the library collection

The Library CollectionThe Library Collection

InformationInformation

Deliver the Deliver the Right InformationRight Information

To the To the Right PersonRight Person

At the At the Right TimeRight Time

In the In the Right FormatRight Format

And, in the And, in the Right LocationRight Location

Collection of the library media center Collection of the library media center must be appropriate for the must be appropriate for the

community a school draws fromcommunity a school draws from

Principle 1Principle 1

•Need to knowNeed to know•Types of young people who come to schoolTypes of young people who come to school•Socio-economic levelsSocio-economic levels•Cultural mixCultural mix

A plan to build a curricular-oriented A plan to build a curricular-oriented collection with the accompanying collection with the accompanying

policies, staff expertise, and realistic policies, staff expertise, and realistic budgeting practices in placebudgeting practices in place


•Plan what areas of collection need to be Plan what areas of collection need to be strongstrong•Who will select materialsWho will select materials•Create collection map and selection policyCreate collection map and selection policy

An acquisition system that matches An acquisition system that matches curricular priorities is in placecurricular priorities is in place


•LMS shows that selection plan for new LMS shows that selection plan for new materials is accountable to collection materials is accountable to collection building planbuilding plan•How do you select materials?How do you select materials?•How to prioritize purchasesHow to prioritize purchases

Each type of media included in the library Each type of media included in the library media center is considered a system media center is considered a system

consisting of the materials, the consisting of the materials, the accompanying equipment, the support accompanying equipment, the support

staff, and facilitiesstaff, and facilities


•School acquires a computer but no softwareSchool acquires a computer but no software•Experimentation is a mustExperimentation is a must•Strong planning is more importantStrong planning is more important

Collections in single schools are Collections in single schools are constantly changing to meet current constantly changing to meet current

needs.needs.


•Collections supplemented from local, regional Collections supplemented from local, regional and national networksand national networks•Curriculum is a moving target..not stationaryCurriculum is a moving target..not stationary•School cannot “invest” in materials and School cannot “invest” in materials and expect them to last foreverexpect them to last forever

Collections reflect democratic ideas, Collections reflect democratic ideas, intellectual freedom, and cultural intellectual freedom, and cultural

diversitydiversity


•Build diversity into collectionBuild diversity into collection•Despite pressure from individuals and groupsDespite pressure from individuals and groups

Librarian as Collection DeveloperLibrarian as Collection Developer

At Issue: The media specialist must develop, maintain, and support an effective collection to support student learning.

Librarian must reflect on personal values, attitudes, and bias.

Goal: make objective decisions related to both curriculum and collection development.


Collaboration:Collaboration: Curriculum development and Curriculum development and

collection development must go collection development must go hand-in-hand.hand-in-hand.

Librarians & teachers work togetherLibrarians & teachers work together

Some IdeasSome Ideas Move from balanced collections which offer a little of

nearly everything, to focused collections which provide depth.

Consider not only what the critics prefer, but also what kids and teachers need to meet learning standards valued locally.

• Combine librarian selection and knowledge in selection with more collaborative selection respecting the instructional resource expertise of fellow teachers.

Move from a budget set by information formats to seeking additional dollars justified by information need and learning standard categories or projects.

Move toward clearer understanding among all educators involved as to how the curriculum can be supported, enhanced and even changed because of the depth of learning resources made accessible.

from David Loertscher

1. Describe the Community1. Describe the Community

2. Describe the Curriculum of the school2. Describe the Curriculum of the school Curricular initiatives of the schoolCurricular initiatives of the school

literacy, textbooks, diversityliteracy, textbooks, diversity

Collect lists of 5 major topics to be Collect lists of 5 major topics to be covered during yearcovered during year

3. Statement of the vision of the LMC3. Statement of the vision of the LMC How library will support schoolHow library will support school

Collection MapCollection Map

4. Draw a collection map 4. Draw a collection map (existing)(existing)

• Visual representation of collection Visual representation of collection strengths and weaknessesstrengths and weaknesses

• Divide the collection into pieces Divide the collection into pieces and partsand parts

• Each part has a function related to Each part has a function related to raising academic achievementraising academic achievement


Give examples to illustrate Give examples to illustrate needs:needs:

Beginner BookBeginner Book collection weak collection weak Science collection weak, or Science collection weak, or

curriculum changecurriculum change Expand collection of science fair Expand collection of science fair

support materialssupport materials Updating of careers collectionUpdating of careers collection


5. Draw a collection map 5. Draw a collection map • Work with advisory committeeWork with advisory committee• Make map of projected collectionMake map of projected collection• Provide a timeline of how the Provide a timeline of how the

collection will changecollection will change• Make a budget to cover collection Make a budget to cover collection

updatesupdates


6. Describe the Impact 6. Describe the Impact • Report back to funding agencyReport back to funding agency• What it was like before the moneyWhat it was like before the money• What I did with the moneyWhat I did with the money• What difference it madeWhat difference it made

Provide examples..Provide examples.. Photos of students and projectsPhotos of students and projects


Examples of successes: Examples of successes: Beginning to ReadBeginning to Read collection expanded by collection expanded by

500 vols. to help kindergartners & 1500 vols. to help kindergartners & 1stst graders read 300 books each per yeargraders read 300 books each per year

Graphic novel collection for teens to Graphic novel collection for teens to stimulate readingstimulate reading

Extensive collection of science fair support Extensive collection of science fair support materialsmaterials

Updating of careers collectionUpdating of careers collection



How to find materials:How to find materials:• Criteria for Selection of Library Media

Materials • Materials Review and SelectionMaterials Review and Selection


Policies and Procedures Online Procedures ManualOnline Procedures Manual Building a School Library Collection Building a School Library Collection

PlanPlan Criteria for Selection of Library Media Criteria for Selection of Library Media

Materials Materials Criteria for Selection of Library Media Criteria for Selection of Library Media

MaterialsMaterials

DeselectingDeselecting

•CREW (Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding)

the library collection

Business