Resources & Training for Public Library Staff

Access the Washington State Library Training Calendar Here

Collection Management Policies

Creating and maintaining a robust collection development plan and collection management policy are key components of any library program. Whether you are revamping an old policy, or creating a new one from scratch, here are some resources to get started.

• Selection and Reconsideration Policy Toolkit for Public, School, & Academic Libraries, American Library Association

Selection

• “Guide for Selecting Anti-Bias Children’s Books” by Louise Derman-Sparks, Teaching For Change
• ALA’s Rainbow Book List is an annual curated bibliography highlighting books with significant LGBTQIA+ content aimed at youth ages birth-18.
• “Criteria for the Selection of Young Adult Queer Literature” by Stephanie R. Logan, Terri A. Lasswell, Yolanda Hood, and Dwight C. Watson, English Journal

Weeding

• “Weeding the Library Collection” from LibraryU, a program of the Illinois State Library and the regional library systems, accessed through WebJunction
• CREW: A Weeding Manual for Modern Libraries 

Evaluating Library Collections

• “Diversity auditing 101: How to evaluate your collection” by Karen Jensen, School Library Journal
• “Diversity Considerations in YA: Doing a Diversity Audit” by Karen Jensen. Outline and sources from the Teen Librarian Toolbox series on diversity audits.
• “The Problem with Picture-Book Monkeys: Racist imagery associating simians with Black people has a long history” by Edith Campbell, School  Library Journal
• Criteria from How to Tell the Difference: A Guide for Evaluating Children’s Books for Anti-Indian Bias by Doris Seale, Beverly Slapin and Rosemary Gonzales

Webinars & Self-Paced Courses

Check out the Washington State Library Training page for more information on upcoming workshops, webinars and the full collection of online training resources including WebJunction and Niche Academy.

• “Weeding the Library Collection” from LibraryU, a program of the Illinois State Library and the regional library systems, accessed through WebJunction
• Project READY: Reimagining Equity & Access for Diverse Youth a free online professional development curriculum developed by the University of North Carolina, Wake County Public School System and North Carolina Central University with funding from IMLS