Filmmaking Collection Policy

Eva Price LS 5003-20 June 29, 2012

Filmmaking Collection Policy

Library Name Al Zahra College Library1 Arncliffe, NSW, AUSTRALIA Library Description Al Zahra College (AZC) was founded in 1998 as a primary school. It has grown ever since, and now there is a student enrollment of 400 students, 48% male and 52% female in grades K-12. The AZC curriculum is designed to align with both the international baccalaureate (IB) program and the New South Wales (Australia) Board of Studies outcomes. AZC became an IB World School in December 2011. It is authorized to offer the Primary Years IB program and is interested in the Middle Years Program and the Diploma Program. The library is at the heart of the school. It hosts a collection of about 5,500 books ranging in reading lexiles and curriculum content. In addition, the library has a growing collection of audio/visual resources, magazines, newspapers, online databases and eBook. Searches are available through OPAC. Additionally, the AZC library works in collaboration with local public and school libraries and treats each request individually according to the needs of the community user. This is intended to supplement the collection at AZC and be an indicator for future purchase considerations. There are currently five computers, two printers (with scanning capabilities), one Smartboard and two DVD player/television combinations. There is table space for a class of 25 and individual seating location (including beanbags and couches) for an additional 12 students. The library works collaboratively with the newly developed media center. The school is in the process of developing a state of the art media center, which includes 15 new iMacs and 10 laptops. The media center also has two television cameras, a green screen, editing software and radio equipment. The library collection would support students with their participation in the film / media program. This collection would specifically focus on filmmaking techniques by including award winning short films, feature length films, animations and documentaries. In addition, there would be resources regarding specific techniques and equipment. Other possible resource topic could include: editing techniques, sound collections, film history, equipment reviews, animation/stop motion techniques, special effects, and more. Al Zahra College Mission Statement The Al Zahra College Library will provide the resources necessary to enable students and teachers to become fully literate, knowledgeable 21st century citizens. The CSL will link community members, parents, students, and teachers together and provide the resources and support for the school community to become proficient and confident in their use of technology and information. 1 This collection will be loosely based on Al Zahra College (AZC). Schools are also called colleges in

Australia. Al Zahra Colleges library, for the purposes of this assignment, serves a small 6-12 community of learners.

Library Goals The Al Zahra College Library will: Contribute to the ongoing improvement in literacy skills at AZC by encouraging reading, writing and research through the maintenance of a collection that meets the needs of all library users. Make available ample technological resources to enable best practice teaching and learning in accordance with 21st century learning standards. Collaborate with teachers and provide curriculum-aligned lessons with clear learning outcomes. Support the community of Arncliffe by granting access to library resources by individual request. Implement and promote goal-appropriate staff development to faculty and staff throughout the year. Actively communicate with and involve key stakeholders and increase parent participation in the library program. Provide an accessible and inviting learning commons where inquiry and respectful discussion take place among a community of learners. Description of Users Al Zahra College is located in Arncliffe, New South Wales, about 11km south of Sydneys business district. As of the 2006 Census, the population was 8,508 people, 50.3% males and 49.7% females. 51% of those residents were Australian born, and the highest percent of overseas births was from Lebanon (8.8%) followed by Macedonia (5.9%). 46% of households speak only English at home. About 22.3% listed Arabic as the primary language spoken. Islam is the most common religious affiliation (24.9%). The most common professions were clerical and administrative workers, professionals, technicians and trades workers, labourers and managers. The median family income was $1,096 which is significantly below the Australian median which is $1,171. Al Zahra College is an independent school with annual tuition fees of $3,450 per academic year (with costs decreasing if multiple children are enrolled in a family). 5% of the students at AZC are attending on scholarships. Primary Users: Students Students (400) in the K-12 school will use the library. It will be accessible before, during and after school. Secondary Users: Faculty The library will be used as a working space for faculty. Education levels range from a diploma to doctorates. There are 20 faculty members, some of whom use the space in the library in their preparation time and/or as a desk space. Occasional Users: Administration, Teachers, Support Staff, Arncliffe Community, Other Schools, School Groups, and Volunteers The population of Arncliffe has a high number of Arabic speaking families. Consequently, schools and libraries in the area are encouraged to share their collection of materials in the Arabic language. Community members and members from other schools can borrow books with permission. Additionally, with the development of the new media center, the resources will be collected with the expectation that other schools can borrow and use the resources at AZC with permission. The library space can be used for community meetings, study spaces and book clubs in the community as well.

Description of Filmmaking Collection The new collection would specifically focus on filmmaking techniques. It would include award winning short films, feature length films, animations and documentaries as well as interviews of filmmakers and special features for film resources. In addition, there would be resources in all formats regarding specific filmmaking techniques and equipment. Topics include (but are not limited to): editing techniques, sound collections, film history, equipment reviews, animation/stop motion techniques, special effects, lighting, production organization, music, copyright information. Description of Users for the Filmmaking Collection The users would primarily be the students attending the school. However, there would also be resources for teachers, parents and faculty that might want to get involved in teaching or supervising filming. Filmmaking is also a useful teaching strategy, and this collection can support teachers in their development of film-based curriculum for delivering course content by film. As the collection and the program grow, the users will include more community members, who will be able to use the collection after submitting a request and rationale form. Filmmaking Collection Objectives The Filmmaking Collection will support the development of the AZC media center. Students participating in film-based units will have access to information on film techniques, film history and film theory in order to understand how to create an effective film. Additionally, the collection will support the after school film program offering resources to filmmakers and filmmaking aligned with the curriculum and as well as extra-curricular filmmaking activities.

