Collection Development Policy:
Youth Services
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Introduction General Considerations: The Library recognizes its responsibility to make available a representative selection of fiction and nonfiction materials on subjects of interest to or relating to children from birth through age 18. The Youth Services Division serves a diverse community, including children, teens, parents, caregivers, homeschoolers, university students, teachers and other adults interested in children's literature as a field of study. The Library's collection should reflect its community. The Youth Services selectors are sensitive to the need for children to see themselves and their environment reflected in books and other materials. The selectors actively seek out works that accurately and respectfully do this. The collection should also reflect the broader world and offer children a perspective that goes beyond their immediate surroundings. |
Arrowhead Library System Materials Selection Policy Free Access to Libraries for Minors Great Web Sites for Kids Selection Criteria |
A concerted effort is made to support the reading programs of the local public, private and home schools. However, the Library does not attempt to acquire textbooks or other curriculum-specific materials except as such materials also serve the general public. Students' school-related needs are served with supplementary materials and reference works. It is expected that each school will meet its own curriculum demands with adequate books and other materials and that school districts will provide curriculum-related resources for sharing by teachers. The mission of the Library and the selection process for the Library's collection are designed to complement but not duplicate school library collections and services.
Children's literature created by northeastern Minnesota authors and/or set in the region is considered a highly desirable part of the collection.
Selection of materials that combine high literary quality with popular appeal is a priority. Some of the popular items purchased may not meet the highest standard of literary quality, but they can serve as a draw for reluctant readers and provide a wider range of choices for avid readers.
Materials for children are placed in either the picture book, juvenile, or young adult collections of the Main Library's Youth Services area. Professional reviews, publishers' recommendations, and staff experience are used to decide the appropriate collection designation for each item. In collaboration with Branch Library staff, Youth Services selectors maintain basic, well-rounded collections of children's materials at the Branches. Emphasis is placed on popular titles and frequently requested subject areas.
Media materials (movies and sound
recordings) for children are selected for the Main and Branch
Libraries in collaboration with Popular Library staff. At the
Main Library, most are shelved in the Popular Library media section,
with the exception of book/cassette kits, foreign language kits
for children, and selected instructional kits.
Age ranges for specific collections are indicated in the sections
that follow. These age ranges are not cast in stone. Reading abilities
and maturity levels vary from child to child, even when they are
the same age.
The Youth Services staff is trained to assist children and adults with identifying items in the collection that fit general reading level and subject criteria. It is the responsibility of the parents or other care-giving adults, however, to determine which materials are appropriate. They can best choose materials in accordance with their child's interests, reading level, reading comprehension, level of maturity and the family's values. There are a number of options available to parents to assist them in exercising this responsibility, including linking a child's library card account with a parent's, using a common password, and using a parent's email for notifications. Circulation staff members can assist parents and children with these options.
In materials dealing with religion, social issues and politics, variety and a balance of opinion are sought. Some materials may contain frank treatment of certain situations or unorthodox language that may be objectionable to some people. If these materials provide accurate information and/or feature realistic or well-portrayed characters and situations in the context of the genre, and as long as they meet the selection criteria outlined below, they may be purchased to meet a perceived or stated community need. By the same token that respects a parent's determination of what is right for his or her own child, one adult may not dictate what is right for another's child.
In the event of a complaint about an item in the Youth Services collection, the Division follows the Procedures for Dealing with Challenged Materials as stated in the Arrowhead Library System's Collection Development policy. [At the Duluth Public Library, the DPL Director and staff follow this policy directly, rather than involving the ALS staff.] The Duluth Public Library follows the Arrowhead Library System's policy as well as relevant American Library Association policies. For the Youth Services collections, the following statements are particularly relevant: the Library Bill of Rights, Free Access to Libraries for Minors, The Freedom to Read Statement, and Libraries: An American Value Statement.
Selection Criteria: Criteria for the individual collections housed in Youth Services are highlighted in the following sections. There are general criteria that apply to the selection of materials for all Youth Services collections, including:
Overall features of a book or
other item:
How well represented is the subject in the existing collection?
Is the title in demand, or is a demand anticipated?
How timely is the subject? How ephemeral?
