Which material should the library media specialist prioritize when purchasing nonfiction?

When purchasing nonfiction materials, prioritizing information accuracy is essential for a library media specialist. Accurate information ensures that students receive reliable content that supports their learning and research. It underpins educational integrity, fostering critical thinking and informed understanding. This accuracy supports educators' curriculum objectives and equips students with the tools they need to discern facts from misinformation.

While factors such as entertainment value, an author's celebrity status, and material appeal to students can be relevant in certain contexts, they do not hold the same weight in terms of educational efficacy. Entertainment value might engage students momentarily, but it does not guarantee that the content will be factual or educationally beneficial. An author's celebrity status can attract interest but does not necessarily correlate with the quality or accuracy of the information presented. Similarly, while student appeal is vital for engagement, it is critical that the foundational content be accurate to ensure that learners are building knowledge on sound information.