Information Resource Center (IRC)

As an information resource center, the school may choose to maintain either of the following:

• A traditional library/media center with allowance to make digital additions to its services, rather than acquiring additional, traditional print media.
• An information resource center providing digital information that has some criteria equivalent to the standards that now exist for print materials.

1. IRC Offers Instruction and Research

   The information resource center (IRC) offers instruction and research training in both print and electronic resources.

   Artifacts IRC Policies and Procedures IRC schedule for student instruction and research

2. IRC Has Selection and Review Process

   The IRC has policies and procedures which reflect the school’s Christian philosophy in the selection of books and materials and contains a selection and review policy to evaluate the appropriateness of materials for student use.

   Artifact IRC policies for philosophy and selection/review of materials

3. IRC Collection Requirements

   The lRC contains a minimum of 1,500 usable and acceptable library volumes or 10 volumes per student, whichever is greater; or provides equivalent information resources, either through a combination of print and digital resources, or digital resources.

   Artifact IRC inventory of books / digital resources

4. IRC Collection Is Comprehensive and Balanced

   The lRC maintains a comprehensive and balanced information and media collection in print and digital formats balanced in variety and adequate in quantity to meet the needs of the school’s curriculum and instructional presentations.

   Artifact IRC policies for philosophy and selection/review of materials

5. IRC Ensures Access

   The IRC ensures that all students and staff members have regular, ready access to information and media services, materials, and equipment.

   Artifact Evidence of IRC interaction with classroom staff

6. IRC Cataloging

   The IRC properly catalogs its holdings.

7. IRC Maintains Budget

   The IRC maintains an annual budget that includes sufficient expenditures to support a comprehensive, balanced, and growing information and media collection.

   Artifact IRC annual budget

8. IRC Collaboration

   The IRC ensures that the information and media staff collaborates with other professional staff members to attain maximum benefit from the resources.

   Artifact Evidence of IRC interaction with classroom staff

9. IRC Challenge Policy

   The IRC possesses a policy and procedure for responding to challenged materials.

   Artifact IRC policies for censorship and internet use

10. IRC Acceptable Internet Use

    The IRC possesses and publishes a policy on acceptable use of the Internet.

    Artifact IRC policies for censorship and internet use

11. IRC for Early Childhood

    The IRC provides for Early Childhood centers either centralized or decentralized information resources for the children. (see Strand 7 Early Childhood for further specifics.)

Information Resource Center Personnel Employment

The school assigns personnel to the information resource center according to a formula based upon student population.

1. Full-Time Information Resource Specialist

   If enrollment is 400 or more full-time equivalent students (FTE), a full-time information resource specialist is employed.

2. Half-Time Information Resource Specialist

   If the enrollment is 100 to 399 (FTE), a half-time information resource specialist is employed

3. Information Resource Specialist Consultant

   If the enrollment is less than 100 (FTE), an information resource consultant,who consults monthly (regularly) to assist non-qualified staff in planning, instruction, and management for information resource, is retained.

4. Early Childhood Information Services Specialist Exemption

   Early childhood stand-alone programs are exempt from library/media and information resource personnel qualifications.

Information Resource Center Personnel Credentials

The school assigns personnel to the information resource center who have professional training.

1. Full-Time Information Services Specialist and Consultant Training

   A full-time information services specialist or consultant satisfies one of the following criteria:
   1. has state certification in library/media science or information services, or
   2. is certifiable in library/media science, or information services, or
   3. has a degree in library/media science or information services, or documentation of active pursuit of such; or,
   4. has an academic and/or professional background and experience sufficient to warrant assignment to this position which is verified in writing for the visiting team chair.

2. Part-Time Information Services Specialist Training

   A part-time information services specialist satisfies one of the following criteria:
   1. completed a minimum of 12 credit hours in library/media science or information services, or
   2. has an academic background and experience to warrant assignment to this position which is verified in writing for submission to the visiting team chair.

3. Early Childhood Librarian/Media Specialist Training Exemption

   Early childhood stand-alone programs are exempt from information resource personnel qualifications. (See Strand #7 Early Childhood for further specifics.)