Collection Development

Collection development for early childhood often involves a wider variety of items than other departments of the library. Board books, a wide variety of picture books, beginning reader titles, toys, and take-home kits can help engage our youngest patrons, support parents in developing their child’s early literacy skills, and offer access to movies, music, or other resources that could be cost-prohibitive. These items are intended to be heavily touched, mouthed, and used, so they should be closely watched for wear and need for replacement.

As explored in the Overview Course, selecting titles that come from a variety of cultures and experiences allows families and children to recognize themselves in the books they read, and offers a window into different ways of life. 

Key Components

• Board books and tactile books should be kept where caregivers can select them easily and where little hands can reach. Grouping these heavily-used titles together allows caregivers to reach several at a time and makes them accessible to our littlest patrons.
• Picture books can be shelved, of course, but setting several titles out on display makes it easier for them to be appreciated and more likely to be shared.
• Early/Beginning readers help caregivers introduce decoding skills and sight words with pre-reading children.
• Folk and fairy tales from all cultures share similar elements: moral dilemmas, problem solving and good vs. evil.
• Nursery rhymes prepare children for playing with rhyme, phonics, and understanding sounds and meanings.

Please refer to the Workbook for an outline of questions you can use to analyze your current collection, and help you think about what materials to acquire in the future.

NEXT: Complete the Collection Development Reflection.