School Library Materials
Senate Bill 13 (Requirements Related to School Library Materials)
Senate Bill (SB) 13, passed by the 89th Texas Legislature, adds new requirements related to a school district’s library materials and catalog. These requirements include:
● Ensuring parents have access to the library catalog and can control which library materials their
students can access
● Ensuring an effective library material challenge process
● Updating the school system’s library materials acquisition policy These requirements are outlined in
● Ensuring an effective library material challenge process
● Updating the school system’s library materials acquisition policy These requirements are outlined in
greater detail below.
Parental Rights regarding Access to Library Materials
SB 13 requires school systems to adopt procedures that allow parents of enrolled children to access the school’s catalog of library materials and submit a list of materials their child may not be allowed to check out or access outside the school library. The procedures must allow parents to do the following:
● Access the district or school’s online library catalog system
● Submit a list of materials using an electronic or physical form
Ballinger ISD utilizes the Follett online platform to meet these specific requirements. Parents can create their own user account to view records for their child's past and current book lists. Through this online access parents also have the ability to set restrictions on their child's account prohibiting access to specific titles as determined by the parent.
Any parents wishing to create an account in Follett to monitor their child's library records may reach out to the campus administrator to receive step-by-step instructions.
● Access the district or school’s online library catalog system
● Submit a list of materials using an electronic or physical form
Ballinger ISD utilizes the Follett online platform to meet these specific requirements. Parents can create their own user account to view records for their child's past and current book lists. Through this online access parents also have the ability to set restrictions on their child's account prohibiting access to specific titles as determined by the parent.
Any parents wishing to create an account in Follett to monitor their child's library records may reach out to the campus administrator to receive step-by-step instructions.
Local School Library Advisory Council
A school district board of trustees may choose to establish a local school library advisory council at any time to assist the district in ensuring that local community values are reflected in each school library catalog in the district.
Please see Ballinger ISD District Of Innovation for more information
Materials Acquisition Policy
SB 13 also requires the board of trustees of each school district to adopt a policy for the acquisition of library materials, which includes procedures for the procurement of library materials and the receipt of donated library materials.
Please see Ballinger ISD Board Policy EFB (LOCAL)
Challenge or Appeal Regarding Library Materials
A parent, a district employee, or a person residing in the district may submit a written challenge to any library material in the school library catalog or an appeal to the board of trustees of an action taken by the district in response to a received written challenge.
Please see Ballinger ISD Board Policy EFB (LOCAL)
LINK TO THE BALLINGER ISD APPEAL FORM, ADAPTED FROM TEA WEBSITE