Wednesday, December 22, 2010

The Principal's Guide to a Powerful Library Media Program: A School Library for the 21st Century


McGhee, M., & Jansen, B. (2010). The principal's guide to a powerful library media program: A school library for the 21st century (2nd ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: Linworth.
ISBN: 978-1-58683-526-2

Dr. McGhee is a professor at Lewis & Clark College in Portland where she teaches school administrators-to-be. She's been a teacher, principal, and director of professional development and has seen firsthand what can be accomplished in quality school libraries. She teamed with a well-respected practicing school librarian, Barbara Jansen, to craft a clear guide for helping school administrators understand the potential of a strong school library program. (Sound familiar? HB 2586, anyone?) What most excites me about this book is that it reinforces the message that school librarians are trying to spread, but one of the author's has never been a librarian. In other words, this is as equally written from a 'them' perspective as from an 'us' one. Perhaps school administrators will be more interested in hearing the message from a different voice. -- Jen

Publisher's Description
"This book of best practices documents how school administrators and librarians can work together to optimize their library media services.

The principal and the librarian or media specialist at every K-12 school should be a 'dynamic duo' who share the goal of creating a library media program that benefits the learning lives of both students and teachers. Achieving that objective, however, is often more difficult than imagined, eluding many best-intentioned efforts.

A campus administrator looking to improve an existing library media program or create a new one. A teacher or librarian seeking the principal's support for establishing a more effective program. A university professor requiring the foundation for a curriculum to instruct preservice librarians and campus administrators. In each of these scenarios, The Principal's Guide to a Powerful Library Media Program can provide relevant background information, clear guidance, and tangible techniques.

This unique text draws on professional literature, research, site visits, interviews, and the coauthors' collective years of experience to help principals be effective practioners, and to facilitate full comprehension of the far-reaching benefits a successful library media program has on the entire campus. The anecdotes and insights on best practices illustrate the principal's role in managing and facilitating the library media program—including hiring, budgeting, scheduling, and professional development. The methodology of 'GEAR'—Gather information, Establish goals, Apply strategy, and Reflect—is championed throughout the book.

Features
• Includes a collection of practical tools, such as a library walkabout description and form, a list of administrative enablers and inhibitors, GEAR process documentation and worksheets, administrator self-assessments in each chapter, planning paperwork for budgeting, scheduling, staffing, and feedback forms for the administrator and the library media specialist
• Each chapter concludes with a comprehensive list of additional resources
• Contains 13 helpful appendices sections

Highlights
• Combines an overview of the school administrator's role in supporting the teacher or librarian with insightful guidelines for achieving an effective library media program
• Written by two acclaimed experts in the fields of library administration, primary school education, and information-literacy curricula
• Fills a critical information gap regarding the profound importance of library programs, a topic often overlooked in the preservice preparation of most campus and district leaders"

Includes a CD-ROM of self-assessments, worksheets, and other tools found in the book.

Librarians as Learning Specialists: Meeting the Learning Imperative for the 21st Century


Zmuda, A., & Harada, V. (2008). Librarians as learning specialists: Meeting the learning imperative for the 21st century. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited. ISBN: 978-1-59158-679-1

Publisher's Description:
"How can librarians and other Learning Specialists successfully leverage their roles to meet the learning imperatives of the twenty first century?

Zmuda and Harada explore the increasing number of job descriptions in schools for learning specialists with the accompanying difficulty in effectively leveraging these roles to positively affect student learning. School librarians have been one of these learning specialists for decades. The ranks have expanded in recent years to include many other content area specialists. Grant Wiggins' foreword emphasizes the relevance of learning specialists is grounded in their ability to deliver results on mission-critical measures.

This title incorporates quotations, exemplars, and findings from experts in both mainstream and librarian-focused education literature in an inclusive approach making the text accessible and credible for any leader charged with improving the system's ability for improved student achievement.

