There's Something to Be Said for Central Selection

I've met librarians from across the country whose libraries approach collection development from a myriad of directions. In my library, we have both central selection and branch-level selection.

Currently, due to both procedural and staff changes, I'm selecting for three branches as well as serving as a central selector.

I love my duties as a central selector. I ask for suggestions from my colleagues. I peruse the selection and review material. I rarely have trouble spending my budget. That said, as a central selector, I have specific guidelines that I must follow, and I'm generally only choosing paperback fiction. I have a wide selection within a narrow topic.

I also greatly appreciate the opportunity to select materials that are specific to my demographic. Having a healthy budget for my branch means that I can respond directly to the shifting needs in my community. Need more urban fiction? Okay, I'll find some new titles. Middle school science fair coming up? Alrightee, I've got it covered. A flexible branch budget provides nearly infinite opportunities to address the unique requirements of my branch.

Still, selecting for three branches on top of completing central selection is exhausting. It's a bit more exhausting this month as we had the added responsibility of buying our prize books for the summer reading program.

So, to reiterate: I really appreciate that I work in a library system that embraces both modes of collection development. I receive books selected by another central selector that I may never have thought of purchasing -- especially in the graphic novel area -- that are amazing choices. I'm glad that I'm not the only one buying books for my branch.

After completing two big orders for three branches and a central order for eight branches, however, I'm a bit loopy. I've read so many reviews, looked at so many covers and typed so many ISBNs in the past two weeks that I'm mildly convinced every single YA book is about the same exact thing and written by one author using 99 pseudonyms.

So, forgive the loopiness for now. Soon, I'll dive back into finishing Libba Bray's Gemma Doyle Trilogy. After I finish this series and know all there is to know about the Realms, the Order and the Rakshana, I predict I'll be refreshed and ready, once again, to conquer the glorious wealth of books available for YAs these days.

Sources on Urban Literature

I've dipped my toe into the world of buying urban/street lit for my library's YA collection, and now it's time to dive in all the way.

I'm going to make use of my blog (well, it is my blog, after all) as a repository for sources on YA "appropriate" street lit. For now, a lot of this information is coming from Teen Librarian, but I'm trying to pull together some other resources as well. If you have any recommendations, please let me know!

More Books Like the Coldest Winter Ever

Library Success Wiki

Street Fiction for Teens

Hennepin County Library

Young Diamond Books (Street Lit for Teens)

Bluford Series

(that's what I've found as of 12/3/2007)

The teen librarians at my library are currently having a discussion about street lit. Well, I started the discussion, because I am responsible for selecting paperback fiction for all of our branches. Several librarians have requested street lit for their teen sections. The selection of "actual" teen literature that qualifies as street lit is limited, and many of these titles are more suited for the adult side.

At least, that's my perspective.

I'm doing the research. I'm finding the titles. But I am also wondering whether or not it is a wise idea to go out and create a brand new collection of books simply because someone asks for it. I'm sure there are people who would like to see Playboy on our shelves, too, but we don't stock that. Some of these street lit titles are even categorized as "erotica." I am having trouble stomaching the thought of placing "erotica" on the shelves next to Princess Diaries. It's a challenging walking the line between the grey censorship of collection development and true censorship.

I'm on the side of purchasing the most teen "appropriate" street lit and letting the adult selectors pick up the other titles.

But I'm willing to hear other opinions.

What do other YA Librarians out there think about this?