Library Materials Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

For Parents: Library Materials

• Per EFB (LOCAL), the District shall provide a wide range of library materials for students and faculty that support student achievement and present varying levels of difficulty, diversity of appeal, and a variety of points of view. 

• Library materials may be used to enhance the instructional program, for formal or informal teaching and learning purposes, and for voluntary inquiry or self-selected reading.  In accordance with state and local standards, school libraries are essential interactive collaborative learning environments, ever evolving to provide equitable physical and virtual access to ideas, information, and learning tools for the entire school community. School libraries are essential, safe, and inviting centers for teaching and learning that provide equitable access to emerging technologies and physical and virtual collections of high quality, reflecting input from stakeholders.

  For Parents: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

  How can I access the library books that are available to my child?

  Rockwall ISD is committed to maximizing transparency with parents and community members. To support transparency and access, parents may review library books through Destiny Library Manager, which is linked on each campus library page.

  Approximately how many books are available in Rockwall ISD?

  Rockwall ISD estimates approximately 292,000 library books district-wide.

  How are library materials chosen?

  Per Policy EFB (LOCAL), library materials shall be chosen in accordance with law and guidance from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission. Library materials shall not include "harmful material"; any library material that is pervasively vulgar or educationally unsuitable; any library material containing indecent or profane content. Obscene material is not protected by the First Amendment to the United States Constitution. Library materials shall comply with the Children's Internet Protection Act (CIPA), including technology protection measures.
  
  When selecting library materials, librarians and other professional staff shall ensure that the materials:

1. Enrich and support the TEKS and the state and local curriculum, taking into consideration students’ varied interests, maturity levels, abilities, and learning styles
2. Foster growth in factual knowledge, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and societal standards.
3. Encourage the enjoyment of reading, foster high-level thinking skills, support personal learning, and encourage discussion based on rational analysis.
4. Represent ethnic, religious, and cultural groups of the state and their contributions to the state, nation, and the world.
5. Present multiple viewpoints related to controversial issues [see EMB regarding instruction about controversial issues].
6. Provide a wide range of background information that will enable students to make intelligent decisions in their daily lives.
7. Include accurate and authentic factual content from authoritative sources.
8. Have a high degree of potential user appeal and interest.
9. 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.
10. Represent diverse viewpoints and cultural groups of the state and their contributions to the state, the nation, and the world, to ensure the collection embodies the background of all students. 

New What is the process for selection and recommendation of materials in a campus library?

Campus librarians shall develop recommendations to be presented to the Board. The Board shall consider the list of library materials that have been recommended for selection and shall either approve or reject the library materials.  

At least 30 days prior to the Board’s vote to approve selection of library materials, the list will be made publicly available. 

New How may I participate in my child’s library book selection?
Parents and guardians are the primary decision-makers regarding their child’s access to library material. In general, a student is afforded the opportunity to self-select library materials as part of literacy development and the library program. District staff may assist a student in selecting library material; however, the ultimate determination of appropriateness remains with the student and parent or guardian. Parents are encouraged to communicate with the campus librarian and their child’s teacher about special considerations regarding library materials self-selected by their child.

New How are parents notified when their child selects a Library Book?
A notification email(s) will be sent to parents or guardians each time a child checks out a school library book.  Parent opt-out information is provided in the notification email(s) for parent consideration.

New How do I inform the campus to restrict access to a library book for my child?
In accordance with state law and administrative procedures, parents or guardians may utilize the district’s library management system, Destiny, to browse their child’s school library collection, view current checkouts, and restrict access to any library materials for their child.

Instructions for Parent Access in Destiny

Is there an informal reconsideration process?

When the District or a campus receives an objection to the appropriateness of a library material, the appropriate librarian or administrator shall try to resolve the matter informally. The librarian or administrator shall explain the selection process and discuss the intended purpose for the library material. The librarian or administrator shall offer a concerned parent or guardian an alternative library material to be used by the child in place of the material, and, if requested, shall restrict the child’s access to the material objected to by the parent or guardian. 

Is there a formal reconsideration process?

After completing the  informal challenge process, a complainant may make any formal challenge to a library material using the Texas Education Agency’s written challenge form provided by the District and shall submit the completed and signed form to the District’s Student Services office. Texas Education Agency Challenge Form

For more information, see Rockwall ISD policies EFB (LEGAL) and EFB (LOCAL).