Selection+Policy

=**Selection **= === Whether a school library budget is big or small, materials must be evaluated and selected with wisdom, knowledge and common sense. Collection development requires the following professional competencies: ===
 * Knowledge of provincial, divisional and local goals for the educational program
 * Knowledge of student needs, interests and maturity levels
 * Assessment of the existing collection
 * Understanding of the curricular and extra-curricular programs in the school and school division
 * Knowledge of criteria for evaluation
 * Experience with different types of media

Essential Documents
Essential documents, prepared by your school, the school division, boards of education, and your provincial Ministry of Education, guide the decision-making and activities of the school libraries. Be sure to seek out, and familiarize yourself with these documents. 
 * Your school division should have the following in place:**
 * Collection Development Policy
 * Book Challenge Policy and Procedure
 * De-Selection, Weeding, and Discarding Procedure

Basic selection criteria apply to all types of materials in the collection A few examples of possible selection criteria include:

 * Relevance to the curriculum
 * Age appropriateness for the intended audience
 * Quality and durability of format
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Accuracy and currency of information
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Credibility, reputation, and significance of author, producer, publisher
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Artistic/literary quality
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Freedom from bias and stereotypes
 * <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Accurate portrayals of First Nation and Metis peoples

Controversy
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> Materials selection is sometimes controversial. The inclusion of certain resources in the school library may be challenged. Schools and school divisions must be prepared to deal with such challenges before they arise. Materials offered or promoted by particular interest groups and individuals must be carefully evaluated according to pre-set criteria before they are accepted into the collection.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Reviewing Journals for School Libraries
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> 1.[| Booklist] 2. [|Book Links] 3. [|The Horn Book Magazine] 4. [|Resource Links] 5. [|Canadian Review of Materials] 6. [|School Library Journal] 7.[| Teacher Librarian]

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Websites
<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">1. [|Teen Reads] 2. [|Good Minds] 3. [|The Children's Literature Web Guide] 4. Novelist- reviews accessed via school division and/or public library databases 5. [|Caldecott Medal and Honor Award] 6. [|Newberry Medal and Honor Awards] 7. [|YALSA] ( Young Adult Library Services Association) 6.[| NY Times Bestseller List] 7.[| Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Readers] 8. 2009 YALSA [|Top Ten Great Graphic Novels for Teens]