There are an increasing number of job descriptions in schools for learning specialists - certified teachers with specialized areas of expertise whose job it is to improve student performance. While these positions are attractive ideas in theory, there are real challenges in effectively leveraging such roles to positively affect student learning. School librarians have been one of these learning specialists for decades. The ranks have expanded in recent years to include reading specialists, literacy coaches, writing coaches, technology specialists, mathematics specialists, science specialists, and teachers of English Language Learners. References included throughout the book incorporate quotations, exemplars, and findings from experts in both mainstream and librarian-focused education literature. This inclusive approach makes the text accessible and credible for any leader charged with improving the system's ability for improved student achievement. Grant Wiggins' foreword emphasizes the premise that the relevance of learning specialists is grounded in their ability to deliver results on mission-critical measures."

(Reviews)

Guide to Reference Materials for School Library Media Centers

Safford, B. R. (2010). Guide to reference materials for school library media centers (6th ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited. ISBN: 978-1-59158-277-9

Publisher's Description:
"This guide will help librarians strengthen their reference collections in all curricular areas with exciting books and powerful web-based materials.

Book publishing remains strong with digital printing processes, making reference books more visually attractive to students. Many printed materials are also published as eBooks and many of these are combined with index databases linked with web resources. But with so many available resources, how do school libraries know they are choosing the best new materials?

As the growth of eBooks and database formats accelerates, selecting reference materials for school library collections has become a complicated process. Like previous editions, Guide to Reference Materials for School Library Media Centers, Sixth Edition is designed to suggest the best material in all formats, on all subjects, and at all levels—to help school librarians find the best resources.

To compile this guide, the author reviewed materials in school, public, and community college collections, and confirmed quality by examining published reviews in standard library reviewing guides. The resulting book lists reference tools for school librarians and has major sections recommending general science, humanities, and social science reference books, eBooks, and subscription databases for K-12 library collections. Materials listed come both from publishers who specialize in K-12 materials and publishers whose market is not typically school libraries.

Features
• Items available via web delivery are marked with "web"
• Items specifically recommended for elementary schools are indicated with an "E"
• Annotations suggest which materials can be used for cross-curricular projects
• Subject and author/title indexes complement the broad category organization

Highlights
• Covers all curricular areas and many student interest areas
• Helps school librarians strengthen and update collections
• Allows librarians to compare similar sources and electronic providers
• Points out why expensive materials can be cost effective"

Copyright for Schools: A Practical Guide


Simpson, C. (2010). Copyright for schools: a practical guide (5th ed.). Santa Barbara, CA: Linworth. ISBN: 978-1-58683-393-0

Publisher's Description:
"An updated edition of the standard, comprehensive guide to copyright issues affecting schools, this book provides the watertight copyright policy and plan that's a must for every school district.

The potential for copyright violation is all around us. Hiring a DJ to play at a school dance is a likely violation if you don't have a public performance license for the music. Giving away a digital file is considered "commercial use;" also a violation. As copyright owners become more aggressive about enforcement of their intellectual property rights, schools need to understand exactly what is—and what is not—permissible.

Copyright continues to be a timely topic as technology makes determining who owns what more and more complex. Written by the leading copyright authority for libraries, Copyright for Schools: A Practical Guide, Fifth Edition is a thoroughly updated version of the industry standard on copyright matters affecting schools.

Starting with an overview of copyright law, the book goes on to cover specific topics medium by medium, including print, software, music, video, multimedia, and more. It addresses new technologies in common use in schools and school libraries and also includes new cases and interpretations, statutory citations, guidance on best practices, and real life questions and answers to typical copyright dilemmas faced by schools. On the theory that preventing legal action is always simpler than defending it, the advice throughout is designed to enable schools to take advantage of their rights under copyright law, while avoiding the "bleeding edge" that may make them targets for copyright owners.

Features
• Sample logs, record-keeping aids, notices, policies, request letters, forms, and instructional materials
• Questions and answers on representative school situations involving copyright, including hot topics like video yearbooks, wikis, and distance learning
• A reproducible copyright brochure suitable for school staff
• Examples of fair-use analysis
• Lists of copyright-cleared media and producers
• A comprehensive bibliography, including Internet links related to copyright

Highlights
• Provides a thoroughly updated version of the standard copyright reference for schools and school libraries
• Includes an extensive revision of chapters on fair use, music, and new technologies
• Explains a complex and confusing topic in ways educators can easily understand
• Shares the expertise of an attorney who regularly defends and advises schools on copyright matters"

Copyright Clarity: How Fair Use Supports Digital Learning


Hobbs, R. (2010). Copyright clarity: How fair use supports digital learning. Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin. ISBN: 978-1-4129-8159-0

This thin volume differs from many copyright books in that it emphasizes that we are not always bound by the educational use guidelines, as they are not the law and can be unnecessarily restrictive. Instead, the focus is on having the user apply the principles of fair use at the time of need. The book is a joint publication with the National Council of Teachers of English. -- Jen

Publisher's Description:
"Today, educators and students have access to a vast, rich array of online materials that can be used for instruction, but these resources often remain untapped because of confusion over copyright laws.

