In thinking about selection and deselection of reference materials:

I really like the idea of keeping a wish list of materials to purchase in the event of unexpected funding, though I think the items on it should be prioritized (e.g. by how many people have been asking for it, how it fits into the curriculum, how well it would replace or enhance other materials, etc.)

In terms of selecting resources, I do not have my “own” library to compare to the standards presented in our textbook, and have not had an opportunity to use selection tools to choose resources, but I think that the number of items in a collection is less important than the quality of those items. It is better to have a smaller collection of current, appealing materials backed up by electronic resources, because outdated materials may lead students to associate the library with a stuffy, outdated, boring place to be avoided.

I question the practicality of storing periodicals for the recommended 5 year period due to space constraints. You’d also have to make sure students knew about availability of back issues. Lastly, periodicals may not last 5 years if they are heavily circulated!

I rarely see non-print resources such a sound recording, posters, etc. used or circulated. I do see cabinets that store these materials, but I doubt many people know what is in them.

Intellectual accessibility: In my experience, most libraries contain of materials suitable for a range of abilities and language levels (i.e. intellectual accessibility seems adequate). For example, high schools have easier reader books for ESL students, and even some picture books. Many schools also have materials in other languages, as well as materials for parents.

All catalogues that I know of are now automated, and catalogues can be accessed from home, although the Burnaby schools were not all automated until 2 or 3 years ago. Yes, believe it or not, many of the elementary schools were still using card catalogues! I’ve seen some school libraries that allow students to place holds from home as well as post book reviews.

I do not have much experience with deselection, but was once asked to begin a preliminary weeding of nonfiction books, with the deselection criteria mainly being the age of the book, how recently it was last used, and whether it looked visually appealing. Made sense to me. It’s kind of like a clothes closet – if you haven’t worn it in the past year or two, how likely is is that you will ever wear it again, and should it be taking up valuable real estate? (Note to self: Apply this criteria to own closet!)