Do selectors just purchase whatever they want? Of course not!

Here are three things selectors look at when purchasing books for library collections:

1. Professional reviews. Professional review journals are an essential part of a selector's job. Journals such as Library Journal, School Library Journal, Kirkus, and Publisher's Weekly publish non-biased reviews of new titles coming out. Selectors look for books with good reviews when deciding what to purchase.

   Selectors may also purchase books that go viral or are popular on #BookTok.

   What books have you seen on #BookTok lately? Let us know if the Library needs to purchase it!
2. Do other libraries own the title? If selectors are on the fence about a purchase, they will look at other libraries in the region to see if they have the title. If quite a few other libraries have purchased the book, selectors may purchase it as well. However, if only a few libraries own the title, selectors may not purchase it.

   
3. Community needs. Will the title do well in the Wichita community? Selectors are skilled at following local trends. They want to purchase books the community needs and will want to read. For example, the Youth Materials Selector will always purchase the William Allen White books local schools are reading. The Adult Selectors make sure the library has enough copies of the Big Read Wichita book. Selectors WANT the community to read!

Looking for something new to read? Check out our latest selections!