I have a confession to make. I have never worked in a school library or any library for that matter. So the concepts of collection development and collection management seemed overwhelming. I knew it was a mammoth task to keep any library’s physical and digital resources current and relevant. The Teacher Librarian is responsible for developing and managing the growing collection of resources. Pentland (2022) claims, “Collection development is a science and an art that certified school librarians are specifically trained for” (para.1).

It takes qualified and experienced Teacher Librarians to support the information access and management of the school library. However, it is not just the expertise alone that can keep the collection in check.

Teacher Librarians are guided by their understanding of the unique school context, needs of their students and the curriculum framework. With this knowledge, the Teacher Librarian can participate in the constant practice of keeping the school collection alive. After all, the library is not a book warehouse. Instead, it is a vibrant place of learning for the whole school community.

Developing a school library collection is a continual cycle in which the Teacher Librarian actively participates in the “collection of and access to resources that will meet the instructional requirements as well as the cultural and recreational needs of the community” (Pierce College, 2022, p.2).

The perpetual process is not to be confused with a ‘hamster wheel’ approach where it feels like the task of collection development and management is insurmountable. As the collection grows, any new resources added must be thoughtfully selected and evaluated for the needs of the learners within the school community. The Teacher Librarian is first and foremost a teacher; they interpret the learner’s needs against the curriculum framework that guides their learning, curating content and creating suggestions and applications for their school’s teaching and learning programs.

 

References

Pentland, C. [Knowledge Quest] (2022, January 11). The art and science of collection development. Collection Development. https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/the-art-and-science-of-collection-development/

Pierce College. (2022) Library – collection development and materials policy. Pierce College. https://www.pierce.ctc.edu/library-collection-development-policy