What is typically the largest expenditure in an elementary school library's book budget?

The largest expenditure in an elementary school library's book budget typically goes toward newly published books. This is because libraries continuously seek to provide current, relevant, and engaging materials that reflect contemporary themes, interests, and educational standards. Newly published books often cater to students' interests, promote literacy, and encourage a love for reading, contributing to the overall educational goals of the library.

Investing in new titles helps keep the collection fresh and appealing, ensures that students have access to the latest information and stories, and can support various curriculum needs. While reference books, replacements for worn-out books, and duplicates for high-demand titles are also important aspects of a library's budget, they usually do not consume as large a portion of the overall expenditure as newly published books do. These categories serve specific needs but do not typically match the volume of funding allocated to introducing new titles that can attract and maintain students' interest in reading.