Collection Development

Objectives of the Selection Process 

The responsibility for the selection of instructional materials rests with the certified school library media specialist. The selection of media is a continuous and cooperative process involving administrators, staff, students and parents. The primary objective of instructional materials and equipment shall be to enrich, support, and implement the educational program of the school. As the center of the educational program, the LMC provides materials and services that meet academic, technical, personal, and social needs of the school community. 

To this end, the School Board of Brevard County subscribes to the principles laid down in the Library Bill of Rights and affirms that it is the responsibility of the school library media center to support these principles.

The Objectives for Selection are: 

• To make available a wide range of materials on varying levels of difficulty with a diversity of appeal compatible with the different needs, interests, and viewpoints of students and teachers. 

• To provide materials which strengthen and enrich the school’s instructional program. 

• To provide materials that will stimulate growth in literary appreciation, aesthetic values, and ethical standards. 

• To provide materials representative of the many religious, ethnic, cultural, and language groups, and of their contribution to the heritage and culture of America and the world. 

• To place principle above personal opinion and reason above prejudice in the selection of materials appropriate for the users of the school library media center. 

NOTE: The district does not maintain a list of approved books or videos. Rather, the objectives and criteria for selection should guide the certified library media specialist in collection development for each school. 

Criteria for Selection 

Materials considered for purchase are selected based on the following criteria: 

• Favorable review in a reputable, unbiased, professionally prepared selection aid. 

• Overall purpose and need in relation to the curriculum. 

• Educational significance. 

• Quality of writing and production. 

• Readability and user appeal. 

• Reputation of the publisher/producer, author/artist, etc.

• Check the Department of Education published list of materials that were removed or discontinued as a result of an objection

• Valid, accurate, objective, up-to-date, and appropriate information.

• Survey stakeholders- teachers, students, parents administration

• Book List is shared with stakeholders, School Advisory Committee, for input. 

• Book selection meets the selection criteria in section(s) 1006.40 (3)(d)

Areas that Require Special Consideration 

• Religion – factual media which represents all major religions. 

• Ideologies – factual information or philosophy which exerts a strong force in society. • Sex Education – factual information appropriate for the age group or related to the school curriculum. (Reference Florida School Code 1006.34(2)(b) Standards for Selection) • Science – factual information about medical and scientific knowledge. 

• Profanity – use of profanity does not automatically disqualify a selection. Effort is made to exclude media using profanity in a lewd or detrimental manner. 

• Sex – pornographic, sensational, or titillating material is not included, but the evidence of sexual incidents appearing in the media does not automatically disqualify its use. (Reference Florida School Code 1006.34(2)(b) Standards for Selection) 

• Effort should be made to keep the media current, comprehensive, and include media that reflects rapidly developing instructional technologies. 

Selection Aids 

Selection aids are available on the web and through the Media Resource Teacher. They include, but are not limited to: 

• Follett’s Titlewave, Mackin or other jobbers 

• Booklist 

• Hornbook 

• Kirkus 

• Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books 

• School Library Journal