Effective July 1, 2022, each book newly made available to students through a school library media center or included in a recommended or assigned school or grade level reading list must be selected and approved by a District employee who holds a valid educational media specialist certificate, regardless of whether the book is purchased, donated or otherwise made available to students. 

The District's Library Media Specialists will endeavor to stay informed about appropriate new publications, using multiple sources, such as discussions with colleagues, attendance at conferences, and reading a variety of periodicals and book reviews. The Library Media Specialists will also receive and consider suggestions or requests brought forward by other faculty, students and parents.

Potential new books for the school library media center and reading lists will be evaluated to determine if they would be suitable for student needs and whether they would be appropriate for the intended grade level and age group. In considering possible new acquisitions, the Library Media Specialists will consult reputable, professionally recognized reviewing periodicals and school community stakeholders. The Library Media Specialist will also assess the level of student interest in the subject(s) presented and the ability of students to comprehend the material. Books that are selected must be free of pornography and material prohibited under F.S. 847.012.

The goal of the selection process is for the school's library media center and reading list collections to be based on reader interest, the support of State standards and aligned curriculum, and the academic needs of students and faculty.

After evaluation, the Library Media Specialists will inform principals of those books that have been evaluated and are approved for inclusion in the collections.

Periodically, books will be removed from the collection or discontinued, based on their poor physical condition, low rate of recent circulation, non-alignment to State standards, out-of-date content, or status following a parent's or community member's objection.

Click here to view recordings of the Library Media Challenge Committee meetings

Click here to access the documents provided to members of the review team

A parent, legal guardian, or resident of Pasco County may formally object to materials made available to students in a school or classroom library, or materials included on a school or classroom reading list.  An individual(s) requesting that material be withdrawn must follow the Library Media Center Materials Challenge Process.  

During the challenge process, the book is only removed from the collection if the challenge is due to alleged pornographic or sexually explicit content. The book would then be removed within 5 school days of receipt of the objection and remain unavailable to students of that school until the objection is resolved. (HB 1069)   

Challenge Process Steps 

Parent concern about Library Media/Classroom Library selection received at school level  

• Step 1: Principal facilitates a parent conference to hear and resolve the issue within.  
  • If resolved- no further action;   
  • If parent is not satisfied with outcome of conference proceed to Step 2  
• Step 2. Upon closure of the school level meeting, if there is no resolution, the complainant is directed to the District Instructional Materials website.  From this site, the parent/guardian will complete the  Library Media Materials Challenge to initiate the formal complaint to be heard at the district level. Once the machform is submitted, the Office for Leading and Learning is notified of the request.  
• Step 3. The District Instructional Materials Committee convenes (refer to policy 2520 for committee description) within 30 days of the receipt of the complaint. School district meetings of committees convened for the purpose of resolving an objection by a parent or resident to specific materials must be noticed and open to the public in accordance with s. 286.011, F.S. and parents of students who will have access to such materials must be included in such committees. (HB 1069)  The committee must read/view the title in its entirety. Professional reviews shall be referenced during the title review, and the complainants' comments will be taken into consideration. The committee shares the outcome with the principal and also provides the committee’s decision to the individual(s) in writing.  The decision must reflect the majority.  
• Step 4. If the parent/guardian is not in agreement with the outcome of the district committee hearing, that parent/guardian can proceed to the FLDOE Special Magistrate request process detailed in rule 6A-1.094126 This process allows the Commissioner of Education to appoint a member of the Florida Bar who is in good standing to review the complaint and determine a final judgement.