Why Do I Need a Policy? | ALA. The Art and Science of Collection Development | AASL Knowledge Quest. Collection development is a science and an art that certified school librarians are specifically trained for. In addition to the preparation provided during graduate courses, school librarians continue to learn about collection development via conference sessions, webinars, journal articles, professional connections, and more. School library collections are carefully curated and thoughtfully inclusive in content and perspectives to support the curricular and developmental needs and interests of students with the goal of inspiring lifelong learners and readers.
It is not a responsibility that school librarians take lightly. We are highly invested in curating quality collections that speak to our students and connect them to the world around them. Book selection can take weeks or even months to curate a list of high-quality books that represent a wide range of authors, genres, topics, views, and experiences that also meet students’ needs and interests. Web Extras | ALA Editions | ALA Neal-Schuman – ALA Editions | Neal-Schuman. /education/standards/ Logging into the proxy (Rutgers University Libraries) The School Library Media Specialist: Library Media Program: Introduction. What is collection mapping?
Collection mapping is the process of examining the quantity and quality of your collection and identifying its strengths and weaknesses. A number of authors have written about the process. The outcome of the process can serve as a guide during the collection development process. A collection map is a visual supplement to the automated catalog system that graphically displays the breath and depth of the collection. In other words, a collection map provides a quick picture of the collection. There are three basic assumptions about collections that relate to collection mapping. The collection should have breadth. Collection maps are used for many collection-related projects. What is a base collection and core collection? Collection mapping involves examining your collection and comparing it with some standard. A base collection is an arbitrary standard denoting the number of works recommended for a minimal level collection.
What should be in the collection? Logging into the proxy (Rutgers University Libraries) Guide SDSL SchLibrrn CollectAssess. Evaluation and Management of the Collection [6:11] Evaluating and maintaining the collection are some of the first steps in making sure that your print and digital collections meet the needs of your library community. In this lesson, you will discover several collection analysis tools to evaluate your print and digital collection in relation to your unique school community, you will learn how to use your school libraries online catalog to gather statistical data for collection analysis, and you will learn how visual representation and usability of your collection can influence the perceived value of the library's collection.
Collection analysis tools continue evolving to make gaining a bird's eye view of one's collection more accessible. Not to be mistaken for an audit, a collection analysis tool allows school library professionals to gather data to gauge circulation trends. They help identify redundancy and gaps for the purpose of strengthening the collection.