The Children’s and YA collections support current students preparing to be educators in K – 12 schools and students learning English as a second language.
Factors to consider in collection development include:
- Annual award winners
- Reviews in literature journals such as Booklist, School Library Journal, and Horn Book.
- Faculty recommendations
- Notable authors and illustrators
- Support for curricular objectives
- Ethnic diversity
- Titles of local interest
Award Categories
The library collects winners in the following award categories. If the budget allows, the library also collects Honor Books in these categories.
Newbery – The Newbery Medal honors the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
Caldecott – The Caldecott Medal honors the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
Coretta Scott King (Author, Illustrator, and John Steptoe Award for New Talent: 3 separate awards) – The Coretta Scott King Book Awards annually recognize outstanding books for young adults and children by African American authors and illustrators that reflect the African American experience.
Michael L. Printz – The Michael L. Printz Award honors the book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature.
Pura Belpré – The Pura Belpré Award honors a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose works best portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.
Robert F. Sibert – The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal honors the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published during the preceding year.