In this slim, jargon-free guide, media literacy expert Renee Hobbs presents simple principles for applying copyright law and the doctrine of fair use to 21st-century teaching and learning. Complete with a ready-to-go staff development workshop, this book explores:

  • What is permissible in the classroom
  • Fair use of digital materials such as images, music, movies, and Internet elements found on sites such as Google and YouTube
  • Trends in intellectual property law and copyright practices
  • Classroom projects using copyrighted materials

Copyright Clarity helps educators unlock Internet and digital media resources to classrooms while respecting the rights of copyright holders.

For supporting videos, slide presentations, and curriculum materials, see also www.mediaeducationlab.com/copyright."

Contents

Understanding FRBR: What It Is and How It Will Affect Our Retrieval Tools


Taylor, A. G. (Ed.). (2007). Understanding FRBR: What it is and how it will affect our retrieval tools. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited. ISBN: 978-1-59158-509-1

Description from Libraries Unlimited:
"What is FRBR, and why is everyone talking about it? Is it really going to revolutionize cataloguing? And if so, what form will it take? This book is written for librarians, bibliographic systems designers, library and information science faculty and students, and anyone else who is interested in learning about the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) and how following the FRBR model can improve access to information through helpful organization of the metadata records that are surrogates for information resources. Serials, art, music, moving images, maps, and archival materials are just a few of the formats covered. Not for catalogers only!" (Contents)

Redesigning Today's Public Services: Focus on Reference (DVD)

Redesigning Today's Public Services: Focus on Reference. Presenter Marie Radford, Ph. D. College of DuPage, 2010. DVD.

This is a recording of the teleconference that was broadcast by the College of DuPage as part of the Library Futures: Staying Ahead of the Curve series on November 12, 2010. Running time is 90 minutes.

Description on DVD:
"The current information landscape is a world in which change is the only constant. While the important charge for libraries to provide reference services can be traced throughout the history of the profession, the tools, methods and expectations about this core library service are hardly static. This program examines contemporary reference, taking a look at current trends, as well as making some informed predictions about the future. With innovative examples from libraries across the country, the discussion also considers approaches to the issues that will surface as the next generation of reference services evolves to meet patrons' needs."

Libraries & the Mobile Technology Landscape (DVD)

Libraries & the Mobile Technology Landscape. Presenter Joe Murphy. College of DuPage, 2010. DVD.

This is a recording of the teleconference that was broadcast by the College of DuPage as part of the Library Futures: Staying Ahead of the Curve series on September 24, 2010. Running time is 90 minutes.

Description on DVD:
"In what seems like an instant, mobile electronic devices have significantly influenced and changed many aspects of modern life: socialization, entertainment, and the way business is conducted, both in and out of the workplace. This program concentrates specifically on mobile technologies, analyzing how their prevalence is changing the way people interact with information. Joe Murphy...from Yale University, leads this fascinating and timely exploration of the mobile technologies landscape. Beyond showcasing the devices, this program focuses on how information professionals find innovative ways to put these devices to use in librarianship, both to extend and strengthen traditional library services and create deeper and far-reaching connections with patrons."

Thursday, December 16, 2010

Grey Literature in Library and Information Studies (book)

Farace, D.J. & Schopfel, J. (Eds). (2010). Grey Literature in Library and Information Studies. New York: De Gruyter.

The further rise of electronic publishing has come to change the scale and diversity of grey literature facing librarians and other information practitioners. This compiled work brings together research and authorship over the past decade dealing with both the supply and demand sides of grey literature. While this book is written with students and instructors of Colleges and Schools of Library and Information Science in mind, it likewise serves as a reader for information professionals working in any and all like knowledge-based communities.
(book description)

Fang-tastic Fiction (book)

Mathews, P.O. (2011). Fang-tastic Fiction: Twenty-first Century Paranormal Reads. Chicago, IL: American Library Association. ISBN: 978-0-8389-1073-3.

