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Library Services
Library Services
About Library Services
How Are Libraries Serving Your Children?
There is a large body of research showing that strong school libraries make a measurable contribution to student achievement, a summary of which can be found at School Libraries Work!
Your New Braunfels ISD librarians:
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Senate Bill 13
Senate Bill 13, which was passed during the 89th Legislative Session, introduced new legal requirements for districts across the state. Under this legislation, local boards of trustees must now approve any library book purchases or donations. This represents a significant shift in responsibility, as these decisions were previously managed entirely by the district staff. SB 13 also requires that school library materials remain free of content that is deemed to be “harmful material,” “indecent content” or “profane content.” The definition of these can be found online in Senate Bill 13.
Library Materials Challenge
As always, stakeholders may continue to challenge any book in the district’s collection by submitting a library materials challenge to the district if they feel a title is not appropriate. A Library Materials Challenge Committee made up of staff and parents will be formed. Parents interested in serving on the committee may sign up through the Parent Volunteer Application.
Library Material Purchases
When ready for a purchase of new library materials, NBISD will post a finalized book order list for at least 30 days to give a full opportunity for community input as part of SB13 compliance.
Board Approved Library Material Purchases
The following lists were posted for 30 days and board approved as part of SB13 compliance.
Parent Information
How Library Materials Are Selected for New Braunfels ISD Libraries:
Our New Braunfels ISD Library Services Mission is to lead our school communities in an environment that challenges students to IMAGINE possibilities, EXPLORE opportunities, and CONNECT with the future and the world. Since our school libraries serve a variety of grade levels, library materials are selected to benefit a wide range of student reading levels, interests, and needs, as well as support any specific curriculum needs.
Destiny Parent Controls
New Parental Control Features for Follett Destiny Library Manager
At New Braunfels ISD, we are dedicated to providing a safe and supportive learning environment. We recognize and value the essential role parents and guardians play in guiding their children’s education.
We are excited to introduce new parental control features in our online library catalog, Destiny Library Manager. These tools will enable you to browse your child’s school library collection, view current checkouts, checkout history, and restrict access to any materials you believe are not a good fit for your child. View instructions to access your login credentials and begin exploring this new tool.
These features will enhance our partnership in supporting your child’s education. By tailoring library access, we aim to create a learning environment that aligns with your family’s preferences. We encourage you to utilize these tools to foster meaningful discussions with your child about their library selections.
We are committed to helping you make informed decisions about your child’s learning resources. If you need further information regarding these tools, please reach out to your campus librarian at any other time during school hours.
SORA
 | NBISD students in grades 6th-12th have access to the app Sora by Overdrive (8th-12th can see the YA titles, but 6th & 7th grade cannot). Sora is a digital reading app for K-12 students, provided by OverDrive, that allows students to access a school or multiple schools’ collection of ebooks and audiobooks.It serves as the student-focused platform to discover and borrow digital content. Watch the video below on how to access your child’s Sora account. |
Board Policy
The following New Braunfels ISD Board Policy is referenced when purchasing library materials. Library materials may meet one or more of the following objectives, instructional or selection criteria:
– New Braunfels ISD Selection Policy EF Local Objectives:
- Enrich and support the curriculum, taking into consideration students’ varied interests, abilities, learning styles, and maturity levels;
- Stimulate growth in factual knowledge, enjoyment of reading, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and societal standards;
- Present various sides of controversial issues so that students have an opportunity to develop, under guidance, skills in critical analysis and in making informed judgments in their daily lives.
- Represent many ethnic, religious, and cultural groups and their contributions to the national heritage and world community;
- Provide a wide range of background information that will enable students to make intelligent judgments in their daily lives.
– New Braunfels ISD Selection Policy Instructional Resource Criteria:
- Support and are consistent with the general educational goals of the state and District and the aims and objectives of individual schools and specific courses consistent with the District and campus improvement plans.
