In this paper, I outline my reasons for choosing to purchase a specific geography series for the elementary school library.

1. Natalie Sapkarov
LIS 590 NF
June 27, 2007
Assignment #2: Choosing a Geography Series
I chose the school library scenario and would purchase the From Sea to Shining Sea
series for my collection. Although this series has some flaws, I felt that it would best serve all of
my students’ interests. There are photographs on nearly every page as well as random boxes of
fun facts to keep students interested and not feel like they’re doing homework. For the first grade
students, there is an almanac in the back of the book that they can use for their project. The third
and fourth grade projects’ needs are also mostly met, with the exception of an absence of an
index listing for “natural resources.” However, I would let the teachers know about this, so that
they can have a discussion in their classrooms about what things would be considered natural
resources (or I suppose I could do it for them). The beginning of the book also has much tourist
appeal, describing places to visit and things to do, for students who are just browsing the shelves.
The majority of my decision was based on the fact that this series was most readable for students
grades 1-4. The Celebrate the States series was far too dense (I had no attention span to read it
myself), and the It’s My State series seemed too simple (and the pictures and layout were dated).
As for circulation, I would most certainly quarantine the series during state project time. I
would hope that the first, third, and fourth grade projects would not all be happening at the same
time, but even if they are, the books will stay in the library. I could, however, make an exception
for the fourth grade students, since their reports are the most detailed, allowing them to borrow
the books overnight—one night! Otherwise, the series can circulate like normal books during the
“off-season.”