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Nonfiction purchasing

Our district (without asking a TL) has decided to fill the holes in each school's nonfiction collection. Good in theory.... I have been given $2000 to purchase books in three Dewey numbers. The books must have been printed after 2005 and be in the 320 (Political Science), 900 (Geography/History) or 910 (Geography/Travel) sections.

I have no real idea of how to develop a list for these sections, especially since I am actively weeding books that are not useful for a middle school library. Does anyone have any helpful ideas?

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Martha Taylor on October 12, 2007 at 8:17pm

Our district gave each media center $26,000 a few years ago to add to nonfiction in four Dewey ranges: 300, 500, 600, and 900. I used Wilson's Middle and Junior High Core Collection (online) as one resource. I also used our science and social studies standards to search Follett Library Resources and other online vendors to see what was available on certain key subjects/topics that are frequently "assigned" at my school.

Best wishes!
Martha Taylor
McCants Middle School
Anderson SC

Permalink Reply by Sandy Rowland on November 30, 2007 at 12:02am

Do you use Follett Titlewave to order books? It's collection development search is very specific, you can search for the exact Dewey range, copyright requirements, and number of positive reviews the books has received. Then, of course, you read the reviews and descriptions and choose from there. But it does an excellent job of bringing forth the titles that match your parameters.

I am sure other jobbers have similar online tools for findiing just the right books. Good luck!
Sandy Rowland
Lewis Middle School
Paso Robles, CA

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