Madison Board of Education Policy 6100.14.3 states:
The utilization of information and the enjoyment of literature are the core of the library media program. In striving to successfully integrate the two core functions of the library media center, students will use print and electronic media as sources of information to solve problems, perform research, satisfy intellectual curiosity, explore life needs, develop a life-long appreciation of reading and the ability to meet personal information needs.
The American Library Association states the library serves the information needs of a community, representing the range of human thought and experience. Although school libraries are curated for the audience that they have been designed to serve, they also reflect the range of readers, interests and topics to serve as a resource for students.
Upon the closing of a school in 2019, all Madison school libraries went through an extensive process of weeding and refining collections facilitated by a company Follett School Solutions that has expertise in curating school library collections. It is important to make available content and resources for a range of readers and interests. We use the following information in order to evaluate our collections:
- Follett/Destiny reports: circulation, age of collection, diversity
- Anecdotal evidence - kids reactions *most important evidence*
- Condition / publication date / use (school library shelf is valuable real estate)
- Professional journals & professional reviews