How well is the title reviewed in professional journals?
Is the work original?
What is the quality of the writing and/or illustrations?
Is the information current and accurate?
What is the reputation of the author/illustrator?
What is the reputation of the publisher?
What is the availability of material on the subject?
Is the title more appropriate for a school library?
What special features (indexes, bibliographies, etc.) does the
work offer?
Is the format appropriate for a library collection?
What is the quality of the print, paper, and binding?
Does the title appear in special bibliographies or indexes?
Is it appropriately priced, and is it affordable?
Is it of historical significance?
Is there room for it on the library's shelves?
Reviews: In most cases, selectors make purchasing decisions with the help of journals which review materials for children, including general titles such as the New York Times Book Review, Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, Publishers' Weekly, School Library Journal, and Horn Book. Other specialized journals, such as Christian Library Journal, VOYA (Voice of Youth Advocates), SB&F (Science Books & Films), and Locus are consulted for review information pertaining to relevant collection areas. Selectors also rely on online review sources, news articles, youth-related web sites, and bibliographies produced by recognized and respected organizations (such as the American Library Association, the National Book Awards committee, etc.) for reviews and recommendations. Some items are ordered without reviews, including some small-press publications, high-demand television and movie tie-in books, popular series, and spin-off series. When there are no reviews available for particular items, professional judgment is used.
Currency: The Library strives to acquire new titles as close to their publishing date as possible to assure currency and to respond to the public's demand for new, high-interest titles. Wholesalers' catalogs (such as Ingram and Baker & Taylor) identify new titles, and pre-publication reviews are often available. Publishers' catalogs are also consulted for new and upcoming titles.
Patron suggestions and donations: Patron suggestions are welcomed and honored as long as the items meet the stated selection criteria. Donations are considered for addition to the Youth Services collection on the same basis as those selected and purchased with library funds. Donations that are not added to the collection are given to the Friends of the Library for sale.
Board
Book Collection
Collection overview: The Board Book collection is for babies
and toddlers. These books have cardboard pages, which make them
durable and help to introduce young children to basic book handling
concepts. Many board books in the collection deal with simple
concepts, such as shapes, colors, and counting. Board book editions
of previously issued picture book titles are purchased only if
appropriate to a toddler audience. Format is a factor in the selection
of titles. For example, board books with plastic moving parts
or toys affixed to them, cloth books, those with scent strips
or stickers, and books that are consumable or ephemeral, as well
as those books smaller than 4" by 4," are not generally
purchased for the Board Book collection.
Selection plan: Review sources include standard selection
tools, publishers' catalogs (particularly those specializing in
parent and teacher resources), suggestions from patrons and staff,
and lists of recommended titles. Books that support early literacy
programs such as the Library's Book Time With Your Baby program
are especially important.
Retention and weeding: Board book titles are retained as
long as they are in good condition and continue to circulate.
Due to the fact that very young children handle these books, pages
get bent, corners are bitten, and covers are smudged. Due to heavy
usage, it is necessary to continually maintain this collection
and frequently discard those titles no longer in circulating condition.
Board books that have been identified by standard review sources
as core titles in this genre are replaced if they are available.
Picture
Book Collection
Collection overview: This collection consists of picture books,
which are generally a synergy of words and art. These books are
primarily meant for reading aloud to children from birth through
approximately age eight. The Picture Book collection is maintained
as a popular collection of titles that is consistent with the
diverse backgrounds and interests of all sectors of the community.
This collection serves children, parents and caregivers living
in the northeastern Minnesota region, as well as university students,
teachers and other adults interested in children's literature
as a field of study.
The Library also purchases picture books in big-book (oversize)
format. These are intended for reading aloud to groups of children.
Though still a small proportion of the picture books produced, more picture books have been published recently in which subject, style, illustrations and language are developmentally more appropriate for readers over the age of eight. In these cases, content takes precedence over format, and the books are usually placed in the Juvenile Fiction collection. Overall treatment of the subject as it relates to age-appropriateness is key in choosing between collections. As in all library collections, we recommend that parents or other care-giving adults supervise a child's choice of library materials.
Selection plan: When considering titles for purchase
it is desirable to locate two positive reviews, when possible.
