Selection Criteria Chapter 9

Selection Materials judged within framework of a given criteria Materials judged within framework of a given criteria Relate to goals and the collection Relate to goals and the collection Content Content How is information presented? How is information presented? Does medium provide reasonable representation? Does medium provide reasonable representation?

Authority Qualifications Qualifications Abilities Abilities Acceptance/reviews of other works Acceptance/reviews of other works Publisher reputation Publisher reputation

Appropriate content Intended use Intended use Audience age/maturity level Audience age/maturity level Fairly presented Fairly presented Not condescending Not condescending Within capacity of user’s understanding Within capacity of user’s understanding

Scope Depth of topic coverage Depth of topic coverage Examine introduction, table of contents, or other documentation Examine introduction, table of contents, or other documentation If duplicates content in collection, is different perspective evident? If duplicates content in collection, is different perspective evident?

Accuracy Current Current Opinions distinguished from facts Opinions distinguished from facts Subject area specialist can assist in judging accuracy Subject area specialist can assist in judging accuracy

Treatment Captures and holds user attention Captures and holds user attention Visuals support topic understanding and enhance it Visuals support topic understanding and enhance it Free of bias/stereotypes Free of bias/stereotypes Information accessible to those with physical limitations Information accessible to those with physical limitations

Treatment Electronic materials Electronic materials Easy navigation Easy navigation Prompts and help pages clear Prompts and help pages clear Program lengths (class times) Program lengths (class times)

Arrangement & Organization Sequence/development of ideas Sequence/development of ideas Proceeds logically Proceeds logically Influences comprehension Influences comprehension Information arranged chronologically may cause problems for some Information arranged chronologically may cause problems for some

Other content issues Literary merit Literary merit See checklist on pg. 136 See checklist on pg. 136 Information durability Information durability Rapid changing subjects, less expensive formats may be preferred Rapid changing subjects, less expensive formats may be preferred Instructional materials Instructional materials See checklist on pg. 137 See checklist on pg. 137

Value to collection Meets the needs of school program Meets the needs of school program Serves more than one purpose Serves more than one purpose Likely users identified Likely users identified Often used Often used Used for instructional or recreational purposes Used for instructional or recreational purposes

Other considerations Series Series Is complete series needed? Is complete series needed? Same author for each work? Same author for each work? Fit curriculum? Fit curriculum? Sponsored materials Sponsored materials Sometimes free Sometimes free Sometimes contain bias Sometimes contain bias

Physical form Must also evaluate the information package Must also evaluate the information package Presented through appropriate medium Presented through appropriate medium

Technical Quality Physical characteristics Physical characteristics See checklist on pg. 140 See checklist on pg. 140 Aesthetic quality Aesthetic quality Material is pleasing to the eye Material is pleasing to the eye Color coordination easy to read/comprehend Color coordination easy to read/comprehend Materials are safe and can be cleaned Materials are safe and can be cleaned

Other considerations Book vs. video/DVD Book vs. video/DVD Video vs. maps Video vs. maps Personal preferences of clients Personal preferences of clients Electronic access more motivational? Electronic access more motivational?

Equipment Negative impact on program if item not purchased? Negative impact on program if item not purchased? Will teachers be able to use equipment Will teachers be able to use equipment If appropriate for only one teacher and class, is purchase justified? If appropriate for only one teacher and class, is purchase justified? Alternative plan (equipment rental?) Alternative plan (equipment rental?)

Equipment See Ease of use checklist, pg See Ease of use checklist, pg Performance Performance Operates efficiently (i.e. projectors are bright enough for room applications) Operates efficiently (i.e. projectors are bright enough for room applications) Sound is adequate Sound is adequate Compatible Compatible Works well with other materials in collection Works well with other materials in collection Versatile Versatile

Maintenance/Service Dealer reliability Dealer reliability See checklist, pg See checklist, pg from The Collection Program in Schools, by Van Orden and Bishop, 3 rd edition, 2001.

Activity Use one of the following checklists from the text to rate one library item of your choice (book, video, computer program): Use one of the following checklists from the text to rate one library item of your choice (book, video, computer program): Treatment on pg. 135; or Treatment on pg. 135; or Literary merit on pg. 136; or Literary merit on pg. 136; or Technical quality on pg Technical quality on pg. 140.

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