If you could write just one sentence about...

[Lori Franklin]

If you could write just one sentence about school library collection development for newbies, what would you tell them?

[Cathy Nelson]

Use any of the free analysis tools (I like Titlewave from Follett) and then WEED,WEED,WEED. Don't lament a small budget. Just do it. As your principal and teachers walk through and see many empty shelves, maybe they will get the idea that the library budget just may not be sufficient. It is better to offer QUALITY or quantity any day. Just my two cents in OOPS 5-6 sentences. Sorry Lori.

[Lori Franklin]

Oh yeah, Cathy, weeding is essential, isn't it? I just ran a Titlewise analysis the other day and can't imagine not having this precious information so easily at my fingertips. On my last weeding, I actually found a copy of "I'm Okay, You're Okay." OMG - remember that old chestnut? Well, maybe you are too young to remember.. :)

Lori

[[e-mail]]

It's not YOUR collection; it's your STUDENT'S collection.

(So, OK, it's a compound sentence.)

Doug

[Terri Kirk]

Talk to the staff to see what they need to support their curriculum!

[Amy King]

Put out a survey to your teachers and ask about how they have used the collection in the past. Provide space for them to suggest which areas they would like to see more materials. Zoomerang.com has free surveys that you can create. Then email the link to your staff. The survey information in addition to the Titlewave statistics will help you justify your collection development decisions. Sorry, more than 1 sentence too.

[KellyK]

Thank you Lori for such a thread. Us newbies need all the help we can get!