Library

ISD Library provides digital resources (see list below) that support student research, teaching and learning:

• Britannica School
• BrainPop
• Epic
• RazKids
• IXL
• Kids A-Z
• Flocabulary
• Tumble Book Library
• JSTOR

The use of computer technology for all aspects of teaching, learning and academic research is invaluable. With the advent of BYOD policy (Bring Your Own Device) policy, each student is expected to have their own device. Below are some guidelines for appropriate use of library computers:

1. Computer use is on a first-come, first-served basis.
2. Students, teachers, and parents can access library computers for library book searches via FOLLETT Destiny Library Manager. 
3. Students can also use the library computers to assist with printing their work. 
4. Unoccupied work stations will be viewed as available, and will be deemed available to others who need them.
5. Users should be considerate of the needs of other users. Viewing any materials that may be offensive to others in a public setting is unacceptable and should be reported to any of the Library staff. 
6. ISD Library staff reserve the right to impose time limits on computer use, moderate use of computers with special software or database access, and give students, faculty and staff first consideration.
7. Guests that need to use the library computer should first inform any library staff that is available, and may use the computers on request if no staff or students are working on them.

The Library / Media Resource Collection 

The Library/Media Resource provides students with a selection of qualitative and appropriate materials in a variety of formats that cater for students with diverse abilities. The development and maintenance of the library collection is the responsibility of the librarian working in collaboration with the students, faculty, and parents, within the guidelines of the general selection criteria. 

Selection Guidelines

To ensure materials are selected, to further the goals of meeting student and faculty needs, the items should be: 
Purchased in a variety of formats – print, visual, digital and on-line
Chosen to promote critical thinking and support personal growth. 
Chosen with consideration of standard book lists (The best in children’s books, reference books for school libraries)
Chosen from the IBO curriculum guides. 
Able to ensure the rights of the users to a balanced collection. 
Able to reflect the mission statement and goals of International School Dhaka. 
Able to reflect the philosophy of the IBO which is to develop students who have a global awareness. 
Able to support Host Country and Second Language acquisition. 

Selection Criteria

The selection shall be governed by professional considerations and not by political, moral and religious views. Materials will encourage and endorse individual human rights and values, as well as explore cultures from other areas in the world to support the curriculum and provide for personal growth. Selection criteria utilized includes:

1. Authoritativeness (background and reputation of the author, publisher)
2. Accuracy
3. Impartiality
4. Currency of data
5. Scope/depth of coverage
6. Appropriateness (to end user, format)
7. Relevance
8. Interest
9. Organization/Style/Aesthetic qualities
10. Physical characteristics (Will it stand up to circulation?)
11. Special features
12. Library potential (Demand/Relation to collection development strategies)
13. Cost/Cost-effectiveness
14. Instructional objectives

Weeding / Disposal Selection Policy:
Selection is an on-going process which include:

1. The replacement of lost and worn materials  still of educational value. 
2. Maintenance of and adherence to the Collection Development Plan. 
3. The removal of materials no longer appropriate due to:

• Questionable relevance to the curriculum
• Outdated, inaccurate factual content
• Outdated interpretations, values and attitudes
• Stereotypical, biased, condescending, or patronizing
• Not useful to classroom teachers
• Not of historical significance
• Poor physical condition
• Amount of circulation or use over the past year/past three years/past five years
• Material is available in more suitable formats
• Expired or no public performance rights  ||  Illegal copies of computer software

Retaining collection materials that are:

1. Items that hold academic value, 
2. The Teacher-Librarian and the school community find materials as valuable (relevant, authoritative, accurate, purposeful, classical, contextual). 
3. Archival material. Historical materials that require preservation. 

Donations and/or Free Materials
The Library / Media Resource will apply the same selection criteria when accepting gifts as when purchasing new materials, and such will be accepted or rejected by these criteria.
 

ACADEMIC INTEGRITY & ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS

Citations and Referencing

At ISD, we use Modern Language Association (MLA) style for citations and referencing. Citing your work gives credibility, authenticity, and authority to your information because it informs the reader / audience where to find out more about your researched topic. Work taken from other sources that is not cited (or lacks in-text citation) is considered as plagiarized and a breach of academic integrity. If you don’t cite a piece of information, your audience can assume that it has come from your own knowledge and understanding.

Definitions:

• Citation simply indicates to your reader/audience where your information has come from. It is sometimes called an in-text citation.
• Reference simply indicates all the bibliographic details compiled together.
• Bibliographic details simply indicates specific items that are needed to put together a reference (e.g., author, title, year of publication, URL, publisher/website name, etc).

A citation is meant to provide enough information to help your audience know exactly where to find that source. A citation style includes:

• Works Cited - This is a list of all the sources that you have cited in your document, arranged alphabetically at the end of your research work.
• In-text citations, which are placed in the body of your work (e.g., in an essay) to indicate which information is your own and the one taken from other sources.

At ISD, we use MLA citations, and what is largely needed for citations is the author’s surname (last name) or group name. Here is a copy of ISD Academic Integrity Policy for more information on academic integrity.

GUIDANCE ON THE USE OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS:

The IBO Academic Integrity Policy states that:

The IB will not ban the use of AI software. The simplest reason is that it is the wrong way to deal with innovation. Over the next few years, the use of this kind of software will become as routine as calculators and translation programs. It is more sensible to adapt and teach students how to use these new tools ethically (53).

ADDENDUM:

• How to cite Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools document is available here.
• ISD Academic Integrity Policy is available here.
• IBO Academic Integrity Policy is available here.
• The IB and AI Tools document is available here.
• FAQ - Artificial Intelligence Questions and Concerns document is available here.