Using the Internet for Collection Development

Think of the Web as a giant catalog of books and audio-visual materials for your library. Now think of having to go page by page through that giant catalog looking for specific products or subjects because there is no index. The product ideas are out there, but finding them is not easy. The AASL and bookstore sites contain reviews for books and CD-ROMs. Here is a small sampling of Web sites that market products and provide collection development resources for libraries. If you find additional resources, please let Barbara Jansen know so she can add them to our list.

Acquisitions, Serials, and Collection Development Internet Library for Librarians.
Created by Vianne Tang Sha. Published by InfoWorks Technology Company.

Collection Development American Association of School Librarians.

Amazon.com A good place to find books, CDs, videos, and read reviews. Has an out-of-print search service.
Follett's Titlewave You must register, but it's free. Follett Library Resources database. Easy to search.

Powell's City of Books Amazon isn't the only place to find good books! Check out their lists and reviews. Rare and used books included.
Educational Resouces Search for CD-ROMs and other software and hardware for your library.
Children's Software Review
SuperKids: Educational software review
The PEP site is an informational resource for Parents, Educators, and children's software Publishers.
CD-ROM Evaluation Richland College Library
MultiMedia Schools Product Reviews in Brief

Weeding your collection

The CREW Method Expanded guidelines for collection evaluation and weeding

Compiled by Barbara A. Jansen, 8/05/01.

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