Standard selection review journals are consulted, as well as other
magazine and newspaper reviews. Patron suggestions for purchase
are also encouraged. Award winning titles, particularly Caldecott
Award and Honor books, are automatically purchased, as are many
titles by established authors. The purchase of books with local
interest or by local authors or illustrators is a priority. The
Library is also interested in supporting early literacy in children
and purchases books with this in mind. Books that are in great
demand by children of the ages served are often purchased in multiples.
Retention and weeding: Picture book titles are retained as long as they are in good condition and continue to circulate on a regular basis. Worn copies of classics may be retained if the title is no longer in print. Books that have historical value may also be retained. Reference sources such as Best Books for Children are consulted during the weeding process. Particular attention is paid to maintaining a well-rounded collection, which may necessitate replacing worn or missing copies of titles.
Easy
Reader Collection
Collection overview: These are books intended primarily for
beginning readers. Their difficulty ranges from books for emerging
readers (readers who know the alphabet and are ready to make the
first steps toward reading) to books with simple sentences and
short chapters for those who are ready to transition to longer,
more difficult books for independent readers. Most of the books
contain word lists, controlled vocabulary, large typeface, illustrations
on nearly every page, and few words per page. Some take a phonetic
approach to teaching reading.
The books in this collection are fiction titles. In recent years, there has been a trend toward publishing nonfiction easy readers. The Library purchases well-reviewed titles for our nonfiction collection on a regular basis.
Selection plan: Books with subject matter that is appropriate for and appealing to beginning readers are sought. Many easy readers are published in series and are in high demand. Books teaching reading with the phonics method are also popular and therefore purchased on a regular basis. Professional reviews for many easy readers are available in journals and through online sources. Emphasis is placed on high-quality general-interest titles. Typically at least two positive reviews are required before a hardcover purchase is made. In response to popular demand, the collection includes a sampling of titles considered to be of transitory interest (for example, tie-ins with TV shows and movies). Some series are on standing order.
When available, hardcover editions of titles expected to be in highest demand are purchased. Due to space and budget considerations, where multiple copies of a title are needed, the collection is supplemented with paperback editions.
Retention and weeding: Books are kept as long as they are in good condition and continue to circulate. Periodic reports are run (ideally once a year) to determine which books are not circulating well. Those that have not circulated within two years, unless they are classics deemed important to keep, are withdrawn.
Juvenile
Fiction Collection
Collection overview: Collection overview: This collection
contains books of current interest as well as classics for independent
readers from about grades two through six. It includes general
fiction, mysteries, and science fiction/fantasy and represents
a wide variety of subjects, themes, developmental issues, and
life situations. Abridgements and adaptations of classics are
kept here. Large-print editions of selected award winners and
otherwise popular titles are part of this collection. These editions
help meet the demand for popular items and provide choices for
patrons with low vision. The Library buys hardcover and paperback
formats and, for the most part, shelves paperbacks on spinner
racks. Due to high demand, there are many paperback series to
choose from. The Library makes it a point to see that the collection
represents local (Duluth and Minnesota) children's authors and
interests.
Selection plan: Emphasis is placed on literary quality when purchasing hardcovers. Multiple copies of award winners are purchased. Professional reviews are consulted; in most cases, at least two favorable reviews for hardcovers are required. Multiple copies are purchased when high demand is evident or anticipated. Many juvenile fiction books are published in series and are in high demand. It has proven more cost-effective to purchase hardcovers in trade binding rather than library binding, unless the books prove to be so frequently circulated that they do not hold up to trade binding; in those instances, the copies are replaced with the more expensive library-bound edition.
Retention
and weeding:
Books are kept as long as they are in good condition and continue
to circulate. Periodic reports are run (ideally once a year) to
determine which books are not circulating well. Hardcovers that
have not circulated within three years, unless they are classics
deemed important to keep, are withdrawn. Paperbacks, with the
exception of classics and award-winners, are weeded more frequently.
