Materials in the Cary Academy Library serve the student body specifically and the Cary Academy community in general.  They are chosen to represent a variety of viewpoints and styles of learning as well as supporting curricular needs. Priority is given to faculty, parent and student requests.

Professional journals and book reviews are consulted on a regular basis when choosing library materials.

Responsibility for Selection

The Head of School has delegated day to day operations of the Cary Academy Library to the Middle and Upper School librarians who coordinate, select and purchase all materials.  While input is encouraged from faculty, students and parents, final responsibility for the selection of all materials for Cary Academy lies with the librarians.

Intellectual Freedom

An atmosphere of free inquiry is essential to the education of students in order for them to participate fully in a democratic society.  Cary Academy supports the American Library Association’s Bill of Rights and its interpretations including Access to Resources and Services in the School Media Program.  These policies apply directly to library materials.  The Internet is subject to the Acceptable Use Policy.  Other materials used at Cary Academy outside of the library are subject to the policies of the responsible department.

Criteria for Selection

Learning resources are primarily selected for their strength rather than rejected for their weakness.

 Materials are selected on the following criteria:

• literary excellence

• importance of subject matter

• reputation and significance of the author, publisher, or producer

• the curriculum and educational goals of the school

• promoting lifelong reading

• timeliness of material

• readability and popular appeal

• the breadth and diversity of representative viewpoints  

• developing multicultural awareness

• value commensurate with cost or need

Selection Tools

The following lists and tools are used in the selection process:

• Middle and Junior High School Library Catalog

• Senior High School Library Catalog

• Booklist

• School Library Journal

• New York Times Book Review and other major book reviews

• The Book Report

• Special bibliographies prepared by educational organizations for particular subject matter areas

Selection Process

Requests and suggestions are welcomed from staff, parents and students.  Reviews from the literature of professional organizations as well as the above-mentioned sources are considered.  The subsequent lists generated are prioritized and ordered according to funds available.  The removal of materials no longer appropriate and the replacement of lost and worn materials still of educational value is part of the selection process.  Donated materials, free and inexpensive vertical file resources and sponsored material are evaluated in like manner.