Library Books Selection Donations Recommendations

Library Collection Selection

• Books are selected for the NMS library collection according to JISD Board Policy for a wide variety of readers.
  • Students are encouraged to self-censor by selecting reading materials according to their own interests, abilities, values, and maturity.
    • Intellectual Freedom Self-Censorship Statement for Students
      • Reading is a joy, a privilege, and the right of every student.
      • As you select the library books you will read, please understand that every book is not the best choice for every student.
      • If a book is unappealing or offensive to you in any way, please return it and select another.
      • You know best what reading materials serve you and your family’s standards and beliefs.
  • JISD board policy stipulates these criteria for library book selection:

    "Library materials shall be chosen in accordance with guidelines adopted by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. In the selection of library materials, librarians and other professional staff shall ensure that the materials

1. Enrich and support the curriculum, taking into consideration students' varied interests, abilities, learning styles, and maturity levels.
2. Stimulate growth in factual knowledge, enjoyment of reading, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and societal standards.
3. Develop a balanced collection presenting multiple viewpoints related to controversial issues to foster critical thinking skills and encourage discussion based on rational analysis [see EMB regarding instruction about controversial issues].
4. Represent many ethnic, religious, and cultural groups and their contributions to the national heritage and world community.
5. Provide a wide range of background information that will enable students to make intelligent decisions in their daily lives.
6. Demonstrate literary merit, quality, value, and significance.
7. Have received favorable professional library reviews from state- and nationally recognized review publications.
8. Have received state or national awards or are included on recommended reading lists developed by library professionals and educators.
9. Cover topics, authors, series, or genres that fill gaps in the school library collection.
10. Include accurate and authentic factual content from authoritative sources.
11. Have a high degree of potential user appeal and interest.
12. Offer a global perspective that promotes equity of access, including print and nonprint materials such as electronic and multimedia, to meet the needs of individual learners.
13. Are requested or recommended by students and teachers.
14. Mirror selections found in neighboring districts or libraries in the region.
15. Represent diverse viewpoints and cultures appropriate to each campus to ensure the collection embodies the unique background of its student population."

Donations to the Library

• Book donations are accepted as long as they are in good condition and are appropriate materials according to the selection policy.
• Contact the NMS librarian, Susan Reyna, if you would like to make a book donation. She maintains an Amazon Wishlist she can share with you.
• If you wish to make a financial donation to the NMS Library, please do so via REVTRAK.

Recommendations to the Library

Parents, students, and JISD staff are encouraged to recommend books for our library. If you know of a book that you think that the NMS Library needs, please make your recommendation via this Google Form. The NMS librarian will review these recommendations when preparing orders for new purchases.

NOTE: The collection development policy will soon be changing to be compliant with the recently passed HB 900.  Information about this new requirement and its implementation can be found on the Texas Library Association's website.