Collection Development Policy Analysis and Controversial Issues Projects

I just finished my collection development policy analysis for Catawba County Schools. I found the policy to be fairly comprehensive because it included most of the elements I selected for a good policy. The class brain-stormed some criteria for a good policy and I selected what I felt was the most important criteria. I then evaluated the policy for my school system to see if it measured up to the criteria selected. The only places it fell short were procedures for weeding materials and for budgeting money to select new materials. I do understand why the policy couldn't include budgeting information, though. Because the policy is meant to cover every school in the county, it would be impossible to include specifics on budget information; every school has a different allotment of money for technology and instructional media resources. Also, principals have the final say in how the money allotted to their school will be spent.

With regard to the controversial issues project, I've decided to change my focus. This isn't a big deal, because I hadn't really started the project yet. It's not that I haven't tried, it's just that I couldn't the specific material I was looking for. Our group decided to research banned books on sexuality in libraries. We split the focus among the group members. I believe Noel took pre-k, Leigh took middle schools, and Veronica took elementary. I originally had books banned from public libraries, however when I went to search for books banned from public libraries, I wasn't having any luck finding any. In fact, I couldn't find a mention of any books banned from public libraries. (I'm not saying there aren't any, I just couldn't find any on any of the online lists.) Because of this, I decided to switch my focus to books on sexuality banned from high school libraries. I've read many of those already, so it won't be difficult for me to research the history of the book and explain why it was banned in my presentation to the class. The toughest part is just finding time to meet with my group to coordinate this project!