When books are selected for the library, there are directions the librarian follows. These directions are listed below.
- Make sure selections are 80% print and 20% eBooks.
- Check book lists and awards for selections. Suggested book lists and awards are ALSC Notable Children's Books, School Library Journal's Best of List, Newbery Medal, Caldecott Medal, Coretta Scott King Award, Pura Belpre Award, Geisel Award, Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, and Outstanding Science Trade Books for Young People.
- Find two positive reviews for each item. Suggested review sources are Titlewave, Booklist, Book Links, Book Report, Horn Book, School Library Journal, Teacher Librarian, and Kirkus.
- Check long-range planners, BCPSOne Unit Overviews, and curriculum maps for curriculum connections in selected materials.
- Pay close attention the age appropriateness of the item.
- Do not select Young Adult novels for the elementary level.
- Ask students and teachers for recommendations. For students, create a suggestion box to submit requests. Create a form that is paper or online to be used for submission that includes requests for titles, books by a specific author or in a series, and for certain topics. For teachers, email them to ask about topics that would support units they teach. A request form will also be available online. Requests need to meet the selection criteria.
Information on this page was taken and/or adapted from Baltimore County Public Schools Librarians Resource-PD Wiki and Baltimore County's Selection Criteria for School Library Media Center Collections.
Works Cited
"Reviews, Book Lists, and Awards." BCPS Librarians Resource-PD Wiki, Baltimore County Public Schools,
bcpslis.pbworks.com/w/page/121696413/Reviews%2C%20Book%20Lists%20and%20Awards. Accessed 11 Jul. 2018.
Selection Criteria for School Library Media Center Collections. Baltimore County Public Schools, lsteml1.pbworks.com/f/BCPS+collection+policy.pdf. Accessed 11 Jul. 2018.
"Selection Policies and Guidelines." BCPS Librarians Resource-PD Wiki, Baltimore County Public Schools,
bcpslis.pbworks.com/w/page/121695948/Selection%20Policies%20and%20Guidelines. Accessed 11 Jul. 2018.
bcpslis.pbworks.com/w/page/121696413/Reviews%2C%20Book%20Lists%20and%20Awards. Accessed 11 Jul. 2018.
Selection Criteria for School Library Media Center Collections. Baltimore County Public Schools, lsteml1.pbworks.com/f/BCPS+collection+policy.pdf. Accessed 11 Jul. 2018.
"Selection Policies and Guidelines." BCPS Librarians Resource-PD Wiki, Baltimore County Public Schools,
bcpslis.pbworks.com/w/page/121695948/Selection%20Policies%20and%20Guidelines. Accessed 11 Jul. 2018.