This section presents background on selection philosophies, provides tips on how to be a good selector, and identifies general selection criteria that should help in making selection decisions for your library. Some argue that this type of collection will draw people into the library since the library contains the type of materials that satisfy the community's interests. All resources should be geared toward improving the cognitive level of its user community. In some senses, this is an artificial debate since most public libraries are going to strive for a mix of the two selection philosophies. Your ultimate goal is to provide a balanced collection that meets the needs of your community.
Some people say that selection is an art.
However, there are some practical activities you can do to help you become a good selector. In general, to be a good selector, you need to keep track of the trends and events occurring in the publishing fields, understand your community, and be aware of current events and popular culture trends. First, you should stay abreast of what is going on in the publishing trade. Read reviews by a variety of reputable reviewers. Preview materials whenever possible.