Young
Adult Fiction
Collection overview: The target audience for this collection
of general fiction, romances, science fiction/fantasy and mysteries
is teenagers (ages 12-18). However, emphasis is given to interests
pertaining to the younger and middle ages of the range, as older
teens gravitate toward the adult collections. The collection attempts
to reflect the current needs and interests of this age group and
to complement the reading programs of the schools. Some adult
titles are duplicated in the Young Adult section, such as Agatha
Christie mysteries, classics, and selected titles from the annual
Alex Awards list (adult titles of interest to young adults). Large-print
editions of selected award winners and otherwise popular titles
are purchased. These editions help meet the demand for popular
items and provide choices for patrons with low vision. A variety
of magazines published for young adults are also offered in the
Young Adult area.
When mature subject matter is involved, information in published reviews often helps determine whether the matter's treatment is appropriate for young adults. When warranted, Youth Services staff members inspect the books more closely. Teens are maturing younger, and in this electronic age of easy access to information, it is more important than ever to provide accurate and well-written books that address their concerns.
Selection plan: Books are chosen for their literary quality and recreational reading appeal. Professional reviews are consulted; in most cases, at least two favorable reviews for hardcovers are required. Multiple copies are purchased when high demand is evident or anticipated. A number of young adult paperback series are bought on standing order. It has proven more cost-effective to purchase hardcovers in trade binding rather than library binding, unless the books prove to be so frequently circulated that they do not hold up to trade binding; in those instances, the copies are replaced with the more expensive library-bound edition.
Retention
and weeding:
Books are kept as long as they are in good condition and continue
to circulate. Periodic reports are run (ideally once a year) to
determine which books are not circulating well. Hardcovers that
have not circulated within three years, unless they are classics
deemed important to keep, are withdrawn. Paperbacks, with the
exception of classics and award-winners, are weeded more frequently.
Juvenile
Nonfiction Collection
Collection overview: The Juvenile Nonfiction collection contains
information on subjects of popular interest as well as basic subject-oriented
and homework related materials for children up to age 15. A variety
of reading levels is included, ranging from picture book format
to easy reading to more advanced elementary and middle school
materials. The collection may contain some books written for an
older audience if the subject matter is of interest to children.
Duplication with the Adult Nonfiction collection is avoided unless
there is a high demand for the subject by both audiences, such
as books with local interest. The Library intentionally represents
local (Duluth and Minnesota) subjects and local children's authors
in this collection.
The Library also orders pamphlets that are placed in a vertical file. Pamphlets supplement the collection with additional information on a specific topic. Some of these are purchased annually, such as CultureGrams, and others are received free of charge.
Selection plan: When considering titles for purchase, standard review sources are used. In addition, lists of recommended books, award-winning books, vendors' online catalogs (which sometimes contain reviews), and publishers' catalogs are consulted. A small number of publishers' representatives are invited to bring in new titles for hands-on examination. Discussions with librarians and patrons are also used to determine which items to purchase, re-order, or to fill gaps in the collection. More than one edition or version of a work may be purchased, particularly if the illustrator or adaptor has received a recommendation in professional reviews. This is especially true in the areas of folklore and poetry. Multiple copies are purchased when high demand is evident or anticipated.
Materials should meet high standards of quality in content, expression and format, interest to individuals or community, wide coverage of subjects and viewpoints, clear colorful illustrations, and an accurate representation of the subject.
The Library does not attempt to acquire textbooks or other curriculum-specific materials except as such materials also serve the general public. Students' school-related needs will be served with supplementary materials and reference works. It is expected that each school will meet its own curriculum demands with adequate books and other materials. The mission of the Library and the selection process for the Library's collection are designed to complement not duplicate school collections and services.
Retention and weeding: Weeding of the collection is an ongoing process to cull out unused titles, books containing out-dated or inaccurate information, unneeded duplicate copies, or books damaged beyond repair. This makes room for new titles and replacements of damaged materials. The collection is continually monitored to identify books requiring mending by Library staff or replacement with a new or updated copy. Use of the collection, the needs and interests of the community, requests and reserve lists, and the cost and availability of similar materials or of specific titles will be considered in determining the number of copies of each title the Library should have and when an item should be replaced, repaired, or withdrawn. The same principles applied to the selection of materials are applied to their removal from the collection. A nonfiction collection that has both depth and breadth, with accurate and timely material, is essential.