- Meet high standards for artistic quality and/or literary style, authenticity, educational significance, factual content, physical format, presentation, readability, and technical quality;
- Are appropriate for the subject area, age, ability level, learning styles, and social and emotional development of the students for whom they are selected;
- Are designed to help students gain an awareness of our pluralistic society;
- Are designed to provide information that will motivate students and staff to examine their own attitudes and behavior; to understand their duties, responsibilities, rights, and privileges as citizens participating in our society; and to make informed choices in their daily lives;
- Library selections:
– Are integral to the instructional program;
– Are appropriate for the reading levels and understanding of students;
– Reflect the interests and needs of the students and faculty;
– Are included because of their literary or artistic value and merit; and
– Present information with the greatest degree of accuracy and clarity
– NBISD Library Book Selection Guidelines
New Braunfels ISD Librarians also reference the following New Braunfels ISD district components:
- Alignment to the New Braunfels ISD Mission and Vision Statements along with our Core Beliefs where life changers cultivate each individual student by knowing and appreciating them
Additional factors influencing consideration for the purchase of library materials include:
- Receive favorable professional library reviews from sources such as but not limited to School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Horn Book Guide for Children’s Books, and Young Adult Library Services Associations (YALSA) to access content quality, topics, and estimated age appropriateness
- Demonstrate literary merit, quality, value and significance
- Are highlighted on state and national award lists or cited on recommended reading lists
- Fill known gaps in topics, authors, series, or genres to cultivate a diversity of thought
- Incorporate accurate and authentic factual content from authoritative sources
- Exhibit a high degree of potential user appeal
- Provide a global perspective and promote diversity of thought by including materials by authors and illustrators of all cultures
- Comprise a variety of resources in physical and digital formats including print and non-print such as electronic and multimedia (i.e. subscription databases and other online products, e-books, educational games, and other forms of emerging technologies)
- Demonstrate popularity across other school libraries
- Represent diverse viewpoints and culture to ensure the collection embodies the unique backgrounds of our student population
Administrators, teachers, students, parents, and community members may recommend titles for selection. Gifts must be evaluated against these criteria and accepted or rejected in accordance with board policy.
With a wide range of ability, maturity and backgrounds among students, not all materials will appeal to, or be appropriate for, all students. In alignment with policy EF (LOCAL), every parent reserves the right to guide what his or her own student reads and to select reading or instructional materials that support their family’s unique set of views and opinions. No student shall ever be required to choose a library item that conflicts with their personal values and beliefs. We encourage parents and children to talk together about the materials students are reading and welcome parents to visit with their campus librarian to discuss any specific needs for their family.
FAQ
For additional questions, please visit the New Braunfels ISD Librarians webpage, contact the campus librarian or lead librarian Kacy Zaleski.
Additional Information
Mission:
The mission of NBISD Libraries is to engage students by promoting literacy, empowering discovery, and inspiring a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
Vision:
NBISD libraries work with every student to build a community of passionate readers, lifelong learners, and innovators who help make the world around them a better place.
Collective Goals and Objectives or Commitments*:
School librarians serve many roles within the school community: leader, instructional partner, information specialist, teacher, and program administrator. We have established these guiding principles as a reflection of our values as librarians and professionals in NBISD.
As a campus LEADER, we will…
- model a passionate love of reading.
- defend literacy and intellectual freedom.
- create a welcoming and supportive library space.
- serve on decision making teams within the school community.
- model life-long learning through professional development and continuous improvement.
As an INSTRUCTIONAL PARTNER, we will…
- collaborate with teachers to create engaging and authentic instructional opportunities and assessments.
- provide the school community with a wide variety of print and online resources that meet curriculum needs.
- encourage co-teaching between the librarian and classroom teacher.
- collaborate with district technology specialists to integrate technology within the classroom and library.
As an INFORMATION SPECIALIST, we will…
- provide leadership and expertise in acquiring and evaluating information resources.
