Selection of Materials

A number of resources exist to support the professional school librarian with the selection of materials for the school library collection. In addition to being familiar with the tools and resources listed on this page, Library Media Services cannot overstate the necessity for the school librarian to read a wide variety of material in order to be most responsive to the needs of a school and its students. 

WCPSS Board Policy 3200: Selection of Materials

This policy addresses the selection of instructional and supplementary materials. The criteria for selecting school library materials is specifically noted in Policy 3200, part D.

Professional resources

Consult professional review sources when making selection decisions. Reviews from these sources are integrated into library vendor platforms, so no additional subscriptions are required.  Logging into Mackin.com will give you access to all professional reviews in one place.

• Booklist

• Kirkus

• School Library Journal

• School Library Connection

• Horn Book

Utilize the Secondary Book Reviews spreadsheet curated by WCPSS librarians.

Utilize the Elementary School Library Booklists by topic spreadsheet. Read the linked reviews to books that WCPSS librarians have found useful or that have been featured in New & Noteworthy presentations. 

Building a book order

Create book lists that align with the yearly goals outlined in your Collection Management Plan. 

Upload your collection into the vendor platform to check for titles you already own, identify titles missing from a series, etc. 

Follett Titlewise Analysis

Mackin Collection Analysis

Mackin Tag Report

Use the features in the vendor platform to build the best possible lists. 

Library book purchasing

Library Media Services strongly recommends using school library vendors (jobbers) when ordering library books. WCPSS has a bid for library books (bid number 251-21-67) with school library vendors that includes free processing and cataloging of books (some vendors) in addition to other benefits. Book orders take 6-8 weeks to process using school library vendors. The following vendors are included on this bid:

AVANTI ENTERPRISES

BARNES & NOBLE BOOKSTORES (no processing and cataloging services)

CAPSTONE

CENGAGE LEARNING

COMPLETE BOOK & MEDIA SUPPLY

DURA-BRANDS

FOLLETT SCHOOL SOLUTIONS - Commonly used by WCPSS 

JUNIOR LIBRARY GUILD

LAKESHORE LEARNING MATERIALS

MACKIN EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES - Commonly used by WCPSS

PERMA-BOUND BOOKS

THE READING WAREHOUSE

SADDLEBACK EDUCATIONAL

TEXTBOOK WAREHOUSE

WORLD BOOK

Timeline for placing book orders

Book orders need to be placed in alignment with the fiscal calendar (July 1 - June 30). School bookkeepers will be able to help with annual deadlines for placing orders. Book orders need to be placed with enough time for processing (6-8 weeks) and delivery prior to year-end deadlines. Year-end deadlines often fall beginning to mid-May, depending on the funding source. That means you should plan to place books orders prior to mid-March. 

Payment for book orders

Library books are purchased using a specific budget code that aligns with the state budget codes (purpose code 5810/object code 414). Purchasing cards can not be used to purchase library books. Book orders over $2,500 require a Purchase Order. Orders under $2,500 can be invoiced from the vendor and paid using a Direct Payment form.

Processing and cataloging new books

Use our district standards for cataloging and processing to help communicate your specs to vendors: 

• 📘 Cataloging Standards

• 📗 Genrefying Standards

Be sure to verify that the vendor has the correct barcode range on file and that you have that range recorded in Destiny. Email Susan Johnson (sjohnson8) for support with checking on this.