Young
Adult Nonfiction Collection
Collection overview: The Young Adult Nonfiction collection
focuses on books for young people ages 12-18. Items reviewed for
a large range of ages are considered if the reviewed range includes
these levels, even if the starting range falls below these levels.
Duplication with the Adult Nonfiction collection is generally
avoided; there is no duplication with the Juvenile Nonfiction
collection. The emphasis of the collection is on books that are
of a popular nature and books that are of special interest to
teens, as well as titles that may be used for homework assignments.
The primary function of this collection is to gather items that
appeal to teens and that are outside the scope of the Juvenile
and Adult collections.
Selection plan: The Young Adult Nonfiction collection uses the same general criteria and review sources as the Juvenile Nonfiction collection. Special review journals such as VOYA (The Voice of Youth Advocates) are also used. The selection of young adult material focuses on books of special interest to teens, including material that may fall between the cracks of other collections, and is appropriate for the targeted group.
Retention and weeding: Weeding of the collection is done under the same guidelines as the Juvenile Nonfiction collection.
Foreign
Language Collection
Collection overview: The Juvenile Foreign Language collection
consists of recreational reading and language learning materials
for languages other than English. These include bilingual materials,
books in other languages, and language instruction. The collection
serves children up to age 15, with an emphasis on materials for
younger children. The fiction collection mainly includes picture
books, with selected titles for beginning and older readers. These
consist of translations of popular or classic English language
books, as well as books in their original language. Language learning
materials are the main focus of the nonfiction portion of the
collection. A number of folk tales and poetry books are included.
Some bilingual dictionaries published for adults are included
in this collection if they are perceived as being useful for the
target audience. There are only a few informational books since
that is not the collection's main purpose. New language learners
are the primary audience, but native speakers also use the collection.
An effort is made to include a variety of languages to reflect
the community and also to represent the wider world. The Spanish
language collection is the largest.
Selection plan: As with other collections, standard selection tools and other resources are used. The journal Criticas is also used to select Spanish language materials. The same standards of quality are used as with English language materials; quality of the translation is also considered.
Retention and weeding: Regular weeding, based on use and condition of material, is conducted. Materials with low circulation are often retained if there are no other materials with that language in the collection.
Graphic
Novels
Collection overview: The graphic novel is a format in which
a narrative is conveyed with sequential art. The graphic novel
format holds great appeal for reluctant and avid readers alike.
While this format has been in existence for many decades, its
acceptance in the United States as an important and popular format
has only recently been recognized.
The graphic novel format includes a wide variety of genres and subjects. Graphic novels can be nonfiction, adaptations of classic novels, science fiction, realistic fiction, fantasy, horror, romance or superheroes. Graphic novels can be found in the Juvenile Fiction, Juvenile Science Fiction, Juvenile Nonfiction, Young Adult Fiction and Young Adult Nonfiction collections.
The graphic novel has worldwide popularity, with many foreign books being translated into English, particularly from France, Japan, and Korea. Readers should be aware that there may be cultural differences reflected in both the art and writing of the graphic novel.
Youth Services staff members are trained to assist children and adults with choosing developmentally appropriate materials for young people, but it is the responsibility of the parents or other care-giving adults to determine which materials are appropriate for their child.
Selection plan: When considering titles for purchase, standard selection review journals are consulted, as well as other magazine and newspaper reviews and online resources. Patron suggestions for purchase are also considered. Individual titles and series that are popular may be purchased in multiples.
Retention and weeding: Graphic novels are retained as long as they are in good condition and continue to circulate. Worn copies of classic or popular titles may be repaired or replaced depending upon availability. If a publisher produces books with bindings that do not stand up to typical library use, these books are not purchased or replaced.
Magazines
Collection overview: Magazines are purchased to support the
educational and entertainment interests of children, parents,
and teachers. They are separated into Juvenile, Sports, Science
Fiction/Fantasy, Young Adult, and Parent-Teacher collections and
are shelved adjacent to their respective book collections.