- model effective strategies for locating, accessing, and evaluating information within and beyond the library.
- advocate for the use of library resources.
- provide professional development opportunities for campus staff on available informational resources.
- instruct patrons on the appropriate use of online resources including behavior within digital learning environments (digital citizenship).
As a TEACHER, we will…
- possess a solid understanding of the TEKS and district curriculum.
- hold students to high expectations for achievement and success.
- provide group instruction and individual guidance to students and staff at the point of need.
- utilize best practices and diverse teaching techniques to meet the needs of students of different backgrounds, demographics, cultures, and learning levels.
As PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR, we will…
- develop and promote library policies and procedures.
- manage staff, budgets, equipment, and facilities.
- acquire, process, organize, distribute, maintain, and inventory library resources.
- provide a variety of opportunities for students and staff to connect to the library.
- plan, execute, and evaluate the program to ensure quality.
*Collective Commitments credit goes to Frisco ISD – Amanda Butler.
View the to the Campus Library catalogs. Students may login by going to their ClassLink account.
View our online resources and a list of librarians and their contact information.
View our NBISD Library Book Selection Guide, aligned with our Board Policy.
Library Services
Library Services
About Library Services
How Are Libraries Serving Your Children?
There is a large body of research showing that strong school libraries make a measurable contribution to student achievement, a summary of which can be found at School Libraries Work!
Your New Braunfels ISD librarians:
- Taught over 3,850 hours and over 7,333 lessons on information literacy skills, digital citizenship, cyberbullying, author spotlights, book talks, makerspace/STEM activities, research and resources and much more!
- Hosted multiple authors, the Rio Mobile through the New Braunfels Public Library–and even reading dogs!
- Sponsored 25 book fairs, reading programs, contests and events, giving away thousands of dollars worth of books to students through book vending machines, donations and other ways.
- Attended more than 500 hours of staff & professional development in the world of library science. Several were presenters and attendees at conferences, including the New Braunfels ISD Academy, the Texas Library Association Annual Conference, BossLibrarian PD, the Association of School Librarians bi-annual Conference, the Texas Computer Education Association for Librarians Conference, The Canva Librarians Conference, Future Ready Librarians Conference, Librarypalooza, Podcast & Webinars
- Every NBISD librarian is GT certified and many have at least Apple Teacher Level 1 and Google Educator Level 1 certification.
Senate Bill 13
Parent Information
Destiny Parent Controls
Senate Bill 13, which was passed during the 89th Legislative Session, introduced new legal requirements for districts across the state. Under this legislation, local boards of trustees must now approve any library book purchases or donations. This represents a significant shift in responsibility, as these decisions were previously managed entirely by the district staff. SB 13 also requires that school library materials remain free of content that is deemed to be “harmful material,” “indecent content” or “profane content.” The definition of these can be found online in Senate Bill 13.
Library Material Purchases – Published July 16, 2026 at 4:30pm
When ready for a purchase of new library materials, NBISD will post a finalized book order list for at least 30 days to give a full opportunity for community input as part of SB13 compliance.
Note: The community feedback form will close on Thursday, September 10th
Board Approved Library Material Purchases
The following lists were posted for 30 days and board approved as part of SB13 compliance.
Library Materials Challenge
As always, stakeholders may continue to challenge any book in the district’s collection by submitting a library materials challenge to the district if they feel a title is not appropriate. A Library Materials Challenge Committee made up of staff and parents will be formed. Parents interested in serving on the committee may sign up through the Parent Volunteer Application.
Library Materials Under Review
New Braunfels ISD is conducting a comprehensive review of library materials to ensure all books available to students align with SB 13. A district review team, led by our Policy and Compliance Coordinator, is carefully examining each title to determine whether it meets the standards outlined in SB13. The review process is ongoing, and the list of books will continue to be updated throughout the Fall semester.
