I would definitely build the collection with quality hardback books, especially
those titles that have received awards and those titles that are highly recommended
because those will be used over a long period of time and you'll need the
durability.
For those popular titles that come and go quickly (perhaps series based on popular
TV shows or other "phases of culture"), I would probably purchase paperbacks to see
how your students respond to them and if they continue to be used, replace the worn
paperbacks with hardback titles for longer use.
There are several companies that offer durable paperbacks that have been re-covered
to last longer (PermaBound is one example). These are not quite as expensive as
the library edition hardcovers and they resemble the smaller paperbacks, so this
might be the best alternative to meet the needs of your students as you start to
build your collection.
In addition, while fiction is usually the most frequently used materials in the
library that doesn't mean that all of your non-fiction should be hardback editions.
There are definitely some topics that "come and go" in the non-fiction areas, so
you can also apply the same techniques to those topics that are popular but will
soon become "old news" when it comes to non-fiction / information titles. You can
later decide to replace the paperbacks in non-fiction if the title becomes popular
for research or it becomes a classic.
Regardless of format, be sure to use your collection development tools to select
the best materials available for your students--- Wilson Catalogs, professional
journals, etc.--- these tools will usually ensure that your collection will have
lasting value, regardless of the format.
~Shonda
Shonda Brisco, MLIS
US / Technology Librarian
Fort Worth Country Day School
Fort Worth, TX
sbrisco@fwcds.org
>>> Sarah Woo <semwoo@ALUMNET.SIMMONS.EDU> 08/11/05 9:45 AM >>>
Hello everyone,
I am a newbie starting in a brand new middle school. So far we have 4000
books which are being sent from the high school. Other than that, I need to
build the collection.
I have heard and learned in school that this age doesn't like to check out
hardcovers for their fiction reading. On the other hand, the paperbacks
don't last long and need to be replaced often.
What has been your experience? Would you go with mostly hardcover or mostly
paperback if you were building a new collection?
Thanks in advance.
Sarah Woo
SLT
Holten-Richmond Middle School
Danvers, MA
semwoo@alumnet.simmons.edu
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