1. How the subject has extended your knowledge and understanding of the role and nature of school library collections?
School libraries encompass multiple forms of information. The movement away from print resources towards digital resources has seen a shift both positive and negative within the library collection (McMaster, 2019, Forum 1.1). The teacher librarian curates more than books, responsibility extends to the curating of print resources such as DVDs, journals and other “hardcopy” resources and digital resources such as eBooks, audio books, websites and other resources contained on the school network or online. Utilising collection management workflows allows for Teacher Librarians to formulate collections that can contribute to the current and future learning of students (McMaster, 2019, [Blog] Library collections and management processes). Libraries need to be able to adapt to the requirements of their users. Providing the preferred method of access for users as well as ensuring alternates for future desires ensures the collection into the future. In Forum 1.1 (2019) discussions on Shatzkin’s work suggested the increase in audio books and reduction of book publishing had negatively impacted on student literacy, the library has a crucial role in working with students to improve literacy skills. Libraries have the opportunity to engage students in reading and literacy programs to improve their learning. Libraries responsibilities in selecting appropriate resources for students can have a positive impact regardless of the format (print or digital) (McMaster, 2019, Forum 1.1).
2. The importance of a collection development policy as a strategic document.
The collection development policy provides a method of future proofing the library collection and provides strategies to achieve this. Utilising the procedures outlined by ALIA (2017), the Teacher Librarian can establish actions and outcomes that support student learning, adhere to IFLA (2015) recommendations and create professional policies. The use of a collection development policy ensures a variety of resources are available for the support of student learning, which is critically important. Collection development policies allow for the implementation of strategies to assist in the collation of resources (McMaster, 2019, Forum 3.2). Review sites such as goodreads can be incorporated into the policy as a source of recommendation for collection resources (McMaster, 2019, Forum 2.6). The linking to acquisition options within the collection development policy provides a structure for the teacher librarian to follow consistent analysis prior to purchase occurs. The collection development policy also provides a series of strategies for managing resources. Further reading reveals that the collection development policies outline the responsibilities of the teacher librarian in relation to acquisition and management (McMaster, 2019, Forum 2.2). Resource selection criteria provides teacher librarians with a method of choosing resources which will support student learning and be accommodated within the budget (McMaster, 2019, Forum 2.2). The collection development policy provides the library with a strategic method of analysing the collection through both quantitative and qualitative methods to ensure gaps in resourcing are filled (McMaster, 2019, Forum 5.1). Without a comprehensive collection development policy the library can not effectively contribute to student learning through resourcing the curriculum and areas of interest.
3. How a collection development policy assists in future proofing the collection
In producing a collection development policy which is intuitive and evolves throughout its use, the teacher librarian ensures that the policy provides a method of creating a future proof school. The collection development policy which is future proofed will take into account not only the current budget but also the budget of the future when adding resources to the collection (McMaster, 2019 April, [Blog] Situations managing the budget). The library collection requires a variety of resources in both print and digital mediums to account for the different learning methods of students and provide resources for students in the future (ALIA, 2017, p. 10). The teacher librarian is responsible for ensuring the future of the library and this can be done effectively by collaborating with teachers to understand their needs or requirements and the needs of their students (McMaster, 2019 April, [Blog] Situations managing the budget). By collaborating with teachers, the teacher librarian ensures that the resources that are part of the collection or added to the collection can be utilised for student learning regularly. It is of critical importance that teacher librarians remain up to date with planning, assessment and evaluations of the collection. This process can be structured with regular reviews of specific areas of the library collection or organically as issues or resources are discovered. The collection development policy outlines the structure of assessing and evaluating resources held as part of the library collection. Reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of the policy further assists in ensuring the future of the library collection as procedures are able to be regularly modified and refreshed.