OBJECTIVE 10

Educational Leader

ARTIFACT: Six Elements of Collection Development

REFLECTION:

 

As an educational leader, the LMS is responsible for providing the community with an unbiased, objective collection that is stimulating, learning oriented, and age appropriate.  The LMS must support the needs of the community as well as the direct needs of the students and staff.

This is a daunting task.

The Six Elements of Collection Development essay is an example of one method for the LMS to provide educational leadership. This artifact emphasizes the importance of creating a development plan that reflects a thorough understanding of how the library media program connects with current trends in education and librarianship. In order to develop, maintain and improve upon a school library media program, the LMS must be aware of the importance of the six elements of collection development and how to implement each portion. These elements of collection development are: community analysis, policies, selection, acquisition, weeding, and evaluation. Each of these elements connect the LMS with the educational community. If the collection is to be of value, staying on top of current trends in education and the community is imperative. Diversity and curriculum changes must be analyzed. Policies must be realistic and accessible. Selection criteria must be valid and age-appropriate. Acquiring materials that support the needs of the community in a timely and efficient manner requires planning and preparation. Providing to the staff and students materials that are up to date and of quality will only improve the circulation of materials and the image of the school library media program. The media center is the pumping heart of education and information. As an educational leader, the LMS must support the educational flow.

 

 

© 2004 McDaniel College and Stephanie Greene
McDaniel College