Selection plan: Magazine titles are chosen to supplement the book collections. Parent-Teacher magazines provide information on childcare, parenting, education, and homeschooling. The Juvenile, Science Fiction, and Young Adult magazines are selected for entertainment and educational purposes in appropriate age ranges. Sports magazines supplement the Juvenile Nonfiction collection in the areas of popular sports and sports collectibles. Professional and popular review sources are used to select titles. The Library usually obtains sample copies for reviewing purposes.
Retention and weeding: Most magazines are kept for one to three years before being removed from circulation and then may be sent to the reference collection or the pamphlet file. Magazine titles are reviewed for age appropriateness and may be dropped if the title no longer suits the Youth Services collection. A magazine title may also be dropped if it does not circulate well. If a magazine goes out of print, another title with similar content may be added.
Parent-Teacher
Collection
Collection overview: This nonfiction collection contains materials
intended for use by parents, teachers, childcare providers and
youth advocates. It is primarily a book collection. The emphasis
is on practical materials rather than academic or theoretical.
Areas of emphasis include:
1) Books on parenting
2) Books on child development
3) Books dealing with the educational needs of children (enrichment
activities, programming, curriculum support and guides, Hooked
on Phonics audio tapes)
4) Books offering suggestions for entertaining children (activities,
crafts, family outings)
5) Bibliographic reference works and readers' advisory materials
(for example, A to Zoo, Great Books for Babies and Toddlers)
6) Books related to children's literature
7) Homeschooling resources
8) Reports from relevant agencies (for example, the Search Institute
of Minneapolis, the National Association for the Education of
Young Children)
Selection plan: Parent-Teacher materials are selected using the general criteria and review sources listed in the Introduction to the Youth Services Collection Development Policy. Suggestions from patrons and staff are encouraged. Special emphasis may be given to materials that deal with topics of current interest or important research, such as early literacy and brain development. An effort may also be made to provide materials that support community interests and programs like the Library's Book Time With Your Baby program.
Since many parents and caregivers look for parenting information while visiting the Library with their children, the Parent-Teacher collection is housed in the Youth Services Division near the children's play area. For this reason, materials may occasionally duplicate holdings in the Adult Nonfiction section. At the Branches, duplication of holdings is generally avoided since Parent-Teacher books are integrated into the Adult Nonfiction collections.
Retention and weeding: Usage, condition, currency, and space are factors in weeding this collection. To aid the process, computer reports are run periodically to determine which books have not been circulating. The same principles applied to the selection of materials are applied to their removal or replacement.
Media
Kits
Collection overview: Media kits purchased for the Youth Services
department generally consist of a single cassette or CD packaged
with a book. They are used for recreation, help for readers, and
simple foreign language instruction. The majority of these materials
are used to supplement the Picture Book, Easy Reader, and Foreign
Language collections. They are shelved near both the general and
holiday picture books and with the Foreign Language collection.
A few larger kits are shelved in the Parent-Teacher Collection.
Selection plan: The primary consideration in selecting most media kits is the original book. When the book is popular or an award winner, the kit is purchased. Reviews in various professional journals are consulted when available. If the book from a kit cannot be used without the cassette or CD or if the book cannot be replaced, it is unlikely that that kit will be purchased.
Retention and weeding: Media kits are retained as long as they are in good condition and continue to circulate. Worn copies of kits or books for kits may be repaired or replaced depending upon availability.
Games
Software Collection
Collection overview: This collection consists of CD-ROMs for
designated games computers for children up to age 12. The games
add to the variety of activities for children offered in Youth
Services. For children who do not have computers at home, the
games computers provide an opportunity to acquire and enhance
basic computer skills.
Selection plan: Standard selection tools such as School Library Journal sometimes review software. Also, Children's Software Revue, catalogs, and the web site amazon.com are used. Educational value has always been a major factor in selection, but entertainment value is also important. The criteria for selection include compatibility with the game computers' operating system, ease of use, playability within the 30-minute computer turn allowed, and anticipated popularity.
Retention and weeding: Titles are occasionally reviewed for use and replaced with new games. Use of individual games is tracked on a daily basis to help determine popularity.
Toys
Collection overview: The Library purchases toys both to circulate
to customers and to use in the Library. For circulating toys,
the emphasis is on durable, educational toys and games for children
from birth to approximately age 8. For toys to be used in the
Library, the emphasis is on toys for imaginative play by young
children in the play area and on board games for children and
teens. Puzzles and manipulative toys are also provided for the
play area.
