The Lincoln Lutheran Media Center contains a variety of print media in book and periodical form for students to use in their learning. Students also have access to electronic media via online databases.

Mission Statement

Lincoln Lutheran exists to equip young people to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ by providing an excellent, Christ-centered education.

Objectives

The Lincoln Lutheran Learning Commons strives to provide students and staff with a wide range of educational materials on all levels of difficulty and in a variety of formats, with diversity of appeal, allowing for presentation of many different points of view. Our goals are specified as follows:

• To build a collection that supports the mission of Lincoln Lutheran and the Christian beliefs held by the Lutheran Church – Missouri Synod (LC-MS).

• To implement, enrich, and support the instructional program of the school, taking into consideration the varied interests, abilities, learning styles, and maturity levels of the students served.

• To select reading materials that are rich in literary merits, that will excite the students to discover the joy and beauty of the literary world, that will inspire readers to seek truth and wisdom, and that will encourage moral and ethical integrity.

Responsibility of Selection

Selection of library materials is an ongoing process shared by the many people who use them. Departmental recommendations and individual suggestions from teachers, staff, students, and other community members are crucial to the usefulness of the collection. Responsibility for review, evaluation, selection, acquisition, and collection development rests with the Media Specialist. School administration will also be involved if deemed necessary.

Criteria for Selection

The following criteria will be considered in the selection of materials:

• Curriculum support

• Overall support of Christian Values

• Validity, timeliness, and appropriateness of material

• Favorable reviews found in standard selection sources

• Quality and format

• Reputation of author, producer, or publisher

• Potential user appeal

• Value proportionate to cost and/or need

• Subject matter and treatment of the subject matter

• Effectiveness and appropriateness of language

• High artistic quality and/or literary style

The following sources will be used to aid selection:

• Booklist

• Horn Book Guide

• School Library Journal

• Kirkus Reviews

• Choice

• Voice of Youth Advocates

• Christianity Today

• Literary Awards

Gifts

Gift materials (donated items) are subject to basic selection standards. The Media Specialist may choose to accept, reject, or distribute the gift materials for other use if not otherwise specified by donors.

Weeding Resources

Collection development is an ongoing process that includes the removal of materials no longer appropriate and the replacement of lost and worn materials that still hold educational value. Weeding is essential to maintain a relevant, attractive collection. Materials considered for weeding include the following:

• Items in poor physical condition

• Items containing obsolete subject matter and/or outdated information

• Items no longer needed to support the curriculum or student/faculty interests

Reconsideration

Lincoln Lutheran community members may occasionally disagree with some materials in the Learning Commons despite the quality of the selection process. Individuals have a right to ask that materials be reconsidered. The review of questioned materials will be treated courteously and calmly, and as an important action. Every effort will be made to consider objections, keeping in mind the best interests of the students, the school, the curriculum, and the community. In the event of a complaint, the following procedures will be observed:

• The complaint should first be addressed to the Media Specialist in writing by completing the Request for Reconsideration Form. The Media Specialist will then review the material in question.

• If the issue is not resolved satisfactorily for the complaint, the individual may request the matter be brought before the Head of School.

• If addressing the matter with the Head of School does not bring resolution to the issue, the individual may request the matter be brought before the Executive Director.

• If addressing the matter with the Executive Director does not bring resolution to the issue, the individual may request the matter be brought before the Board of Directors by indicating so to the Executive Director. The Executive Director and the President of the Board of Directors will make arrangements for such action.

• The Board of Directors will render a decision in the matter that will be considered final.