“What’s good besides Twilight?”

Answer frequently asked questions such as this with the help of Mathews’ engaging tour through today’s spooky lit. Readers will be able to search "read-alike" lists for series featuring their favorite "creatures" with up-to-date, chronological lists of series titles and summaries. Librarians will be able to suggest a multitude of adventures starring angst-ridden heartthrobs, superheroes, and champions. Focused exclusively on the best of the best, this lively readers’ advisory
  • Rates each series on a scale of 1 - 5 for levels of violence, sensuality, and humor
  • Contains more than 200 annotated entries
  • Enables book selection by type, character, series, and author
  • Lists all the volumes in a favorite series together and offers numerous read-alikes
Designed to keep librarians and readers up-to-date with the hottest contemporary supernatural beings in adult literature, Fang-tastic Fiction is both fun to read and easy to use.
(book description)

Doing Social Media So It Matters (book)

Solomon, L. (2011). Doing Social Media So It Matters: A Librarian's Guide. Chicago, IL: American Library Association. ISBN: 978-0-8389-1067-2.

Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn: it’s difficult enough to keep abreast of social media Web sites, let alone understand how they fit into today’s library. This practical resource brings together current information on the topic in a concise format that’s easy to digest. Laura Solomon is a librarian with more than a decade of experience in Web development, design, and technology, and her timely guide
  • Provides context on the social media phenomenon
  • Offers practical advice on how libraries can choose, use, and monitor these tools effectively
  • Identifies additional resources and best practices
Solomon has written a unique, to-the-point guidebook for those ready to jump into the deep end of the pool and commence or improve their library’s tweeting, posting, and friending.
(book description)

Ready-To-Go Storytimes (book & CD)

Benton, G. & Waichulaitis, T. (2003). Ready-To-Go Storytimes Fingerplays, Scripts, Patterns, Music, and More. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers. ISBN: 1-55570-449-2.

Here are all the elements you need to produce high quality programs that take advantage of the child’s natural curiosity and encourage parent participation. Assembled for the veteran or novice storyteller, this book (with accompanying music CD) contains everything you need to create interactive, 30-minute story times for children aged eighteen months to five years. Each storytime ends with an interactive song, coloring sheet, and activity handout that reinforce the theme. Among this bountiful feast of stories you will find yum yum tales, animal adventures, desert and beach stories, colorful yarns, and dress up fun. This marvelous package with music will help you provide a total performance every time you use it.
(book description)

I’m a Little Teapot (book)


Cobb, J. (2996). I'm a Little Teapot! Presenting Preschool Storytime. Vancouver, British Columbia: Black Sheep Press. ISBN: 978-0-9698666-0-2.

I’m a Little Teapot contains
all the resources you need for a successful and creative storytime collected in one book: a selection of only the best books and rhymes to use, and the complete text for all the songs and fingerplays.
  • 63 themes, including holidays,
  • booklists of more than 1,000 picture books appropriate for preschool and primary children,
  • the complete text and instructions for more than 500 fingerplays, rhymes and songs,
  • additional resources recommended for storytellers,
  • a bibliography,
  • an index,
  • 256 pages,
  • charming illustrations.
(book description)

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Chronology of Librarianship 1960-2000



Wilhite, Jeffrey M. A Chronology of Librarianship 1960-2000. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, 2009. 020.904 Wilhi ISBN: 978-0-8108-5255-6

This book covers all areas of library literature that inform the history of librarianship and ranges over multiple continents. Its broad scope lends itself to wide use by scholars and students of library history and library literature. The chronology is presented in a dictionary format and separated into decades. It is complemented by a comprehensive bibliography and both subject and name indexes, which are cross-listed for ease of use.

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

ALA Guide to Sociology and Psychology Reference

ALA Guide to Sociology and Psychology Reference American Library Association. Chicago : American Library Association, c2011

Including versions of traditional indexes, periodicals and scholarly journals, online statistical data sets, and websites maintained by a variety of institutions, associations, and advocacy groups, this reference resource thoroughly covers sociology and psychology reference options.

View a full listing of resources covered.

