Collection Development in the School Library
Updated: February 24, 2025
Summary
Before librarians build a collection, they create a collection policy to guide decisions on what to include, remove, or update. This policy ensures consistency, intellectual freedom, openness to feedback, and avoidance of biases in selection. Recognizing and addressing biases in material selection is crucial to providing diverse and relevant resources that cater to patrons' interests and needs.
Collection Policy Establishment
Before librarians begin developing a collection, they must first establish a collection policy. Collection policies are written guidelines to follow when developing, adding to, or weeding a collection.
Importance of Collection Policy
Collection policy ensures consistency in guidelines followed when items are added or weeded from the collection. It also promotes intellectual freedom by providing access to a variety of information and resources, supports complaints about the collection, and helps in avoiding self-censorship and biases in selection.
Biases in Collection Development
Awareness of biases is crucial in collection development to prevent personal opinions or beliefs from impacting selection. Crib and Knox highlighted the importance of recognizing biases in selecting materials for a collection, which can affect the experiences of library patrons.
Challenges in Collection Development
Books and materials chosen for the collection may face challenges due to external pressures, personal biases, or limitations in reflecting diverse perspectives. It is essential to ensure that books appeal to readers and reflect the interests of patrons to enhance the collection's appeal and relevance.
FAQ
Q: What is the purpose of establishing a collection policy?
A: The purpose of establishing a collection policy is to provide written guidelines for developing, adding to, or weeding a collection to ensure consistency and promote intellectual freedom.
Q: Why is it important to be aware of biases in collection development?
A: It is important to be aware of biases in collection development to prevent personal opinions or beliefs from impacting the selection process.
Q: How can collection policies help in avoiding self-censorship and biases?
A: Collection policies help in avoiding self-censorship and biases by providing guidelines that ensure a variety of information and resources are accessible, supporting complaints about the collection, and preventing personal biases from influencing material selection.
Q: What challenges can books and materials chosen for a collection face?
A: Books and materials chosen for a collection may face challenges due to external pressures, personal biases, or limitations in reflecting diverse perspectives.
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