Term 3 rolls around quickly in a secondary school. The subject choices for next year are cemented, the faculty heads are busily revamping their areas. It’s time to research text books for the coming year. Is there a new version available? Can we get a copy brought in to peruse for suitability?  Are there other unexplored options? A teacher librarian (TL) needs to be a steward of these endeavours. Reviewing facilities suggestions and weighing then up against other texts they may have no knowledge of. Giving the teachers options.

Non-fiction and fiction books, well that’s more fun. The best day every month is the arrival of the Lamont standing order and the catalogues from our various suppliers. Perusing these books, I work alongside our acquisitions officer, determining what readers the books will suit. Is the book one our students have requested? Is the author one our students respond too? Is it part of a series? What is its target age group? What numbers do we currently have of books in that genre? Do we need more? So many questions to ask ourselves as we browse the books. We discuss our choices with each other, involving the other TLs where necessary.  If it’s one that has been suggested, we generally purchase on release – as long as its age appropriate. Being  a Catholic school, there are some areas we stay away from, mainly dark magic, witch craft, vampires etc.