The State of Scholarly Publishing: Challenges and Opportunities

The State of Scholarly Publishing: Challenges and Opportunities Albert N. Greco, editor. New Brunswick, N.J. : Transaction Publishers, c2009

From the back cover: For decades, university presses and other scholarly and professional publishers in the United States played a pivotal role in the transmission of scholarly knowledge. Their books and journals became the "gold standard" in many academic fields for tenure, promotion, and merit pay. Their basic business model was successful, since this diverse collection of presses had a unique value proposition. They dominated the scholarly publishing field with preeminent sales in three major markets or channels of distribution: libraries and institutions; college and graduate school adoptions; and general readers (i.e., sales to general retailers).

Yet this insulated world changed abruptly in the late 1990s. What happened? This book contains a superb series of articles originally published in The Journal of Scholarly Publishing, by some of the best experts on scholarly communication in the western hemisphere, Europe, Asia, and Africa. These authors analye in depth the diverse and exciting challenges and opportunities scholars, universities, and publishers face in what is a period of unusual turbulence in scholarly publishing.

The topics given attention include: copyrights, the transformation of scholarly publishing from a print format to a digital one, open access, scholarly publishing in emerging nations, problems confronting journals, and information on how certain academic disciplines are coping with the transformation of scholarly publishing. This book is a must read for anyone interested in the scholarly publishing industrys past, its current focus, or future plans and developments.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Past CSLP Summer Reading Manuals (books)

The following past Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) summer reading manuals are available to check out the State Library.


  • On Your Mark, Get Set... READ! (2016 children's and early literacy)
  • Get in the Game--READ (2016 teen)
  • Exercise Your Mind, Read (2016 adult)
  • Every Hero Has A Story (2015 children's and early literacy)
  • Unmask! (2015 teen)
  • Escape the Ordinary (2015 adult)
  • Fizz, Boom, Read (2014 children's and early literacy)
  • Spark A Reaction (2014 teen)
  • Literary Elements (2014 adult)
  • Dig Into Reading (2013 children's and early literacy)
  • Beneath the Surface (2013 teen)
  • Groundbreaking Reads (2013 adult)
  • Dream Big Read (2012 children’s)
  • Own the Night (2012 teen)
  • Between the Covers (2012 adult)
  • One World Many Stories (2011 children’s)
  • You Are Here (2011 teen)
  • Novel Destinations (2011 adult)
  • Be Creative @ your library (2009 children’s)
  • Express Yourself @ your library (2009 teen)
  • Master the Art of Reading (2009 adult)
  • Catch the Reading Bug! (2008 children's)
  • Metamorphosis @ your library (2008 teen)
  • Get a Clue @ your library (2007 children's)
  • YNK@ your library (2007 teen)
  • Paws, Claws, Scales and Tales (2006 children's)
  • Creature Feature (2006 teen)
 Manuals include chapters on:
  • Planning (including reproducible sign-up sheets, reading records, call for volunteer letters/forms, etc. often in both English and Spanish)
  • Promoting (including reproducible flyers, clip-art, slogans, etc. often in both English and Spanish)
  • Activity/program ideas by theme (including book and movie lists, songs/rhymes, reproducible activity sheets, etc.)
For those of you familiar with the manuals there are a few differences you should know about:
  • Children's, teen, and adult manuals circulate separately instead of all together as one item.
  • The CDs/DVDs of the clip-art by the featured artists and digital files of the manual are not included due to copyright restrictions.

Cool Teen Programs: For Under $100 (book)

Lillian, J. (2009). Cool Teen Programs: For Under $100. Chicago, IL: American Library Association

Producing engaging, innovative programs for teens on a tight budget is a challenge that many librarians face. With Cool Teen Programs for under $100, YALSA offers an inspired new guide providing a wealth of fun, creative programming ideas sure to entice teens into the library, all easily replicable and easy on the bottom line.

Colleagues from the U.S. and Canada contributed more than twenty-five successful programs, all expertly edited by Jenine Lillian, an instructor at the University of Washington School for Information and teen services consultant.

Programs include twists on typical teen fare, such as crafts, food, and technology, as well as those that boost teen creativity, encourage teens to engage their brains, and bring in teens in underserved populations, such as teen parents or immigrants.

