Developing Collections to Empower Learners

"Developing Collections to Empower Learners" examines collection development in the context of today's shifts toward digital resources while emphasizing the foundational beliefs of the school library profession. Writer Sue Kimmel includes practical advice about needs assessment, planning, selection, acquisitions, evaluation, and continuous improvement for collections to support 21st-century standards. Questions are raised about shifting roles of the school librarian and the place of the school library. What should school libraries collect and how can we support the creation and dissemination of knowledge in our communities? Particular emphasis is given to questions about access, equity, and learning in order to ensure that all students will be effective consumers and producers of information and ideas heading into the 22nd-century. The following chapters are included: (1) Knowing Your Customers; (2) Assessing and Approaching Power Brokers; (3) Building Strong Partnerships; (4) Consensus through Managing Complexity; (5) Confidence; (6) Coaching; (7) Humor; (8) Authenticity; and (9) Preparedness. The following are appended: (1) Further Reading; (2) Checklist for a Written Collection Development Plan; (3) Recommended Selection Aids; (4) Publications from AASL; (5) AASL Position Statement on Quantitative Standards; (6) Extended Mission Statement from Empowering Learners; (7) Learning4Life; (8) Index; and (9) Tables and Figures. A Conclusion and Acknowledgements are included