Collection Assessment Procedures
I. Analyze the school environment
Solicit feedback from staff and students regarding the library media collection and whether
or not it is meeting their needs. This may include a formal or informal survey, collecting
recommendations/requests, analyzing interlibrary loan requests, and TLC collection analysis
reports.
II. Assess the school library media collection
Conduct an inventory in accordance with the School Library Media Policies and Procedures
documentation.
Examine and determine what to keep and/or withdraw in accordance with weeding
guidelines found in the School Library Media Policies and Procedures documentation.
III. Select and acquire materials
Use information collected in steps I and II of this process to determine focus areas for
purchasing materials.
Identify specific titles for purchase according to the selection guidelines and criteria
outlined in the School Library Media Policies and Procedures documentation.
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School Library Media Materials Selection Guidelines
1. School library media materials should be provided to meet curricular needs and to meet
individual needs, interests, and learning styles for all students and staff.
2. The school library media specialist should provide resources and resource services that
express diverse options.
3. School library media materials should focus on the basic humanity of all people and
should be free of stereotypes, multicultural or sexual bias, and other offensive
characteristics.
4. Human development and family life materials should be factual and presented in an
objective manner appropriate to the maturity level of the students. Circulation of these
materials is the responsibility of the individual school.
5. Religious materials should inform rather than indoctrinate.
6. Multicultural and special needs materials should promote understanding among people.
7. Physical and aesthetic characteristics should be considered in all school library media
materials.
8. High literary quality and technical merit are desirable in all school library media
materials. Materials of lesser quality may be selected to meet curricular needs if
necessary.
9. Titles in a series should be selected on the merit of the individual title, not the series as
a whole.
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GENERAL SELECTION CRITERIA FOR SCHOOL LIBRARY MEDIA RESOURCES
Resources should be:
Appropriate for age, grade, and ability levels
School library media resources should be accessible to students of varied abilities and
meet the informational and interest needs of all students.
Pertinent to the curriculum and the objectives of the instructional program
School library media resources should be selected on the basis of curricular needs.
Resources should reflect the identified learning outcomes of the instructional program.
Accurate in terms of content
School library media resources should present facts in an objective manner. Authority
of the author, organization, or publisher/producer should be considered in selection.
Resources concerning human development should contain facts that are presented in a
manner appropriate to the level of the students.
Reflective of the pluralistic nature of a global society
School library media resources should provide a global perspective and promote
diversity as a positive attitude of our society. It is important to include resources by
authors and illustrators of various cultures.
Free of bias and stereotype
Resources should reflect the basic humanity of all people and be free of stereotypes,
caricatures, sexual bias, and other offensive characteristics. School library resources
concerning religious, social, and political content should inform rather than indoctrinate.
Representative of differing viewpoints on controversial subjects
Students have the right to information on controversial issues. By having access to a
variety of resources, students will have the knowledge base to develop critical thinking
and problem solving skills. The school library media center provides free and equitable
access to information.
Contributing to a balanced collection
It may not be possible or even appropriate for every resource to be free of bias or to
present a full, fair, accurate, and balanced treatment of ideas or issues. It is essential for
the overall school library media collection to be full, fair, accurate, and balanced.
Appropriate in format to effectively teach the curriculum
School library media resources should be available in a variety of formats to meet the
needs and learning styles of a diverse student population.
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Up-to-date
School library media resources should be assessed for currency of the information as it
relates to the content and purpose.
Acceptable in literary style and technical quality
Literary quality, technical merit, physical arrangement, and aesthetic characteristics
should be considered as integral components in the evaluation of all media formats.
Cost effective in terms of use
School library media resources should be evaluated for cost effectiveness in terms of
accessibility, projected use, and durability.
Appropriate for students with special needs
School library media resources should be accessible to meet the needs and learning
styles of all students at all levels.
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