In addition to programs, this book includes helpful chapters on budgeting for teen services and marketing tips that you can put into practice at any budget.

Cool Teen Programs for under $100 will give you all you need to plan and host teen-approved, cost-effective programming for any library, no matter the size or type.
(book description)

Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Children's Literature Lover's Book of Lists (book)

Sullivan, J. (2004). The Children's Literature Lover's Book of Lists. San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass. ISBN 978-0-7879-6595-2

This unique book is writeen for teachers, parents, librarians, and anyone who is seeking quality literature for children (preschoolers through grade 6). The book is filled with wide-ranging lists of titles organized by grade level, theme, and content area. This comprehensive resource simplifies your search by selecting the most useful information from websites, teacher resources, award listings, and publications that are available on children's literature.

Section One--Books for PreK through Grade 1: contains favorite classics, wordless picture books, read-alouds, concept books, animal storties, folk and fairy tales, and books about music, sience, math, sports, and more.

Section Two--Books for Grades 2 and 3: includes all time favorites, multicultural themes, biographies of historical figures, sports heros, reference books, and books to help teach poetry.

Section Three--Books for Grades 4 through 6: Offers biographies, historical fiction, poetry, science fiction, legends, and realistic fiction on social topics.

Section Four--Children's Book Awards and Recommended Literature:

Section Five--Children's Literature Websites and Teacher Resources:

(book description)

Libraries and Graduate Students (book)

Siegel, G. (2009). Libraries and Graduate Students: Building Connections. New York: Routledge.

This book gathers together a variety of perspectives and approaches toward building relationships between academic libraries and a unique scholarly population with specific needs—graduate students. This valuable resource shows efforts on specific programs and strategies to enhance and enrich the graduate student experience. Contributions to this volume include a wide variety approaches though case studies, an extensive literature review on academic integrity, an initiative for program development in the context of a broader education initiative, and a chapter on graduate fellowships for manuscripts and special collections.

Many of the approaches integrate tried and true information literacy strategies, but they also put unique ’spins’ on these approaches. This book’s scope includes large and small colleges and universities, public and private, and specialized and general. Subjects include stand alone courses and workshops, program development, assessment, distance education, online environments, instructional design, and collaborations.

This book is a valuable resource for public service librarians, information literacy/instruction librarians, library science professors, graduate program coordinators, special collections librarians, and subject specialist librarians in all areas.

(book description)

Tuesday, November 23, 2010

What's Going on in There? (book)

Eliot, L. (1999). What's Going on in There? How the Brain and Mind Develop in the First Five Years of Life. New York: Bantam Books.

As a research neuroscientist, Lise Eliot has made the study of the human brain her life's work. But it wasn't until she was pregnant with her first child that she became intrigued with the study of brain development. She wanted to know precisely how the baby's brain is formed, and when and how each sense, skill, and cognitive ability is developed. And just as important, she was interested in finding out how her role as a nurturer can affect this complex process. How much of her baby's development is genetically ordained--and how much is determined by environment? Is there anything parents can do to make their babies' brains work better--to help them become smarter, happier people? Drawing upon the exploding research in this field as well as the stories of real children, What's Going On in There? is a lively and thought-provoking book that charts the brain's development from conception through the critical first five years. In examining the many factors that play crucial roles in that process, What's Going On in There? explores the evolution of the senses, motor skills, social and emotional behaviors, and mental functions such as attention, language, memory, reasoning, and intelligence. This remarkable book also discusses:

  • how a baby's brain is "assembled" from scratch
  • the critical prenatal factors that shape brain development
  • how the birthing process itself affects the brain
  • which forms of stimulation are most effective at promoting cognitive development
  • how boys' and girls' brains develop differently
  • how nutrition, stress, and other physical and social factors can permanently affect a child's brain

Brilliantly blending cutting-edge science with a mother's wisdom and insight, What's Going On in There? is an invaluable contribution to the nature versus nurture debate. Children's development is determined both by the genes they are born with and the richness of their early environment. This timely and important book shows parents the innumerable ways in which they can actually help their children grow better brains.

(book description)

Active Baby, Healthy Brain (book)

Sasse, M. (2010). Active Baby, Healthy Brain: 135 Fun Exercises and Activities to Maximize Your Child's Brain Development from Birth Through age 51/2. New York: The Experiment.

