Major Components of Collection Development Assignment

Basic terms such as “learning materials” will need to be defined. It often presents examples of materials that can be expected to be acquired under these definitions and procedures. The policy will state the expected role of the professional staff in making selection decisions. Presented here are details on how the professional staff will perform its duties.

The policy must state that all selections by the professional staff are made under the authority delegated by the board. The policy may further state that although many persons, including parents, students, teachers, and community members, may be involved at an advisory level, the overall responsibility for coordinating the selection of materials and making recommendations rests with the professional library media staff.

One of the most important criteria to be stated here is that all decisions must support and be consistent with the general educational goals and mission of the school district as well as those of individual schools within the district. Likewise, selection must meet the requirements for helping to provide enrichment and support for individual users. The policy may also suggest specific standards and outline problem areas that should not be overlooked in selection, including controversial issues and newly evolving concerns such as the needs of at-risk students.

Suggestions are made on the kinds of selection aids to be used in making decisions. In addition, this selection should also reemphasize who is involved in the selection process and the nature of their involvement. Problem areas such as how to evaluate gifts and how to process recommendations for purchases should be discussed here. In school districts with several schools, one official policy must apply to all schools. Nevertheless, because each school is different, the local building-level library may wish to add an official supplement to the policy explaining how the school is different and how selection of materials in that school will address its unique requirements in different ways.