignment

Renée Jackson
ITEC 7132

This policy handbook is based on the current policies for the School Board of Henry County, Georgia.

Policy Related Policy in Henry Evaluation of Current Policy New Policy or Changes Needed to
County found at: Current Policy
https://eboard.eboardsolutions.
com/Index.aspx?S=4088
Intellectual Freedom No policy found Although there is a policy for New Policy
complaints, there is no specific mention http://www.cesa10.k12.wi.us/services/imc/pdf
of Intellectual Freedom. s/policy.pdf this example shows a policy
based on principles expressed by ALA and
NCTE philosophy, and inherent in the First
Amendment.
Acquisition DJE Current policy outlines purchasing http://www.bibalex.org/libraries/Presentation/
Date adopted: 1/12/2009 process, limits, and ethics but could be Static/15630.aspx shows a very thorough
more detailed in terms of consideration and well thought out policy which includes
of vendors, delivery and processing of consideration of vendors, delivery, and
materials. It is not as relevant to media processing.
materials as it could be.
Media Advisory IFA This policy adequately outlines who http://schools.bibb.k12.ga.us/1620209199372
Committee Date adopted: 10/01/1987 should be on the committee but not 1967/blank/browse.asp?
Last revised: 11/13/2006 what their responsibilities should be. a=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&c=58276&
16202091993721967Nav=|&NodeID=1905
This policy defines committee members and
describes their involvement in selection and
appeal of materials.
Selection IFA Listed under Educational Goals for the http://www.cesa10.k12.wi.us/services/imc/pdf
Date adopted: 10/01/1987 Media Center this is fairly vague. No s/policy.pdf This policy covers procedure,
Last revised: 11/13/2006 specifics are given. qualifications and special collections in a
more detailed way.
Gift and Donation IFA This policy does not spell out specifics http://www.libraries.phila.k12.pa.us/misc/sele
Date adopted: 10/01/1987 but leaves the decision up to the media ction-policy.html This policy is more specific
Last revised: 11/13/2006 specialist. A more specific policy would in what acceptable materials should be in
be more useful. appearance and content.
Deselection IFA Listed under Disposition this policy is http://www.meriwether.k12.ga.us/education/c
/Weeding Date adopted: 10/01/1987 very basic. More specific details should omponents/scrapbook/default.php?
Last revised: 11/13/2006 be included. sectiondetailid=4152 This policy spells out
factors to consider when discarding material
and equipment and how the process should