Library Materials Grievance
Stakeholders have the opportunity to appeal the removal of any book they believe complies with SB 13 and should remain available in our school libraries. This process will follow the normal NBISD grievance process, and would be used to return a library material back to the shelf that was considered SB13 non-compliant.
How Library Materials Are Selected
Our New Braunfels ISD Library Services Mission is to lead our school communities in an environment that challenges students to IMAGINE possibilities, EXPLORE opportunities, and CONNECT with the future and the world. Since our school libraries serve a variety of grade levels, library materials are selected to benefit a wide range of student reading levels, interests, and needs, as well as support any specific curriculum needs.
New Parental Control Features for Follett Destiny Library Manager
At New Braunfels ISD, we are dedicated to providing a safe and supportive learning environment. We recognize and value the essential role parents and guardians play in guiding their children’s education.
We are excited to introduce new parental control features in our online library catalog, Destiny Library Manager. These tools will enable you to browse your child’s school library collection, view current checkouts, checkout history, and restrict access to any materials you believe are not a good fit for your child. View instructions to access your login credentials and begin exploring this new tool.
These features will enhance our partnership in supporting your child’s education. By tailoring library access, we aim to create a learning environment that aligns with your family’s preferences. We encourage you to utilize these tools to foster meaningful discussions with your child about their library selections.
We are committed to helping you make informed decisions about your child’s learning resources. If you need further information regarding these tools, please reach out to your campus librarian at any other time during school hours.
SORA
NBISD students in grades 6th-12th have access to the app Sora by Overdrive (8th-12th can see the YA titles, but 6th & 7th grade cannot). Sora is a digital reading app for K-12 students, provided by OverDrive, that allows students to access a school or multiple schools’ collection of ebooks and audiobooks.It serves as the student-focused platform to discover and borrow digital content. Watch the video below on how to access your child’s Sora account.
Board Policy
The following New Braunfels ISD Board Policy is referenced when purchasing library materials. Library materials may meet one or more of the following Objectives, Instructional or Selection Criteria:
– New Braunfels ISD Selection Policy EF Local Objectives:
- Enrich and support the curriculum, taking into consideration students’ varied interests, abilities, learning styles, and maturity levels;
- Stimulate growth in factual knowledge, enjoyment of reading, literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and societal standards;
- Present various sides of controversial issues so that students have an opportunity to develop, under guidance, skills in critical analysis and in making informed judgments in their daily lives.
- Represent many ethnic, religious, and cultural groups and their contributions to the national heritage and world community;
- Provide a wide range of background information that will enable students to make intelligent judgments in their daily lives.
– New Braunfels ISD Selection Policy Instructional Resource Criteria:
- Support and are consistent with the general educational goals of the state and District and the aims and objectives of individual schools and specific courses consistent with the District and campus improvement plans.
- Meet high standards for artistic quality and/or literary style, authenticity, educational significance, factual content, physical format, presentation, readability, and technical quality;
- Are appropriate for the subject area, age, ability level, learning styles, and social and emotional development of the students for whom they are selected;
- Are designed to help students gain an awareness of our pluralistic society;
- Are designed to provide information that will motivate students and staff to examine their own attitudes and behavior; to understand their duties, responsibilities, rights, and privileges as citizens participating in our society; and to make informed choices in their daily lives;
- Library selections:
– Are integral to the instructional program;
– Are appropriate for the reading levels and understanding of students;
– Reflect the interests and needs of the students and faculty;
– Are included because of their literary or artistic value and merit; and
– Present information with the greatest degree of accuracy and clarity
– NBISD Library Book Selection Guidelines
New Braunfels ISD Librarians also reference the following New Braunfels ISD district components:
- Alignment to the New Braunfels ISD Mission and Vision Statements along with our Core Beliefs where life changers cultivate each individual student by knowing and appreciating them
Additional factors influencing consideration for the purchase of library materials include:
- Receive favorable professional library reviews from sources such as but not limited to School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Horn Book Guide for Children’s Books, and Young Adult Library Services Associations (YALSA) to access content quality, topics, and estimated age appropriateness
- Demonstrate literary merit, quality, value and significance
- Are highlighted on state and national award lists or cited on recommended reading lists
- Fill known gaps in topics, authors, series, or genres to cultivate a diversity of thought
- Incorporate accurate and authentic factual content from authoritative sources
- Exhibit a high degree of potential user appeal
- Provide a global perspective and promote diversity of thought by including materials by authors and illustrators of all cultures
- Comprise a variety of resources in physical and digital formats including print and non-print such as electronic and multimedia (i.e. subscription databases and other online products, e-books, educational games, and other forms of emerging technologies)
- Demonstrate popularity across other school libraries
- Represent diverse viewpoints and culture to ensure the collection embodies the unique backgrounds of our student population
Administrators, teachers, students, parents, and community members may recommend titles for selection. Gifts must be evaluated against these criteria and accepted or rejected in accordance with board policy.
