Norwalk policy committee reviews three new school library policies under Connecticut law

The Norwalk Board of Education policy committee on Oct. 23 held a first reading of three school library policies that Connecticut now requires districts to adopt, district staff said. The presentation explained how the district will split existing language into (1) a collection development and maintenance policy, (2) a library display and programming policy, and (3) a library material review and reconsideration policy to align with state law.

District library media specialists Audra Goode and Renee Neiger told the committee the changes follow legislation combined in the 2024 session (referenced in the presentation as SB 12 71). The presentation referenced work by the Connecticut Library Association, the Connecticut Library Consortium and the Connecticut Association of School Librarians (CASEL) in drafting model language and providing workshops for districts. Staff said they used the state policy checklist and CASEL materials during the rewrite.

Under the draft collection development policy, the district will state that its libraries strive to reflect wide and diverse viewpoints, provide age- and grade-appropriate materials, support free expression and voluntary inquiry, and…