Library

Collection and Development Procedures

Overview of Texas Senate Bill 13 (SB 13) 

Texas Senate Bill 13 (SB 13) establishes requirements for how Texas public school districts select, review, and reconsider library materials. The law emphasizes transparency, local decision-making, and age-appropriate access to school library resources.

Under SB 13:

• School districts must adopt and publish local policies for the selection, acquisition, and reconsideration of library materials.
• Library materials must be selected using objective, published standards, including those adopted by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC).
• Parents, district employees, and district residents may formally request reconsideration of library materials using the district’s established process.
• Challenged materials remain available during the review process unless otherwise directed by the Board of Trustees.
• Final decisions regarding challenged materials rest with the locally elected Board of Trustees.

SB 13 does not require the removal of books solely because they address complex, sensitive, or mature themes. Instead, it requires districts to apply consistent selection criteria, consider the material as a whole, and ensure age-appropriate access for students.

ISBN Clarification Statement

An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) identifies a specific edition and format of a book. While different formats or printings of the same title (such as hardcover, paperback, or ebook) may have different ISBNs, these editions typically contain the same core content.

For the purposes of selection, review, and reconsideration:

• Library materials with different ISBNs will be considered together as the same work when the core text, themes, and content are substantially similar.
• A separate review will occur only when there is a significant change to the core material, such as revised or expanded text, added or removed chapters, substantial new illustrations or visual content, adaptations (e.g., graphic novel versions), or other meaningful content changes.
• Minor differences related to format, pagination, cover art, or publishing details do not constitute a significant content change.

When submitting a reconsideration request, individuals are encouraged to include the ISBN of the edition reviewed. The district will determine whether additional ISBNs are included in the review based on content similarity.

Library Materials Review and Selection Criteria

Library materials are selected to support student learning, personal growth, and a lifelong love of reading. All materials are evaluated as a whole and in the context of the school library program.

Selection and review considerations include, but are not limited to:

• Educational Value: Relevance to curriculum, instructional goals, student interests, and informational needs
• Age and Developmental Appropriateness: Suitability for the intended grade level(s) and campus population
• Literary, Artistic, or Informational Quality: Accuracy, clarity, organization, and overall quality of writing or presentation
• Alignment with TSLAC Standards: Consistency with the Texas State Library and Archives Commission collection development standards
• Balance and Diversity: Representation of a wide range of ideas, perspectives, cultures, and experiences
• Student Access and Choice: Support for voluntary reading and inquiry while respecting parental rights
• Format and Accessibility: Physical durability, readability, and availability in appropriate formats
• Professional Reviews: Evaluations from recognized, reputable review sources

Materials are not excluded solely because they address controversial topics, include diverse viewpoints, or reflect the realities of the world in which students live.

Professional Review Sources and Selection Tools

Professional judgment is supported by reviews and guidance from established, reputable sources, including but not limited to:

• School Library Journal
• Booklist (American Library Association)
• Kirkus Reviews
• Publishers Weekly
• Horn Book Magazine
• Texas Library Association (TLA) reading lists
• American Library Association (ALA) award lists and recommendations
• State and national curriculum and literacy organizations
• Vendor-provided professional review tools and preview copies

Library staff also conduct hands-on evaluations of materials whenever possible, considering the work as a whole and in alignment with district policy and student needs.

The district provides a formal process for reviewing concerns about library materials in accordance with Texas Education Code §33.027 and district policy. This process is designed to ensure transparency, consistency, and thoughtful consideration of each concern.

Step 1: Submission of a Written Challenge

• Eligible individuals- including a parent or guardian of a student enrolled in the district, a district employee, or a district resident—may initiate a reconsideration by submitting the Library Materials Reconsideration Form in its entirety. The form must clearly identify the material being challenged and reference the specific Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) standard(s) believed to be violated.
• Incomplete forms or concerns submitted outside the established process will not initiate a reconsideration.

Step 2: Notification and Acknowledgment

• Within five business days of receipt, the district provides a copy of the completed form to the Superintendent, District Librarian, and Campus Administrator. The individual submitting the challenge will receive acknowledgment that the request has been received and entered into the review process.

Step 3: Committee Review

• A district review committee—consisting of the District Librarian, Campus Administrator, relevant classroom teacher(s), library staff from the campus, and a parent or community representative—reviews the challenged material.
• The committee:
  • Evaluates the material as a whole, not in isolated excerpts
  • Applies the district’s published selection criteria and TSLAC standards
  • Considers age appropriateness, educational value, and professional reviews
  • Reviews the specific concern raised in the written challenge

Step 4: Recommendation

• No later than the 90th day after the committee receives the challenge, the committee develops a written recommendation. Possible recommendations may include retaining the material without restriction, reclassifying or relocating the material, limiting access by grade level, or removing the material from the campus library.

Step 5: Board Action

• The district’s Board of Trustees considers the committee’s recommendation at the first open meeting held after the 90-day review period. The Board makes the final determination regarding the challenged material.
• Access During Review: Challenged materials remain available to students during the reconsideration process unless otherwise directed by the Board of Trustees.

Commitment to Thoughtful Review
The district is committed to maintaining a diverse, age-appropriate library collection that supports student learning, inquiry, and voluntary reading, while also respecting the rights of parents and the community. The reconsideration process ensures that concerns are addressed through a structured, professional, and legally compliant review.

Library Materials Reconsideration FAQ

Why does the district provide access to library materials that some families may not choose for their own children?

• School libraries serve a diverse student population with varied interests, background, and learning needs. Library collections are designed to offer a broad range of age-appropriate materials that support curriculum, inquiry, and voluntary reading. Families guide their own children’s reading choices, while the district provides access to materials that meet professional selection criteria and state standards.

Who may submit a reconsideration request?

• A parent or guardian of a student enrolled in the district, a district employee, or a resident of the district may submit a request using the Library Materials Reconsideration Form.

How do I submit a concern about a library book?

• Concerns must be submitted using the district’s official Library Materials Reconsideration Form. Informal requests, emails, or verbal complaints do not initiate the reconsideration process.

Do I need to read the entire book before submitting a request?

• Yes. Reconsideration requests are expected to be based on a review of the material as a whole, not isolated excerpts.

What happens to the book while it is under review?

• The challenged material remains available to students during the review process unless otherwise directed by the Board of Trustees. However, parents/guardians may use the district-approved library access platform to restrict their child’s access to materials they deem unsuitable.

How long does the reconsideration process take?

• The review committee makes a recommendation within 90 days of receiving the challenge. The Board of Trustees considers the recommendation at the next open meeting following that period.

What criteria are used to review materials?

• Materials are reviewed using the district’s published selection criteria, Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) standards, professional reviews, and consideration of age and developmental appropriateness.

Does a reconsideration request affect all editions of a book?

• Typically, editions with substantially similar content are reviewed together. Separate reviews occur only when there are significant changes to the core material.

Who makes the final decision?

• The district’s Board of Trustees makes the final decision regarding challenged library materials.

Can a book be reconsidered more than once?

• Yes. However, reconsideration requests must follow the established process and may be subject to limitations outlined in district policy.

 

Reconsideration Form

Elementary Book List (published 4/14/26)