Differences Between Book Selection and Evaluation:

Selection and evaluation are the two essential processes for growing the library’s collection. Choosing the appropriate books is based on how books have evolved. So we may regard revaluation as the micro-selection. The basic purpose of selection and evaluation of books is to build up a sound and proper collection in the library. Though they are very closely related but they have some differences. Some of the key differences between book selection and evaluation are being:

Book Evaluation Book Selection
1. Books are evaluated at first. 1. Books are selected after evaluation.
2. It is a part of selection. 2. It works includes evaluation.
3. Some methods are followed for evaluation. 3. Some principles are followed for Selection.
4. It is the way through which the selector access into a single book title. This process of evaluation leads to a decision on selection or rejection. 4. It is the choice of balanced library materials to cater to the needs, requirements and demands of the clientele of the library.
5. This type of judgement is achieved through the subjective analysis of books. 5. This type of judgement depends on the nature of the library service, budget, policy, user demands etc. and then go through the qualitative standards setup by evaluation.
6. The methods of it remain always same in each library. 6. The principles of it may be difference from one library to another.
7. It is used to select and collect books. 7. It is used to provide the right book to the right person at a right time.
8. Intellectual merit of librarian is essential for it. 8. Financials support of the library is important for it.
9. It assists the librarian to choose the right type of books. 9. The basic purpose of it is to build a sound collection of books in the library within minimum cost.
10. It is based on criteria of books and qualities of the evaluator. 10. It is an active, complex and intellectual process as it involves a wide spectrum of principles, practices and tools.
11. It needs through reading, intelligent analysis and a careful or critical examination of books. 11. It requires bibliographical reviews, selection guides and aids.
12. It is the part of acquisition which judges physical body, subtle body and the soul of books. 12. It means to determine those books which are needed by the individual users.
13. All libraries have some advantages to see or evaluate books before purchasing or not. 13. No library, even with copyright facilities, can go in for a comprehensive collection for all branches of knowledge.

To improve a library collection evaluation and selection both are very imperative. Sometimes they are differed from one another but they are substitute of each other. Because selection can never successfully accomplished without a perfect evaluation of materials. Thus evaluation leads to a decision on selection or rejection.