The American Library Association (ALA) defined selection as choosing materials that are desired by the community. The act of censorship is purposely excluding materials that may be desired by the community or have other educational functions.

Selection vs Censorship

The careful acquisition of items that will benefit the target audience of the collection

San Jose State University

New York University

- User needs analysis
- Policies development
- Selection
- Acquisition
- Weeding
- Evaluation

Collection Development Process

Wikipedia

The process of learning more about the target audience(s) needs in order to better serves them

User Needs Analysis in Collection Development

The development and implementation of policies that best benefit the library or archive. Policies often include information on material selection and replacement, removal of materials, and the institutional mission.

Policies Development in Collection Development

Selection in Collection Development

The act of physically attaining items for a collection after the selection process

Acquisition in Collection Development

The act of removing materials that are no longer relevant to the collection

Weeding in Collection Development

Constant evaluation is necessary to a collection in order to guarantee the collection does not become outdated and ineffective

Learn Before

Related

Learn After