This practical text provides all the information and direction beginning school librarians need to develop and manage multiformat collections. With the myriad number of print and electronic materials now available for school libraries, librarians need to know how to select the right materials for their libraries, and how to maintain, evaluate, circulate, and promote their collections. The Collection Program in Schools: Concepts and Practices, Fifth Edition is a one-stop resource that thoroughly overviews the policies and procedures for timely and effective collection development for school libraries. The work is organized by chapters that explain the various tasks involved in effective collection development for school libraries. No other text includes a listing of the advantages, disadvantages, and copyright concerns of various formats. This introductory text also provides guidance on how to write policy and procedure manuals for school libraries; addresses concerns that impact collection development, such as ethical and fiscal issues, the curriculum, the school library environment, and special groups of students; and includes several figures and tables relating to these topics. • Additional readings of current articles and helpful websites at the end of each chapter • An appendix containing a comprehensive listing of annotated resources • Sample forms for collection development policies and procedures

Table of Contents:
Contents Illustrations Authors' Comments Introduction Chapter 1: The Collection Physical Entity and Accessibility The School Library Program and the Collection Roles of the School Librarian and the Collection Relationships That Influence the Collection District Level Regional Level State Level National Level Global Level Conclusions References Additional Readings Helpful Web Sites Chapter 2: Collection Development Learning About the Existing Collection Knowing the Community Assessing Needs Describing the Program Selecting Materials Acquiring and Processing Materials Resource Sharing Maintaining and Preserving Materials Accessing and Circulating Materials Evaluating the Collection Interaction of Collection Development Activities Other Factors That Affect Collection Development District School Library Program Financial Support and Control School Facilities Conclusions Additional Readings Helpful Web Sites Chapter 3: Community Analysis and Needs Assessment Learning About the Community Learning About the School Other Libraries Assessing User Needs Conclusions Additional Readings Helpful Web Sites Chapter 4: The School Library Program Scheduling of the School Library General Services Special Programs Evaluation of Programs Conclusions References Additional Readings Helpful Web Sites Chapter 5: Policies and Procedures Policy Versus Procedure Statements Formulating and Adopting Policies Writing a Policies and Procedures Manual Contents of a Manual Conclusions Additional Readings Helpful Web Sites Chapter 6: Selection Elements of a Selection Policy Statement of Philosophy Selection Objectives Responsibility for Selection Selection Criteria Gifts Policies on Controversial Materials Request for Reconsideration of Materials Selection Procedures Overview of the Selection Process Sources of Information About Resources Selection Tools Books Reviewing Journals Bibliographic Essays Relying on Reviewing Media Personal Examination Other Sources of Information Involving Others in Selection Sources of Assistance Conclusions References Additional Readings Helpful Web Sites Chapter 7: General Selection Criteria Intellectual Content and Its Presentation Authority Appropriateness of Content to Users Scope Authenticity Treatment Arrangement and Organization Instructional Design Special Features Materials Available on the Subject Value to the Collection Other Considerations Series Sponsored Materials Physical Form Technical Quality Aesthetic Quality Durability Safety and Health Considerations Cost Equipment Quality and Durability Performance, Compatibility, and Versatility Ease of Use Safety Maintenance and Service Reputation of Manufacturer and Dealer Cost Conclusions Additional Readings Helpful Web Sites Chapter 8: Criteria by Format Art Prints Audiocassettes Books Cartoons Cassette Tapes CDs CD-ROMs Charts Comics Computer Software DVDs E-Books E-Journals E-Zines Games Graphic Materials Graphic Novels Kits Magazines Maps and Globes Models Newspapers Online Databases Pamphlets Periodicals Posters Realia Slides Software Study Prints Textbooks and Related Materials Toys Videocassettes Web Sites Conclusions Additional Readings Helpful Web Sites Chapter 9: Acquisitions and Processing Policies and Procedures Distribution Systems Utilizing Jobbers Selecting Jobbers Acquisition Activities Bibliographic Verification Ordering Receiving Record Keeping Online Subscriptions Equipment Processing Activities Resource Sharing Conclusions Additional Readings Helpful Web Sites Chapter 10: Maintenance and Preservation Maintenance Policies Equipment Materials Responsibility Inventory Maintenance Procedures Inventory Emergency Planning and Security Conclusions References Additional Readings Helpful Web Sites Chapter 11: Circulation and Promotion of the Collection Circulating the Collection Circulation Policies Formats Number of Items Time Limitations Overdue, Lost, and Damaged Materials Circulation Procedures Promoting the Collection School Library Web Page Reading Displays and Bulletin Boards Professional Collection Conclusions Additional Readings Helpful Web Sites Chapter 12: Evaluation of the Collection Why Evaluate? Evaluation and Measurement Barriers to Evaluation Techniques for Measuring Collections Collection-Centered Measures Checking Lists, Catalogs, and Bibliographies Examining the Collection Directly Age Analysis Compiling Comparative Statistics Applying Standards Use-Centered Measures Circulation Studies In-House Use Studies User-Opinion Surveys Shelf-Availability Studies Analysis of Interlibrary Loan Statistics Simulated-Use Studies Citation Studies Document Delivery Tests Collection Mapping Vendor Services Conclusions References Additional Readings Helpful Web Sites Chapter 13: Ethical Issues and the Collection Providing Access Children's Rights and Intellectual Freedom Barriers to Access Inequality to Access Fiscal Limitations Physical Limitations Inadequate Design of Resources Internet Copyright Selecting Materials Selection and Censorship School Librarians and Personal Biases Providing Balance in a Collection Popularity Versus Literary Merit Acquisition of Materials and Equipment Maintaining and Preserving the Collection Circulating the Collection Evaluating the Collection Professional Responsibilities Scenarios Conclusions References Additional Readings Helpful Web Sites Chapter 14: The Curriculum The School's Purpose Educational Program Range of Course Offerings Special Programs and Events Educational Reforms and Trends Assessment of Student Learning Distribution of Learning Materials Professional Collection Resources for Particular Grade Levels Literature and Genre Materials Specific Subject Areas Conclusions References Additional Readings Helpful Web Sites Chapter 15: Special Groups of Students Students with Disabilities Formats and Assistive Technologies Autism Visual Impairment Deafness or Hearing Impairment Other Disabilities Gifted and Talented Students Diversity and Students Poor and Reluctant Readers Gay/Lesbian Students Other Special Groups of Students Conclusions References Additional Readings Helpful Web Sites Chapter 16: Fiscal Issues Relating to the Collection The Budget Knowledge of the Budget Process Planning and Implementing Licensing Resource Sharing Alternative Funding Fundraising Grant Writing Conclusions References Additional Readings Helpful Web Sites Chapter 17: Facilities, Digital Resources, and the Learning Environment Facilities Digital Resources Learning Environment Conclusions References Additional Readings Helpful Web Sites Chapter 18: Opening, Moving, or Closing the Collection Creating Initial Collections Shifting or Moving Collections Closing Collections Conclusions Additional Readings Helpful Web Sites Appendix: Resources Index