Features of Elementary School Library Poetry Collections: A Collection Analysis Study

Abstract

An analysis of the poetry holdings of 72 elementary school libraries in one American public school district addressed the research question: What are some distinguishing features of elementary school library poetry collections? The study data was collected using the reporting feature of the district's online library catalog software. Nearly 90% of the poetry collections in the study sample were less than half the recommended size. Most collections were near the 14-year age limit for a state standards compliant school library collection, and poetry circulation totaled less than one percent of the average library's circulation.