The Hughes-Hassell and Mancal Model of selecting resources presents the teacher librarian with a set of yes or no questions in the form of a flowchart to assist them in selecting resources for the library collection. This model does have its benefits however it also has its drawbacks mainly being real life selection is not this straightforward and includes a variety of factors. The list below is a selection model ordered with highest priority to lower priority with more detailed steps to determining if the resource should be a part of the library collection.
- Consider learning needs in collaboration with colleagues; ensure the resource meets learning needs of students and varied learning styles as well as teachers needs
- Consider the context of the learning environment; does it fit the school context, student context, community of school? Is it relevant to the school?
- Consider the policies in place for resource selection; refer to school and government policy for selecting resources and determine if resource follows policies in place.
- Consider if the resource is appropriate and if it is likely to be challenged by stakeholders
- Consider the budgeting of the resource
- Consider the availability of resource; How is the resource used? Where will the resource be sourced from?
- Consider the resource’s format; is it compatible, does the school have the tools to provide the resource?
- Consider the resource’s authority; who produced the resource? Is it from an appropriate source? Has the resource been reviewed by other libraries and librarians?
- Consider the resource’s currency; when was the resource produced? Is it relevant to current learning contexts?
- Consider if the resource is easily managed; is the resource licensed? Is the resource able to be added to databases easily?
