Dripping Springs ISD trustees approved approximately 300 new library materials, following a report from the School Library Advisory Committee on Nov. 17.

What’s new

The SLAC was established earlier this year after Senate Bill 13 passed in the 89th legislative session, which aims to gives school boards and parents more oversight over library materials.

Parents can now:

• View all library materials available to their child
• Edit which materials their child may check out
• View a log of materials their child has previously checked out

If a student tries to check out a book that has been restricted by their parent or guardian, the system will block the checkout process. Director of Curriculum and Instruction Alicia Maphies says librarians are trained to discreetly redirect students to another book.

A closer look

New library materials will be decided on through the following procedure:

1. Librarians make recommendations to the SLAC
2. The SLAC reviews and approves the materials
3. The SLAC posts a public comment feedback form
4. The DSISD board of trustees makes the final decision on materials

Additionally, last month the board approved EFB Local, which sets the district’s standards and guidelines for library materials. SLAC recommendations are expected to adhere to EFB Local standards.

Members of the SLAC met for the first time Oct. 14. The committee is scheduled to meet four times a year and give quarterly updates to the board.

While SLACs are optional under SB 13, DSISD elected to establish one.

“We decided that we very much value that community partnership and that community engagement and parental communication,” Maphies said.

What’s next

The SLAC will give another presentation to the school board in January with another list of recommended materials.

For more information about library materials and the SLAC, visit www.dsisdtx.us.