COLLECTION DEVELOPMENT POLICY
School Library
1. Introduction
The school library plays an essential role in supporting teaching, learning, and
the development of information literacy among students. The purpose of this
Collection Development Policy is to provide guidelines for the selection,
acquisition, evaluation, and maintenance of library resources.
This policy ensures that the library collection remains relevant, balanced, and
responsive to the educational needs of students, teachers, and the school
community.
2. Purpose of the Collection
The library collection is developed to:
Support the school curriculum and learning programs
Encourage reading for pleasure and lifelong learning
Provide access to reliable and diverse sources of information
Support inquiry, research, and critical thinking skills
Promote global awareness and cultural understanding
3. Scope of the Collection
The school library collection includes materials in various formats, such as:
Fiction books
Non-fiction books
Reference materials (dictionaries, encyclopedias, atlases)
Periodicals and magazines
Digital resources (e-books, databases, educational websites)
Multimedia resources (audio, video, interactive media)
The collection aims to provide a balanced representation of different
perspectives, cultures, and ideas.
4. Selection Criteria
Library materials are selected based on the following criteria:
1. Relevance to the school curriculum and educational programs
2. Suitability for the age and reading level of students
3. Accuracy and reliability of information
4. Authority and reputation of the author or publisher
5. Quality of content, writing, and presentation
6. Diversity of viewpoints and perspectives
7. Student and teacher needs and interests
8. Format and physical durability
Recommendations for new materials may come from teachers, students,
librarians, or school administrators.
5. Acquisition Methods
Library materials may be acquired through several methods:
1. Purchase
Materials purchased using the school library budget.
2. Donations
The library may accept donated materials provided they meet the selection
criteria and support the needs of the library collection.
3. Institutional partnerships
Collaboration with educational institutions, publishers, or organizations.
4. Digital subscriptions
Access to e-books, online journals, and academic databases.
6. Collection Balance
The library aims to maintain a balanced collection that supports both academic
and recreational reading.
A general guideline for collection balance includes:
Approximately 60% informational/non-fiction resources
Approximately 40% fiction and recreational reading materials
The collection should reflect a diversity of cultures, languages, and perspectives.
7. Evaluation of the Collection
The library collection is reviewed periodically to ensure its continued relevance
and effectiveness.
Evaluation methods include:
Analysis of circulation statistics
Feedback from students and teachers
Alignment with the current curriculum
Physical condition of materials
Currency of information
8. Weeding (Deselection)
Weeding is the process of removing materials that are no longer suitable for the
collection.
Materials may be removed if they are:
outdated or inaccurate
damaged beyond repair
no longer relevant to the curriculum
rarely used by library users
Deselected materials may be repaired, donated, recycled, or removed from the
inventory according to school policy.
9. Maintenance and Preservation
To ensure long-term use, library materials are maintained through:
protective covering of books
regular shelf organization
environmental control (clean, dry storage)
repair of damaged materials when possible
Library materials are cataloged and organized using a standard classification
system such as the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC).
10. Policy Review
This Collection Development Policy will be reviewed periodically to ensure it
remains aligned with the school’s educational goals and library standards.
Approved by
Principal
Name:
Date:
School Librarian
Name:
Date: