Juvenile science collections of public libraries

Tracy, Anna

INFO 266, Fall 2016

Juvenile science collections of public libraries

This article posed 6 questions to determine the differences and similarities between three public libraries within the same county but that have varying demographics and locations from a rural, suburban and urban. The proportion of J 500s to overall nonfiction were looked at, as well as the type and caliber of science materials offered at these three different locations. A good portion of this article discusses the importance of nonfiction, not only for school work but for leisure reading and how different libraries do their nonfiction selection and weeding.

I chose this article because it sounded similar to what sections I had chosen for our collection mapping project. Just as I mentioned in my infographic, this article relates the importance of nonfiction science sections to schools and the natural relationship between schools and public libraries in offering a valued service to their community. It suggested a partnership with local science teachers to bridge the gap in knowledge for librarians who, more than likely, do not have a scientific background, to cease any discomfort in lack of knowledge and the ability to order effectively.

Approximately 20% percent of the three libraries nonfiction sections was dedicated to Science. I thought this was interesting considering 20.02% of my nonfiction collection is dedicated to STEAM materials which I consider to be too low, given their high circulating nature.

Colom, H. M. (2010). Juvenile Science Nonfiction: A Comparison of the Collections of a Rural, a Suburban, and an Urban Public Library. Current Studies In Librarianship, 30(1/2), 79-94.