1. Print
a. Youth Fiction [General interest level]
The youth fiction collection is generally designed to meet the recreational reading needs of the elementary school child. This collection includes material for a wide span of reading interests and abilities. Material is usually selected on the basis of reviews. Selection criteria may include such elements as style, characterization, believability of plot, and literary merit. In addition, an effort is made to include all books that have won literary awards. While individual titles of books in popular series may be selected, no attempt is made to include every book in a series. Selection is typically limited to the author's original work. Abridged or adapted material is included only when there is a high level of community interest in a particular title, the book has additional educational or artistic merit, or the edition has received positive reviews.
b. Youth Non-fiction [Advanced interest level]
The youth non-fiction collection consists of material to meet the informational, educational and recreational reading needs of preschool, primary and middle school children. Material is selected to complement rather than support school curriculum and to provide information on subjects of particular interest to school age children. In some areas such as science, technology and geography, the currency of the information is important and new material is regularly selected to reflect changes in these areas. Selection of new material is made on the basis of accuracy, reputation of the author and the general quality of the information. Material presented in a high-interest format is generally preferred. Material on parenting and educational psychology is not included in this collection. Academic books about children’s literature and authors are usually not included; however, practical books about the use of children’s literature in the classroom, library, or home will be acquired.
c. Picture books [Advanced interest level]
The picture book collection consists of titles for all ages in which illustrations are an essential part of the presentation. While many are designed for preschoolers, some are more appropriate for older children. Board books (books with sturdy cardboard pages) are also included for infants and toddlers. The artistic quality of the illustrations, the text of the book and the manner in which the two complement each other are all factors taken into consideration when selecting material for this collection. The construction of the material is an added factor in the selection of picture books. Those with pop-up or pull-tab features or flimsy bindings are generally not selected for circulation because they do not withstand normal library use.
d. Beginning readers [Advanced interest level]
The beginning reader collection is intended to address the reading development needs of new readers. The material included in this collection has simple sentence structure, repetitive language, and a controlled vocabulary. It includes material appropriate for those reading at a preprimer level to a 2.5 reading level. New material is selected on the basis of quality and readability and reflects the interests of first and second graders. It also provides a format appealing to that age group.
e. Youth Language Collection [General interest level]
Fiction, nonfiction, picture books, and nonprint materials entirely or primarily in designated languages most commonly read in the community and requested by Library customers are included. Other languages may be added to satisfy customer interest in their countries and speakers. Selection criteria for English language selection areas are considered for non-English language materials, with an emphasis on the requests and interests of local readers of each language, including students. Materials of interest to teens are included. Popular magazines may also be included. Both material originally written in each language and translations of popular English-language works are selected. New material is added to the collection to replace material which is outdated or no longer used. Bilingual materials are preferred.
f. Youth Graphic Novels [General interest level]
Graphic novels are book-length collections of sequential art containing a single story or a set of interrelated stories. Collections of comic strips are included. Other illustrated books, as well as non-illustrated books featuring superheroes or cartoon characters, are not included.
The Youth Graphic Novel collection consists primarily of fiction designed to meet the recreational reading needs of youth. Main characters are generally children, animals, or similar characters from popular animation. Art must be clear with easy-to-follow placement, and writing must be appropriate for elementary school-aged children. The collection may also include non-fiction and classics in the graphic novel format and illustrated works about graphic novels. The needs of reluctant readers and readers whose first language is not English are considered. Selections are based on professional reviews, customer requests, and the popularity of styles, authors, characters, and series. With limited funds, however, representative titles from many different series are acquired rather than a large number of titles in just a few series. Materials which are not constructed to withstand normal library use and circulation are generally not acquired.
g. Youth Reference [Basic level]
The youth reference collection consists of books selected to support the basic reference needs of children through high school. This includes material designed to answer homework questions as well as special interest questions. The collection also includes material used to provide information to interested adults on children's and young adult literature. Material is selected on the basis of accuracy, clarity, organization, and ease of use by staff and customers. In the areas where currency is an important consideration, new material is selected regularly to replace outdated information or standing orders are maintained. Information which is more accessible, accurate, cost-effective, or up-to-date in electronic sources may be excluded from the print collection (see section X.D.4 below).
h. Youth magazines [Basic level]
The youth magazine collection is a browsing collection, consisting of a sample of recommended periodicals for children of all ages. Special interest magazines are usually not considered unless there is no information on the subject in the book collection. A small number of magazines with activities for children and child care providers are included to supplement the non-fiction collection. Popular non-English titles may be included in the Youth Language Collection. Magazines in this collection are displayed for a limited time for browsing and checkout. Only a few magazines with continuing reference value are eventually restricted to use in the Library only and retained as long as needed. Retention for reference purposes is more likely if the magazine is indexed, but the full content is not available in Library periodical databases. Retention is less likely if the magazine is not indexed or the full content is available in Library periodical databases.
i. Youth Ephemera
i. Paperbacks [General interest level]
The youth paperback collection primarily consists of fiction by popular authors. Customer demand is an important consideration in the selection of material for this collection and titles in high demand are usually included. While books in popular series are included in this collection, no attempt is made to collect and retain every book in a series.
ii. Pamphlets [Basic interest]
The Youth Services information vertical file contains a collection of magazine articles and pamphlets providing needed information not found in electronic sources or other library resources. It is designed to supplement the book collection with hard-to-find information. Material is generally not purchased for this file.
2. Non-print
a. Youth compact discs and audiocassettes
i. Spoken word [General interest level]
The youth spoken word collection consists of a limited number of audiobooks. Material that encourages independent reading or an appreciation for literature is preferred for this collection. The quality of the recording and the quality of the literature are both important factors in the selection of spoken word materials. Most titles are purchased in CD format. Audiocassettes may be selected based on anticipated use, demand, availability and cost.
ii. Music [Advanced interest level]
The youth music collection includes the best new works for young people and their families. "Top 40" music which is popular with both children and adults is not included in this collection. Audiocassettes are no longer purchased and may be eliminated based on customer demand. CD singles are generally not acquired.
b. Youth DVDs and videocassettes [General interest level]
The collection consists of a mix of educational and entertainment programs in DVD and/or VHS format. The collection is intended for home use and not for curriculum support. Cost is considered when evaluating materials for this collection and individual titles over $100 are usually not acquired. Performance rights are a positive factor in selection decisions but are not purchased separately. Most titles are purchased in DVD format. VHS videocassettes may be selected based on anticipated use, demand, availability and cost.
i. Entertainment
The primary focus of this collection is on films which have adapted children's literature for the screen in award-winning fashion. The quality of the production and of the literature are both important selection criteria. Award-winning films and films of particular interest to the community which are not related to children's literature are also included.
ii. Educational
The educational DVD/video collection consists of material designed to meet children's general information, educational, and leisure interest needs. Special emphasis is placed on subjects that can best be conveyed visually, rather than by the printed word.
c. Youth Book/Recording Kits [Basic level]
Books including a CD or cassettes with spoken or sung contents have been acquired for a separate collection, including some of the best of children's literature, picture books illustrating songs, songbooks, and educational materials that teach through song. As a result of changes in customer preferences and packaging, titles with an audio CD packaged in a book will be purchased for the picture book or nonfiction collections rather than the kit collection. Lost or damaged kits will be replaced in the newer format as needed. Book/CD combinations with inadequate binding may be considered for the kit collection. Selection criteria include recording and literature quality, community interest, and the appropriateness of the topic to audio format. Novels with multiple chapters are generally not selected. Only titles with one book and one recording are included.
