Develop Collections

Developing collections can be a great way to attract and serve diverse, multicultural and multilingual populations. Explore resources to help build collections that reflect the diversity of your community.

Create inclusive collection development policies to help your organization plan for and deliver quality collections that match your diverse community. See successful models and read tips from other libraries.

Our booklists aid development of collections to serve various language groups or specific populations. Find vendors and see lists of recommended multicultural and multilingual materials.

Additional spanish language resources give specific information about building Spanish collections. Bi-lingual resources are included as well as resources in Spanish.

Excellent additional information about building collections and accessibility of collections is found in the read more section. Explore databases, online resources, and facts about multi cultural literary awards.

See book lists, bibliographies and a wealth of resources about collections for various cultures and languages.

Policies & Tips

Booklists

TIP: For booklists, try searching major cities’ library sites and catalogues. They often feature new titles or list foreign language resources.

Additional Spanish-Language Resources

Read More: Develop Collections

  • Resources from New Jersey Libraries
    From 2004 New Jersey conference on diversity, comprehensive list of bibliographies, vendors and collection development information

    http://www.infolink.org/diversity/rgcollections.htm

  • Foreign Language Collection for Libraries (pdf)
    Arapahoe Library District presentation on selecting foreign language materials covers assessment how-to, selection, and cataloguing.

    http://www.cal-webs.org/handouts06/Language.pdf

Read More: Schools

  • “Good Intentions Are Not Enough”
    Article on school use of multicultural and Native American books, including web and book lists. McElmeel, Sharron. ERIC# EJ717581
    Library Media Connection, v23 n3 p30 Nov 2004

    http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/Home.portal?_nfpb=true&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=mcelmeel&searchtype=keyword&ERICExtSearch

    _SearchType_0=au&_pageLabel=RecordDetails&objectId=0900000b8042ea2c&accno=
    EJ717581&_nfls=false

  • OutreachWorld
    “A Resource for Teaching Kids about the World”–ready-to use teaching units, book awards, and world events

    http://www.outreachworld.org/

  • Multicultural Literacy Webliography
    Instructional resources and booklists aimed at teachers and literacy

    http://www.literacy.uconn.edu/multilit.htm

Read More: Electronic & Print Materials

  • Penn State Diversity Resources’ Database Links
    Sample list of diversity databases

    http://meld.tlt.psu.edu/index.jsp

  • Latin American Ejournals
    Electronic journals at Columbia University

    http://www.columbia.edu/cu/lweb/indiv/latam/ejournals.html

  • “The American Experience: Strength from Diversity”
    Annotated bibliography of 28 children’s picture books celebrating diverse cultures in American society from ALA’s Association of Library Services to Children published in Journal of Youth Services in Libraries, v15 n4 p42-43 Sum 2002. ERIC#: EJ657762

    http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/Home.portal?_nfpb=true&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ657762&searchtype=basic&ERICExtSearch_

    SearchType_0=kw&_pageLabel=RecordDetails&objectId=0900019b80156dc6&accno=
    EJ657762&_nfls=false

  • Building Collections: Recognizing and Appreciating Differences
    Article describes 30 children’s books in which the authors illustrate the power of words to change misconceptions about differences into an appreciation of diversity. Krapp, Joanna. School Library Media Activities Monthly v21 n4, p43-44.

    http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/Home.portal?_nfpb=true&ERICExtSearch_SearchValue_0=EJ720705&searchtype=basic&ERICExtSearch_

    SearchType_0=no&_pageLabel=RecordDetails&objectId=0900000b80420bd1&accno=
    EJ720705&_nfls=false

  • International Children’s Digital Library
    Searchable database of online books

    http://www.icdlbooks.org/icdl/SimpleSearchCategory

  • Multicultural Book Reviews
    Reviews listed by ethnicity and a links page for multicultural and educational resources

    http://www.isomedia.com/homes/jmele/joe.html

  • REFORMA Links to Literature
    Booksellers and articles in Spanish and for Spanish-speaking patron services

    http://www.reforma.org/refogold.htm

  • Diversity Inc Online Magazine
    Articles on diversity issues, resource guide and diversity benchmarking

    http://diversityinc.com/