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Reconsideration IFA Though this policy is more thorough
Date adopted: 10/01/1987 than some, it is not as complete as it
Last revised: 11/13/2006 could be. It covers the process but does
See KN Complaints not mention who should notify the
Date adopted: 3/01/1986 complainant.
Circulation No policy found No mention of circulation is made.
Accessibility IFA The current policy only says materials
Date adopted: 10/01/1987 should be available throughout the
Last revised: 11/13/2006 school day and school year.
Email IFBGA This policy addresses the use more by
Date adopted: 6/11/2007 administrative employees than by
students or teachers. A better policy
would include use by students.
Internet Acceptable IFBGA The existing policy addresses the use
Use Date adopted: 6/11/2007 more by administrative employees than
by students or teachers. A better policy
would spell out federal law and etiquette
for using the internet.
Internet Safety IFBGA The current policy addresses the use
Date adopted: 6/11/2007 more by administrative employees than
by students or teachers. A better policy
would give guidelines as to what to look
out for to be safe while using the
internet.
Equipment and IFBGA This policy addresses the use more by
Software Use Date adopted: 6/11/2007 employees than by students. A better
policy would include student and
classroom use but this is an extensive
policy that could be easily modified to
include students.
Confidentiality of JR This policy does not specifically mention
be carried out.
http://www.libraries.phila.k12.pa.us/misc/sele
ction-policy.html This policy is specific about
the process, who is involved and who should
notify the complainant of the decision and
their right to appeal that decision.
New Policy
http://www.uni.uiuc.edu/library/policies/index.
php This policy includes procedures for loan
periods, overdue and damaged materials and
suspension of borrowing privileges.
http://schools.bibb.k12.ga.us/1620209199372
1967/blank/browse.asp?
a=383&BMDRN=2000&BCOB=0&c=58276&
16202091993721967Nav=|&NodeID=1905
This policy quotes the Georgia Board of
Education Rule 160-4-4-.01 and gives a full
definition of media center accessibility.
http://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/home/district/
school-board/board-policy-and-
administration-regulations/#Section-I
This policy includes employees, students and
volunteers and gives extensive acceptable
and unacceptable use guidelines.
http://www.woodward.edu/students/policie_a
greement.asp While this is an agreement of
policy to be signed by parents and students
concerning internet use it is a very thorough
and understandable document that could
easily be used as policy.
https://eboard.eboardsolutions.com/ePolicy/p
olicy.aspx?
PC=IFBG&Sch=4075&S=4075&RevNo=1.33
&C=I&Z=P Although listed under Internet
Acceptable Use, this policy references the
CIPA and addresses various specified safety
concerns.
http://www.albany.k12.mn.us/LinkClick.aspx?
fileticket=sBEC8xhF5Pg
%3D&tabid=573&language=en-US This
policy does address student use and includes
a student and employee contract for use.
http://www.cesa10.k12.wi.us/services/imc/pdf
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Student Records Date adopted: 9/01/1978
Last revised: 7/16/2007
Copyright IFA
Date adopted: 10/01/1987
Last revised: 11/13/2006
Staffing/Role of IFA
Media Specialist Date adopted: 10/01/1987
Last revised: 11/13/2006
Staff Development GAD
Date adopted: 4/01/1987
Last revised: 10/13/2006
Volunteers No policy found
Accountability IFA
Date adopted: 10/01/1987
Last revised: 11/01/1992
See JS Student Fees, Fines,
Charges
Date adopted: 11/01/1982
Last revised: 11/01/1987
Use of School KG
Facilities Date adopted: 6/01/1998
Last revised: 11/08/2004
confidentiality rights for using materials
in the media center.
While current policy says copyright
materials need clearance and tells how
long clearance is to remain on file and
mentions fair use compliance, a more
comprehensive policy would be better.
The current policy gives guidelines for
staff and references the GBOE
document Roles in Media Program
Development; School and Development
but a better policy would spell out the
responsibilities in detail.
This policy spells out what is needed for
personal improvement and well as what
is needed for keeping certification
current. This is a comprehensive policy
that needs no improvement.
The only mention made of volunteers is
in regards to a smoking policy.
This policy only says the student is
accountable for media materials and
equipment but does not cover cost or
replacement of damaged items.
This is a comprehensive policy that
includes guidelines for use, fees, and
responsibilities for clean up broken
down by facilities and specific areas of
facilities. Restrictions, insurance issues
and contracts are spelled out.
s/policy.pdf This policy invokes the ALA
policy on confidentiality of records.
http://www.cesa10.k12.wi.us/services/imc/pdf
s/policy.pdf This policy includes an Appendix
with the Copyright and Fair Use Guidelines.
This makes the policy more user friendly by
making this information readily available.
http://www.meriwether.k12.ga.us/education/c
omponents/scrapbook/default.php?
sectiondetailid=4152 This policy gives a
breakdown of the specific responsibilities of
the media specialist. This includes a very
complete list of tasks and expectations.
No improvement needed.
New Policy
http://www.beaverton.k12.or.us/home/district/
school-board/board-policy-and-
administration-regulations/#Section-I Found
under Volunteers IICC-AR, this policy spells
out in detail recruitment and training, and
includes a volunteer agreement document.
http://www.uni.uiuc.edu/library/policies/index.
php#Lost This policy is much more specific in
about lost and damaged items and fees for
those items. Though the fees are excessive,
it is a good guideline for updating the current
policy.
No improvement needed.
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Intellectual Freedom Policy

Renée Jackson

ITEC 7132

Spring 2009
 Intellectual Freedom Policy

The Henry County Board of Education does not include a specific policy

addressing Intellectual Freedom. A clear policy on Intellectual Freedom sets the

tone for any media center or library and it is important to include a policy that

communicates the stance a county takes on this principle because it also affects

policies on the acquisition and selection of materials, confidentiality of records,

and how challenges to materials are handled. Making a strong statement about

Intellectual Freedom that is supported by the school board is vital because it not

only affects just one particular school but all schools in the county. It is also

important that the policy be current and that it includes references to electronic

resources.

A good place to start with an Intellectual Freedom policy is the First

Amendment to the United States Constitution which states that government is

forbidden from diminishing the freedom of speech. Reference to the American

Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights and Freedom to Read should also be

included. Access to Resources and Services in the School Library Media

Program, An Interpretation of the Library Bill of Rights (2007, ¶ 2 ) says,

“Intellectual freedom is fostered by educating students in the use of critical

thinking skills to empower them to pursue free inquiry responsibly and

independently.” This means making a wide range of ideas and resources

available equally to all students and having in place policies and procedures that

protect the rights of students to access this information. By providing a wide

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range of materials, opportunities are created for students to be exposed to

multiple points of view, global perspectives and to use their critical thinking skills.

