Deeper Learning Leads to Deeper Analysis

Theme 3 of the course looked more closely at how to evaluate different types of reference resources. The library collection has always been a source of pride at my school, based on the wide range of diverse books in multiple languages. However, this course, and Theme 3 in particular, has caused me to really pause and critically evaluate our resources. After reading Asselin’s guidelines on what makes an exemplary or even acceptable collection, I realised many of its strengths do not apply to our non-fiction collection. Although we have a large selection of non-fiction books that meet curricular needs or are of high interest to students (Riedling, BC Ministry of Education), I have not kept up with weeding out books that are old or in poor condition and I now know I didn’t have strong criteria for choosing new resources.

Data collected from a recent Titlewave Analysis

When I consider our reference books in particular, I think this is an area that needs to be strengthened. Encyclopaedias, fact books and yearbooks are highly popular with our students in all areas of the non-fiction collection, but I rarely purchase these types of books so we are left with shelves of old, worn out books. However, perhaps these are only popular because of the lack of other options. Many younger students cannot fully access online resources efficiently (Riedling 25), and they still prefer to hold a physical book in their hands, so we need to ensure these books are current, relevant and accurate (Riedling, Oxley, Asselin).

“It is better to have a small but relevant and up-to-date collection of materials than a large collection that is neither useful or of good quality.”  (Riedling, 25)

Collection Development Moving Forward

In the past, I would search for books in Follett Titlewave and if there were no reviews attached to it, I would look for reviews in Goodreads or on Amazon and try to find images of some pages. Any books that sounded interesting would go in my basket. Now I am now much more aware of the different types of reference resources that are available and am attempting to add these to the collection, making a concerted effort to use the criteria that Riedling has listed in her book for each type of material as I do so.

• I focus on books that have been published in the last five years
• I am more aware of key publishers or known authors to ensure they have authority and therefore more relevance/accuracy 
• I search for reviews from SLJ, Booklist and Kirkus. 
• I only look for books that have been published in the last five years, unless I can see that a book meets all other criteria, is more current than what we have, and I cannot find anything more suitable based on our other criteria.

Image from Silicon Valley International School.

As I wrote this post, I was reminded of lesson 2 and feel I am in the action/reflection part of the inquiry cycle.

While not a perfect system, it has helped me to make more thoughtful choices as I undertake a major task of updating our non-fiction section.

Citations:

Asselin, Marlene, et al. Achieving Information Literacy: Standards for School Library Programs in Canada. Canadian Association for School Libraries, 2006.

British Columbia Ministry of Education. Evaluating, Selecting, and Managing Learning Resources: A Guide. 2002, https://canvas.ubc.ca/courses/115685/files/24511117/download?wrap=1, Accessed April 7 2023.

CLA Voices for School Libraries Network and CLA School Libraries Advisory Committee. Leading Learning: Standards of Practice for School Library Learning Commons in Canada.  Canadian Library Association, 2014.

Oxley, Kristie. “Lesson 3: Building a Reference Collection for Your School Library”. In LIBE 467: Information Services 1. UBC, (2023). https://canvas.ubc.ca/courses/115685/pages/lesson-3-building-a-reference-collection-for-your-school-library?module_item_id=5213145. Accessed  April 7 2023.

Riedling, Ann Marlow, and Cynthia Houston. Reference Skills for the School Librarian: Tools and Tips, 4th ed., Santa Barbara, Libraries Unlimited, an imprint of ABC CLIO, 2019.

“The Inquiry Learning Cycle”. Silicone Valley International School. https://blog.siliconvalleyinternational.org/the-inquiry-learning-cycle\. Accessed  April 9 2023.