Central Bucks Administration and School Board are currently reviewing CB’s library collection guidelines. CB’s systematic collection procedures are based on national standards set forth by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL). This requires the professional expertise of librarians who work in partnership with their communities to curate collections that serve the information needs of all their users.

The signers of this petition seek to uphold current CB library collection procedures that are in alignment with AASL National School Library Standards, so book selection remains unbiased, objective, and representative of all points of view. We seek to sustain the Library Bill of Rights, as specified below, which states in part that “Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval, and that libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.”

CB/AASL Library Selection Criteria

• Meets Needs & Interests of Student Population: Library materials should provide a wide range of appeal, be accessible to students of varied abilities, and meet the informational and interest needs of the student population. 
• Suitability for Intended Audience: Reputable, unbiased, professional journals and reviews, including School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, and Horn Book, are consulted to determine suitability for the intended audience. 
• Accuracy of Content & Recent Copyright: Authority of the author, organization, publisher/producer are a consideration in selection. 
• Reflective of Student Population & Global Society: Materials by authors and illustrators of varying backgrounds and cultures are included. 
• Varied in Format: Library materials are available in variety of formats, e.g., print, electronic, or multimedia, to meet the needs and learning styles of the student population.
• Demonstrates Literary Merit: Selection is determined by the evaluation of a work as a whole.  

American Library Association Library Bill of Rights

1. Books and other library resources should be provided for the interest, information, and enlightenment of all people of the community the library serves. Materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation.
2. Libraries should provide materials and information presenting all points of view on current and historical issues. Materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval.
3. Libraries should challenge censorship in the fulfillment of their responsibility to provide information and enlightenment.
4. Libraries should cooperate with all persons and groups concerned with resisting abridgment of free expression and free access to ideas.
5. A person’s right to use a library should not be denied or abridged because of origin, age, background, or views.
6. Libraries which make exhibit spaces and meeting rooms available to the public they serve should make such facilities available on an equitable basis, regardless of the beliefs or affiliations of individuals or groups requesting their use.
7. All people, regardless of origin, age, background, or views, possess a right to privacy and confidentiality in their library use. Libraries should advocate for, educate about, and protect people’s privacy, safeguarding all library use data, including personally identifiable information.

It is critical that we protect library collection standards and norms in our community and in our society. It is imperative that this process continue to be trusted to the professional expertise of Central Bucks school librarians, national standards and policies, and continue to remain unbiased, objective, and nonpartisan.