Understand the evolution of films and filmmaking and make predictions about the film possibilities of the future. Enhance the knowledge film editing techniques. Provide supportive resources for understanding the technical equipment required for filmmaking. Support an up-to-date understanding of modern films and the filmmaking industry. Provide resources to contribute to a greater understanding of filmmaking as a profession. Allow access to the media center and film materials before, during and after school.

Filmmaking Collection Degree of Depth The AZC film library aims to have an exemplary collection of filmmaking resources available for student, faculty and community use and the AZC library staff are currently in the process of seeking grants and support to establish this collection. However, AZC is a small school and still working on its development overall. With a current budget of $1,500 for the new collection, the initial 2012-2013 development will be relatively small and be used as a seed for future growth of the Filmmaking Collection and program. Filmmaking Collection Format Restrictions Inclusions: books, serials, e-books, DVDs, published scripts, webpage subscriptions, magazine subscriptions, databases and software.

Exclusions: VHS tapes, film memorabilia, posters, film stills, 16,35, and 70mm films, slides unless a specific rationale is offered. It will also not offer DVD or CD based software. All software will be installed on library and media center computers. Policy-stated criteria for inclusion in Filmmaking Collection Selected materials must: Have received at least two of the following: positive reviews, awards or placement on core/best lists. Support the curriculum and/or media centers needs. Meet standard library criteria for inclusion including: currency, authority, and accuracy. The CMS Library and Media Center staff will make every effort to include a diverse selection of material; consideration is also given to student, faculty or patron suggestions. Gifts The Filmmaking library will accept gifts as long as they support the mission of the AZC Library and the curriculum of the school and/or the Media Center. AZC is under no obligation to keep any gifts, and if they are not considered beneficial to the overall collection, they will be donated to the public library for their consideration. Gifts will not be used for tax purposes, and the library staff will not appraise donations for their value. Challenges The Filmmaking Collection will handle challenges in accordance with the AZC Library Policy. Due to the large scope of filmmaking resources, and the inclusion of teachers and the Arncliffe community patrons, the collection will contain materials of all ratings, but viewing restrictions will apply in accordance to the law and the classification of the Classification Board of the Australian Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC). Films classified as MA, R or X will be loaned and viewed according to Australian law. It is important to note that special features on a DVD can be classified separately and will be loaned accordingly. The AZC Library collects material in accordance with the ALA Library Bill of Rights and strongly supports the principals of intellectual freedom and access to information. The ALA bill states materials should not be excluded because of the origin, background, or views of those contributing to their creation (Article 1). If a parent, student, administrator or community member should wish to challenge a material, the designated challenge form should be submitted and the selection process should be referenced in writing. The patron is encouraged to seek out an informal discussion with the school librarian in order to seek clarification on the material and/or the process. The challenging party would also be encouraged to review previous court cases on challenged books, available on the ALA website. And complete a written request by using the ALA challenge form. Once the form is submitted, a two-week review period will be granted, after which a committee meeting will be scheduled to review the item. If necessary, a challenge hearing will be scheduled and recommendations for the removal, retention or replacement of the item will be decided upon at that point.

Weeding The Library Bill of Rights states that materials should not be proscribed or removed because of partisan or doctrinal disapproval, however weeding is an integral part of the evaluation of the AZC resources. Materials will be evaluated on an ongoing basis, with a subject focus each term. This will ensure that resources are up to date, accurate and useful to patrons. Items subject to removal includes materials which: Have very limited circulation numbers Are damaged beyond repair Contain misleading information Are no longer aligned with the curriculum needs Are out-dated or trivial The Filmmaking Collection will undergo an additional evaluation based on the currency of the filmmaking technologies. Since some materials may depend on current programs, updates and software, great care will be taken to ensure that material is up-to-date, reliable and current. New editions will be evaluated for inclusion to replace out-dated editions and/or materials. After the school librarians complete the initial weeding, the materials will be made available to teachers for their classroom or professional development use. The remaining materials will be donated to the public library or be donated as part of the club book sale. Collection Evaluation The Filmmaking Collection will be evaluated based on student, faculty and teacher comments. Formal surveys will be taken at the conclusion of each term that highlight what materials were being used, how the collection met the needs of the users, and what suggestions the AZC community may have for improvement. In addition, the library staff will look closely at the circulation statistics and the request statistics for community members use. As the collection grows, the AZC Filmmaking Collection hopes to see a growth in material circulation, suggestions and use. Additionally, the library staff will work with the media center teachers to remain up to date on current filmmaking trends and resources in order to ensure that the collection is growing with the current technological advances and filmmaking programs.

Bibliography American Association of School Librarians. "Banned & Challenged Books." Accessed June 28, 20012. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/banned/ (accessed June 28, 2012). Dickinson, Gail. 2005. Crying Over Spilled Milk. Library Media Connection. 7: 24-26. Accessed June 25, 2012. http://www.linworth.com/pdf/lmc/reviews_and_articles/ featured_articles/Dickinson_April_May2005.pdf Evans, G. Edward, and Margaret Saponaro. 2005. Developing Library and Information Center Collections. 5th edition. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited. Jurecka, David. 2011. Video Game History and Development. Student Example: Course Collection Development Policy. Texas Womens University. One Voice Communication. Australian Movie Ratings. Accessed June 28, 2012. http://parentpreviews.com/movie-ratings/australia Rockdale City Council. 2012. About Rockdale. Accessed June 25, 2012. http://www.rockdale.nsw.gov.au/Pages/Rockdale_Sub_Arncliffe.aspx