- A volunteer committee of current and retired Library Media Specialists creates the reading lists based on suggestions from students and adults.
- Students choose the Golden Archer nominees, that are incorporated into the lists where appropriate.
- Advisors suggest titles throughout the season and a survey is shared with all WEMTA members.
- Many factors go into a balanced list: main characters’ gender, fiction/nonfiction, variety of genres, noteworthy & award winner lists of quality literature, current/past titles, and diversity of authors and stories.
- The suggested books are read between conference and May 15th. The Golden Archer nominees are read after their announcements on May 15th. The final Battle lists are available June 1st. It’s an ambitious timeline.
Improvements for the future
- Add more information about diversity of authors and stories to the selection discussion.
- Increase awareness and participation in the Golden Archer process.
- Increase awareness and participation in the book selection survey.
A few facts about the book selection process for WEMTA’s Battle of the Books