Movement, play, and active exploration in the first five years of a child’s life are essential to the development of his or her body and brain. Now Active Baby, Healthy Brain presents 135 massages, exercises, and activities that engage your child’s love of play while also stimulating his or her brain development in multiple areas, including:

  • Balance
  • Cross-pattern movement
  • Visualization
  • Vestibular (inner ear) stimulation
  • Laterality
  • Fine and gross motor skills

Each activity is presented on its own page with step-by-step instructions, appealing illustrations, and illuminating sidebars. The detailed instructions tell you exactly how to do each activity, as well as how to incorporate toys, music, dance, and games. No single activity takes more than two minutes, and all that’s required is ten minutes a day. More than thirty years in the making, Active Baby, Healthy Brain is an indispensable guide for everyone who is raising a child or who interacts with preschoolers.

(book description)

What'll I Do With the Baby-O? (book and CD)

Cobb, J. (2007). What'll I Do With the Baby-O? Nursery Rhymes, Songs, and Stories for Babies. Vancouver, BC , Canada: Black Sheep Press.

What'll I Do With The Baby-o is a selection of great rhymes, songs, and stories to use in play with infants 0 to 2 years. Whether it’s for use at a library program, a Mother Goose program, in a daycare, or at home, there is enough material here to engage and delight babies throughout their first two years of development. All of the activities recommended encourage the bonding, early language and literacy, brain and emotional development, and fun that will enrich parents' and babies' lives in ways that will last a lifetime.
  • useful chapters on baby brain development, early language and literacy development, the role of books, rhymes and songs in pre-literacy development, and the ages and stages of infant development for programmers,
  • program planning and presentation tips,
  • resources including age appropriate board books for babies and toddlers, read aloud books for baby programs, and stories to tell,
  • 350 rhymes and songs arranged by type for easy access,
  • an index to all the rhymes and songs by type and by first line,
  • 256 pages,
  • bibliographies for further reading.
  • ISBN: 0-9698666-1-5
  • 13 digit ISBN: 978-0-9698666-1-9
  • A CD of 36 beautiful songs to sing to babies

500 Great Books for Teens (book)

Silvey, A. (2006). 500 Great Books for Teens. New York: Houghton Mifflin.

Review from Horn Book:

Former Horn Book editor Silvey selects and annotates five hundred titles for young adults, arranging them loosely in twenty-one chapters by genre and/​or area of interest, from "Adventure and Survival" to "War and Conflict." Each book is coded for either younger (12-14) or older (14-18) teens and gets a couple of hundred words or so, including a summary, critical assessment, estimation of reader appeal, and sometimes references to similar titles. The selections are both sturdy and wide-ranging, particularly as Silvey includes both books published for young adults and those intended for an adult audience but with teen appeal.

While the emphasis is on fiction of all genres (including graphic and verse novels), informational books -- mostly history -- get a chapter of their own and can also be found throughout the book. Useful appendices include indexes to both geographical and historical settings as well as a comprehensive general index that allows readers to cross-reference subjects that transcend the themes of the individual chapters.

The Ultimate Teen Book Guide (book)


Hahn, D., Flynn, L., & Reuben, S. (2008). The Ultimate Teen Book Guide: More Than 700 Great Books. New York: Walker & Company.

Stuck for something to read? Whether you're searching for a book to blow your mind and change your life or just a light read for the beach, The Ultimate Teen Book Guide is the perfect place to start.

The book includes recommendations from teen reviews and your favorite authors--more than 700 books total--from true classics to must-read cult fiction, from the top award winners to best sellers. Prepare to be inspired! Whether you like fantasy, horror, chick lit, graphic novels, sci-fi, or crime, there's something or everyone.

You'll also find special features written by expert authors--like E. Lockhart on books about love and relationships, and Patrick Jones on short and gripping books--plus top ten lists by genre and the results of our top ten surveys.

Each rave review comes with suggestions for what to read next, so with more than 1,000 recommended books total, you'll never be without a good book again!

