Collection Development in Partnership with Youth

Abstract Young people represent a significant portion of public and school library users, so collection development policies and procedures should involve these constituents, particularly with the advent of technology. Youth information needs can be culled from circulation and demographic statistics, student work, surveys, and interviews. Selection criteria should be reviewed in light of student input. Issues of access vs. ownership highlight ways that youth can help select online resources, and aid in their effective use. Student work itself constitutes an innovative part of the collection. Finally, student advisory boards can systematically help develop and maintain responsive collections.