An Intellectual Freedom policy should spell out that materials for the

media center should be appropriate for age, reading level, emotional and social

development for the particular students the school serves while upholding their

rights for diverse materials to be available in the media center. When discussing

a challenged book Doug Johnson (2007, ¶ 4) writes, “What troubles me is that

our professional colleagues are trying to defend a single title rather than

defending a fair and open process for selecting and retaining any instructional

material in our schools.” Having a clear, current and specific policy on Intellectual

Freedom stating that a student’s freedom of speech will be upheld will ensure

that resources selected using the proper criteria based on a thorough school

board selection policy will be able to be defended if challenged. Pat Scales

(2008, ¶ 4) says, “Ultimately, school board approved criteria is the best defense

in dealing with book challenges.” The Henry County School Board does not have

a policy on Intellectual Freedom and has a fairly vague selection policy for

instructional materials.

School Boards are responsible for guiding the education of students but

as a government body they are bound by the law not to violate the student’s First

Amendment rights. First Amendment rights are interpreted as a student’s right to

receive information delivered by books, audio and video presentations, and the

internet. However, minors must also be protected under the law. Acceptable

Internet Use policies have become increasingly important as more and more 2.0

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resources are used in schools. Including acceptable use procedures in an

Intellectual Freedom policy can help keep students safe from cyber bullies, online

predators, help restrict exposing students to material that is not intended for their

age, academic, emotional or developmental levels, and protect the student’s

confidentiality while allowing the delivery of educational materials in a 21st

century format. Because most public schools receive some federal funds to

provide internet access, they must be in compliance with the Children’s Internet

Protection Act.

Incorporating policy that addresses Intellectual Freedom while still in

compliance with the Children’s Internet Protection Act is important. This can be

done by writing an Intellectual Freedom policy that promotes using the least

restrictive internet filters, allowing websites to be unblocked by going through a

prescribed, written challenge process, and having policy in place that specifies

that students become educated about and made aware of the dangers of internet

use while promoting the positive educational uses of 2.0 resources. The policy

should be specific concerning violation of state and federal laws, copyright laws,

the importance of internet etiquette, the responsible use of passwords and

personal information, and the necessity for students to notify an adult if material

that violates the rules is accessed.

Ultimately, school boards are held legally responsible for what materials

are allowed in classrooms and school libraries. To protect against censorship,

adequate policies and procedures on what materials should be included in a

school’s media center must be included in the Henry County School Board policy

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handbook. A clear statement should be made that intellectual freedom should be

upheld, and the principles of the First Amendment of the United States

Constitution and the American Library Association’s Library Bill of Rights should

be used as the guidelines for Henry County’s Intellectual Freedom policy. It

should also be made clear that in the event of a challenge of materials already in

the media center, intellectual freedom will be defended.

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 References

Adams, H. R. (2008). Ensuring intellectual freedom and access to information

in the school library media program. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

American Library Association. (2007, May 29). Access to Resources and

Services in the School Library Media Pr. Retrieved April 24, 2009 from

http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/offices/oif/statementspols/statementsif/

interpretations/accessresources.cfm

Federal Communications Commission. (2008, October 27). Children’s internet

protection act. Retrieved April 24, 2009 from

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/cipa.html

Johnson, D., (2007, August). Don’t defend that book. [Electronic version]. Library

Media

Connection. Retrieved April 24, 2009 from

http://dougjohnson.squarespace.com/dougwri/dont-defend-that-book.html

Philadelphia Board of Education. (2002, February 5). Selection policy for school

library materials. Retrieved April 24, 2009 from

http://libraries.phila.k12.pa.us/misc/selection-policy.html

Scales, P. (2008, May 1). Scales on censorship: what’s going on. School Library

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 Journal. Retrieved April 24, 2009 from

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/article/CA6555538.html

Toor, R., & Weisburg, H.K. (2007). New on the job: a school library media

specialist’s guide to success. Chicago: American Library Association.

Woodward Academy. (2006, February). Computer and internet acceptable

conduct and use agreement. Retrieved April 24, 2009 from

http://www.woodward.edu/students/policie_agreement.asp