Selection plan: Few selection tools are used, though award-winning toys are considered for purchase. Durability, manageability, popularity, past experience and cost are key. Toys are purchased from reputable toy vendors and from local stores. Toys may be ordered at any time, but larger orders are typically placed twice a year.
Retention and weeding: Toys are discarded if they are not used or if they are in disrepair. A basic collection of toys is kept in reserve for ongoing replacement.
Story
Kit Collection
Collection overview: Each Story Kit is a box containing books
on a theme. To each box is added a collection of relevant items,
such as games, filmstrips/videos, puppets, puzzles, etc. Story
Kits are intended primarily for use by adults who share books
with children aged 3-7 in educational settings.
Selection plan: New Story Kits may be added on an as-needed basis. Guidelines for the purchase of picture books and toys also apply to Story Kits.
Retention and weeding: Story Kits (and the items in them) are discarded, repaired, reorganized or replaced as needed.
Story Shelf Collection
Collection overview: The Story Shelf collection is a non-circulating, uncataloged set of books used by Library staff for storytimes at the Main and Branch Libraries and at community sites. Since most storytimes presented are to preschoolers, the majority of the collection is geared toward that age. It consists of picture books, big books (oversize picture books), professional resources (with storytelling tips, prop-making instructions, and collections of finger rhymes, action rhymes, and children's songs), and storytelling props (puppets, flannel board and magnet stories, etc.).
Selection plan: Picture books and big books are selected with the same criteria as used for the circulating collection and for their suitability for reading aloud to groups of children. Simple concepts, appealing story lines, and clarity of illustrations are a must.
New professional resources are added to the collection when they are positively reviewed and fill a need as perceived by the staff members who present storytimes.
Storytelling props can enhance a storytime. Since they tend to be high-priced, they are only purchased on an occasional basis. The Library has access to a props kit collection at the Arrowhead Library System and does not duplicate its purchases.
Retention and weeding: Once a year, the storytime presenters review the collection for the purpose of weeding. The books are dated each time they are used for a storytime. Those that are not being used often are weeded after checking with all presenters. Weeded Story Shelf books are usually added to the circulating collection.
Reference
Materials
Collection overview: In most cases, these materials are useful
for gathering information rather than for reading from cover to
cover. Examples include dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases,
almanacs, and bibliographies. These books may only be used in
the Library to ensure their availability. They are shelved in
three locations:
Homework Reference Collection (located on the Homework Reference shelves at the beginning of Juvenile Nonfiction): This collection is for children up to age 15 and is used for personal information as well as for school assignments.
Ready Reference Collection (located behind the Youth Services desk): This collection contains books written for adults and is mostly used by staff and other adults who work with children. These books help with readers' advisory and reference questions.
Professional Librarian's Reference Collection (located in the Youth Services manager's office): This collection is used by Library staff for planning Library services and programs.
Selection plan: As with the Juvenile Nonfiction collection, standard selection tools and other resources are used. Materials should meet the same standards of quality. Topics with heavy use may be duplicated in the appropriate Youth Services circulating collection. The Professional Librarian's Reference collection is generally not duplicated. For some titles with regular new editions, standing orders are used to ensure that the latest edition is in the collection. Sometimes the newest edition is placed in a reference collection and the older edition is transferred to the circulating collection. More than one edition may be kept in the circulating collection if the title is in high demand and still relatively timely.
Retention and weeding: Weeding of the collection is done periodically to remove out-dated materials. Since use of the Homework Reference collection cannot be accurately monitored, and wear and tear on reference materials is minimal, the main criteria for removal are out-dated and inaccurate information. Books may be replaced by a new edition of the same title or a new edition of a similar title. Usage of the Ready Reference and Professional Librarian's collections are easier to determine since they are mostly used by staff or with the help of staff. Unused titles, therefore, can be more easily identified and weeded out.
