Quick Summary
- Find culturally relevant Spanish-language titles by using precise subject searches in Core Collections to locate authentic works in Latin American or European Spanish and better serve your community’s needs.
- Identify high-quality books your library doesn’t own by using Advanced Search filters helps you uncover recommended titles missing from your shelves, saving time and strengthening your collection.
- Weed outdated nonfiction in minutes by quickly generating targeted weeding lists using Core Collections filters, especially in fast-changing areas like health and technology.
Building a strong, relevant collection for your community takes time, insight, and the right tools. Whether you’re curating new materials, filling collection gaps, or tackling a weeding project, a few search strategies can make your work easier and more impactful.
If you’re using Core Collections for collection development, these three tips will help you get even more value from your subscription — without using more of your time or brainpower. And, if you don’t have Core Collections yet, these strategies offer a glimpse into how this tool can simplify your workflow and strengthen your collection decisions.
Tip #1: Pinpoint the Right Spanish-Language Materials
If your library serves Spanish-speaking readers, you already know how important it is to offer books that reflect not just language, but culture and context, too. One of the biggest challenges when building a Spanish-language collection is that many mass-translated books are written in a more formal Spanish from Spain or are English works translated into Spanish.
Finding titles in the correct dialect for your patrons that are authentic works written by a native speaker can be surprisingly difficult. With Core Collection en Español, you can go beyond surface-level filters like Audience Level or Publication Date and make sure you’re choosing the right materials for your community.
- To find books written in Latin American Spanish, type the following in the search field: SU "Latin American Spanish language materials"
- For works originally written in European Spanish, search: SU "European Spanish language materials"
- To focus on books that were originally written in Spanish, search: SU "original Spanish-language materials"
- To find books translated from English into Spanish, search: SU "translations English to Spanish"
These quick filters help ensure your Spanish-language collection reflects the voices and backgrounds of your community — making every reader feel seen.
Tip #2: Discover Hidden Gems Not Yet on Your Shelves
Ever worry about missing out on great titles as you build a section of your collection? This tip for Core Collections makes it easy to identify high-quality books your library doesn’t own yet.
In Advanced Search, start your search with this phrase:
(PT (book)) NOT LO isbns
This finds books that are not currently in your collection. From there, you can narrow your results by:
- Recommendation Level: Essential, Recommended, or Supplemental
- Grade Level
- Lexile Score
- Publication Date
- Dewey Range
- Database (like Children’s Core Collection or Graphic Novels Core Collection)
For example, if you search Children’s Core Collection for Essential titles published in the last 12 months for grades K–3, you’ll come across The Friendship Train: A True Story of Help and Healing After World War II by Debbie Levy. It’s a beautifully illustrated nonfiction picture book that earned starred reviews from both Publishers Weekly and School Library Journal — a title that might otherwise slip under the radar.
This strategy is especially helpful when you’re working outside your comfort zone or need to fill gaps fast. After all, none of us can read everything, but with Core Collections, we don’t have to.
Tip #3: Create a Targeted Weeding List in Minutes
Weeding can be time-consuming. But Core Collections can help you quickly identify outdated nonfiction titles, especially in fast-evolving subject areas like health and technology.
To build a ready-to-go weeding list:
- Head to Advanced Search
- Select the Nonfiction Core Collection database
- Add these filters:
- Recommendation Level: Weeded
- Date Range: Past 10 years
- Grade Level: Adult
- Dewey Range: 600–620
This will give you a solid list of materials in science, medicine, and technology that are no longer recommended, making it easier to keep those sections current and trustworthy.
Pair this list with a shelf audit or annual review to prioritize which titles need attention first.
Bonus Tip: Save Your Best Searches
Once you’ve built a search you like — whether for selection or weeding — go ahead and save it. Saved searches are a great way to streamline workflows across departments, standardize practices, save you time, share searches among coworkers, and help everyone on your team stay on the same page.
Savannah Dorsett-Jones is a Product Manager for NoveList. She is currently reading A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant.