With a wide range of ability, maturity and backgrounds among students, not all materials will appeal to, or be appropriate for, all students. In alignment with policy EF (LOCAL), every parent reserves the right to guide what his or her own student reads and to select reading or instructional materials that support their family’s unique set of views and opinions. No student shall ever be required to choose a library item that conflicts with their personal values and beliefs. We encourage parents and children to talk together about the materials students are reading and welcome parents to visit with their campus librarian to discuss any specific needs for their family.
FAQ
For additional questions, please visit the New Braunfels ISD Librarians webpage, contact the campus librarian or lead librarian Kacy Zaleski.
Parent Information
Mission
The mission of NBISD Libraries is to engage students by promoting literacy, empowering discovery, and inspiring a love of learning that lasts a lifetime.
Vision
NBISD libraries work with every student to build a community of passionate readers, lifelong learners, and innovators who help make the world around them a better place.
Collective Goals and Objectives or Commitments*:
School librarians serve many roles within the school community: leader, instructional partner, information specialist, teacher, and program administrator. We have established these guiding principles as a reflection of our values as librarians and professionals in NBISD.
As a campus LEADER, we will…
- model a passionate love of reading.
- defend literacy and intellectual freedom.
- create a welcoming and supportive library space.
- serve on decision making teams within the school community.
- model life-long learning through professional development and continuous improvement.
As an INSTRUCTIONAL PARTNER, we will…
- collaborate with teachers to create engaging and authentic instructional opportunities and assessments.
- provide the school community with a wide variety of print and online resources that meet curriculum needs.
- encourage co-teaching between the librarian and classroom teacher.
- collaborate with district technology specialists to integrate technology within the classroom and library.
As an INFORMATION SPECIALIST, we will…
- provide leadership and expertise in acquiring and evaluating information resources.
- model effective strategies for locating, accessing, and evaluating information within and beyond the library.
- advocate for the use of library resources.
- provide professional development opportunities for campus staff on available informational resources.
- instruct patrons on the appropriate use of online resources including behavior within digital learning environments (digital citizenship).
As a TEACHER, we will…
- possess a solid understanding of the TEKS and district curriculum.
- hold students to high expectations for achievement and success.
- provide group instruction and individual guidance to students and staff at the point of need.
- utilize best practices and diverse teaching techniques to meet the needs of students of different backgrounds, demographics, cultures, and learning levels.
As PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR, we will…
- develop and promote library policies and procedures.
- manage staff, budgets, equipment, and facilities.
- acquire, process, organize, distribute, maintain, and inventory library resources.
- provide a variety of opportunities for students and staff to connect to the library.
- plan, execute, and evaluate the program to ensure quality.
*Collective Commitments credit goes to Frisco ISD – Amanda Butler.
View the to the Campus Library catalogs. Students may login by going to their ClassLink account.
View our online resources and a list of librarians and their contact information.
View our NBISD Library Book Selection Guide, aligned with our Board Policy.