Online
Resources
Introduction: To assist customers in using the Library,
the Youth Services Division provides selected online resources
for use by children, teachers, parents and caregivers. Internet
sites, subscription databases (electronic resources) and Duluth
Public Library-generated databases are the most common online
resources selected by the Youth Services Division. Selection and
retention of the resources follows the guidelines outlined in
the Youth Services Internet Sites and the Electronic Resources
policies, which follow. These online resources are available through
the Duluth Public Library web site and through special online
"collections." As with other library materials, restriction
of a child's access to online resources, especially the Internet,
is the responsibility of the parent or other care-giving adults.
Parents are encouraged to work closely with their children to
select material that is age-appropriate and in keeping with personal
and family values.
The special online collections, such as eHomework, Readers' Advisory, and Early Literacy Resources, usually include a selection of Internet sites, subscription databases, and Library-generated databases to be used for a specific purpose. Online collections are available either on dedicated computers in the Youth Services area or through special links on the Youth Services web page. In addition, the individual resources selected for these collections can be accessed through the subject directories on the Youth Services Kids and Teens web pages, unless restricted by licensing.
Youth
Services Internet Sites
Collection overview: To assist customers in using the Internet,
the Youth Services Division provides lists of selected Internet
sites on the Library's Kids and Teens web pages. These sites are
chosen by Library staff in an effort to help meet the anticipated
educational, recreational, or informational needs of children,
teens, parents, and teachers.
While offering a wealth of valuable learning and entertainment resources, the Internet is a vast and rapidly changing medium. The content or purpose of sites can change suddenly and without notice. In an effort to provide quality information for those using our web pages, the Youth Services staff has established a policy for reviewing its selected sites on a regular basis. Staff cannot, however, be held responsible for changes in the content of any Internet sites, including those we select. In addition, staff recommendations apply only to the sites directly linked to the Kids and Teens pages and not to external links from those sites.
Selection plan: The guidelines used when selecting sites are listed in the Great Web Sites for Kids Selection Criteria developed by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). The criteria address the topics of authorship or sponsorship, purpose, design and stability, and content. The review sources used when selecting new sites include Internet-based review sources such as The Librarian's Index to the Internet (LII), Surfnet Kids Newsletter, and WebFeet, the journals and tools listed in the Introduction to the Youth Services Collection Development Policy, and other miscellaneous sources such as school newsletters. Suggestions from patrons and staff are accepted for review.
Retention and weeding: Links on the Youth Services web pages are checked every four months. Address changes are corrected and links to sites that no longer exist are removed. A site will also be removed if its content no longer meets our guidelines.
Electronic
Resources
Collection overview: Electronic Resources are computer-based
resources available online through the Library. Most of the electronic
resources are subscription databases. Many are part of ELM: the
Electronic Library for Minnesota, and are paid for by the State
of Minnesota. Friends of the Duluth Public Library, the Gates
Foundation, and the City of Duluth provide others. Several of
the databases, such as How do I Contact? and Biography Clipping
File Index, were developed and are maintained by the Duluth Public
Library staff.
A special collection of these databases has been selected by the Youth Services staff for use by children and teens and is available on the Library's Databases for Kids and Teens web page. These resources are intended for use by students in grades K-12.
Selection plan: The databases selected for the Databases for Kids and Teens page are chosen from the broader list of Electronic Resources for their anticipated use as informational or educational resources. Content, search features and overall ease of use should be appropriate for students in grades K-12. Grade or age-level indicators should be available when appropriate, as with the Infotrac magazine indexes Kids Infobits, Junior Edition, and Senior Edition. Resources with full-text information are preferred over those that offer only abstracts or citations, especially when intended for use by younger students. Other factors that are considered include authority and reputation of the author or publisher, currency, and frequency of updates. Databases are preferred that have a typeface that is legible for low-vision students and an overall design that will not intimidate youth.
Retention and weeding: Retention of many of the Electronic Resources linked to the Databases for Kids and Teens page depends primarily on the outcome of the selection and review activities of the statewide ELM committee. Any weeding that occurs would be the result of a change in focus, design, or ease of use that would make it inappropriate for use by K-12 students. Databases may also be dropped due to cost.
Adopted January 25,
2005
Duluth Public Library Board
Juv & YA rev. 8/06 (incl. YA SF)
