Selection+Criteria


 * Introduction || Creating a Selection Policy || Selection Criteria || Selection Tools || Censorship & Challenges || Questions || Other Considerations || References ||

These are the specific details and characteristics written into the Selection Policy that materials must meet in order to be considered for purchase. Some policies have extensive lists of detailed criteria while others have shorter, more general criteria. Some libraries use general criteria for fiction materials to select graphic novels, while others specifically indicate separate criteria for this medium.
 * Selection Criteria**

According to Freeman and Dillon (2006) there are three main types of selection criteria: broad, general, and specific. __Broad__ - A broad selection policy will reflect the school's philosophical principles. It will be very open to interpretation and allow for greater freedom in selecting materials, but may create some inconsistencies in a collection because of personal interpretation. __General__ - A general selection policy will offer more detail in the selection process. A general selection policy offers a more consistent guide to current and future library staff for developing the collection by providing more of a checklist to follow. __Specific__ - Some libraries have very specific selection policies and criteria for each type of material in the collection.

A selection policy most often includes the following components:
 * types of materials considered for acquisition
 * philosophy for selecting the materials
 * criteria for selecting the materials
 * tools used to make the selections
 * procedures for gifts and donations
 * person(s) responsible for selection

The Western Australia Department of Education and Training has developed a selection policy that incorporates all three criteria levels. Graphic novels are included in the general fiction category in this particular example. @http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/library/selection/sel22.htm

It is more common to see a number of criteria for selection in a policy. In selecting graphic novels, James Solomon Russell Junior High Library (RJHS) in the U.S. follows general selection criteria, but also includes additional criteria for comics: "Materials selected for inclusion into the RJHS library's collection should reflect the mission statement and:
 * be accurate, current, and authoritative.
 * be of authentic quality.
 * be age appropriate and reading level appropriate.
 * reflect a diverse culture free of stereotypes.
 * provide different points of view.
 * be of optimal educational value.
 * be attractive and functional.
 * meet the needs of different learning styles.
 * be in alignment with curriculum needs and standards.
 * encourage life-long love of reading and learning.
 * cover a range of formats with an emphasis on print.
 * support school-wide reading programs and reading development.
 * include high interest, low level reading material.
 * provide resources to support instruction.
 * further the professional development of the staff.

Comic books and graphic novels:
 * provide age-appropriate palatable reading material.
 * encourage reluctant readers.
 * promote leisure reading.
 * present excellence in illustration and story.
 * refrain from gratuitous accounts of violence and inappropriate behavior" (RJHS, n.d.)

Lyga (2004) believes in selecting graphic novels by looking for quality and age appropriate materials with subjects of interest to students and follows four basic selection criteria: good story, good artwork, age appropriateness and appeal. These criteria are relevant, although broad and open to interpretation, and will require the use of specific and defined selection tools to minimize the variance of interpretation.

At the very least, a selection policy should define criteria for selection that are aligned with the school's philosophy, mission statement and goals; meet curricular and learner needs; and reflect quality of content and physical construction.

(It was difficult to locate Canadian library policies that specified the inclusion of or criteria for graphic novels.)
 * Example selection policies that specify graphic novel criteria**:

Haverhill Public Library, USA @http://www.haverhillpl.org/About/policies/teenmaterials.html

Longview Public Library, USA @http://www.longview.lib.tx.us/newweb/library_templates/CollDevPol/ColDevPolpg6.htm

Mercer County Library System, Lawrence Headquarters Branch, USA @http://webserver.mcl.org/lib/colldev6.html

Monterey Public Library, USA @http://www.monterey.org/library/cdp/cdp13.html

University at Buffalo, USA @http://library.buffalo.edu/libraries/asl/guides/graphicnovels/dev/guidelines.php

Western Australia Department of Education and Training @http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/cmis/eval/library/selection/sel22.htm

Winnipeg Public Library, Canada @http://wpl.winnipeg.ca/library/pdfs/MaterialsSelectionPolicy.pdf