(book description)

Monday, November 22, 2010

Being Indispensable



Toor, Ruth, and Hilda K. Weisburg. Being Indispensable: A School Librarian's Guide to Becoming an Invaluable Leader. Chicago: American Library Association, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-8389-1065-8



This non-overwhelming volume helps school librarians gain the right perspective to make advocacy and leadership more successful. -- Jen

From ALA's website:
In New on the Job, experts Ruth Toor and Hilda K. Weisburg helped newbies make the transition to real-world school librarianship. Being Indispensable is all about staying one: without a proactive approach, school librarians, facing a severe economic downturn and budget cuts, run the risk of becoming an endangered species. In clear, simple, and practical language, this book empowers school librarians by helping them
  • Understand what other stakeholders in a school need and want
  • Demonstrate their importance to administrators, teachers, and parents
  • Plan strategically in both their personal and professional lives
  • Master important tools like advocacy and marketing
Making the case for the vital role school librarians play in learning, this book gives readers all the strategies they need to become the kind of leader their school can’t do without.

Table of Contents
Introduction

Part I Knowing Who You Are
1 What’s Your Mission?
2 What Makes a Leader?
3 Where Do You Stand?

Part II Knowing Your Stakeholders
4 What Do Administrators Want?
5 What Does the Community Want?
6 What Do Teachers Want?
7 What Do Students Want?

Part III Thinking Bigger
8 How Does Advocacy Develop Leadership?
9 How Do You Get a Larger Perspective?
10 Does This Really Work?

Appendix: Web Resources

Index

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Building the Reading Brain, PreK-3 (book)

Nevills, P. & Wolfe, P. (2009). Building the Reading Brain, PreK-3 (2nd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Corwin Press.

This updated edition of the best-selling book covers brain theory and research to give educators a clear picture of how children acquire language skills in preparation for reading.

Moving through skills acquisition from birth to age eight, this resource provides best teaching practices for fostering critical literacy skills for each age group. This second edition features updated research, expanded information on English language learners and Response to Intervention, and information about mirror neurons, sensory input, and decoding pathways. Readers will find
  • developmentally appropriate, brain friendly strategies for building phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, comprehension, and fluency skills
  • instructional applications for games, music, and play
  • interventions for children with early reading difficulties
Building the Reading Brain, PreK-3 sheds light on early childhood cognition and language development to help teachers provide all young learners with a strong foundation for reading success.
(book description)

The Read-Aloud Handbook (book)

Trelease, J. (2006). The Read-Aloud Handbook (6th ed.). New York: Penguin Books.

Every child can become an avid reader, and in The Read-Aloud Handbook Jim Trelease shows how to make it happen. In this beloved, enduring guide, Trelease shares his inspiring message, backed by delightful anecdotes as well as the research, and
  • explains how reading aloud awakens children's imaginations and improves their language skills
  • shows how to begin reading aloud and which books to choose
  • suggests ways to create reader-friendly hone, classroom, and library environments
  • gives tips on luring children away from the television
  • shows how to integrate silent reading with read-aloud sessions
  • shares valuable lessons from Oprah's Book Club, the Harry Potter books, and the Internet
  • includes a chapter of stories and testimonials from parents and teachers
  • offers a treasury of 1,000 books that are great for reading aloud--from picture books to novels--and highlights some of Trelease's favorites by theme
This edition of Trelease's Handbook invites a new generation of parents, teachers, grandparents, and siblings to discover the rewards--and the importance--of reading aloud to children.
(book description)

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Cataloging Correctly for Kids: An Introduction to the Tools 5th ed.


Intner, Sheila S., Joanna Fountain, & Jean Weihs. Cataloging Correctly for Kids: An Introduction to the Tools 5th ed. Chicago: ALA, 2011. 025.32 Catal 5th ed. ISBN 978-0-8389-3589-7

This new fifth edition of the classic Cataloging Correctly for Kids points the way towards providing effective cataloging for materials intended for children and young adults. Based on guidelines issued by the Association for Library Cataloging and Technical Services (ALCTS), this handbook is a one-stop resource for librarians who organize information for children. Revisions include comprehensive updates on bibliographic description and subject access, A new chapter exploring cataloging for non-English-speaking and preliterate children, Guidance on when and how to move to RDA, the next generation of cataloging guidelines, With advice contributed by experienced, practicing librarians, the fifth edition of Cataloging Correctly for Kids offers a complete overview of the best methods for enabling children to find the information they want and need.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

1,000 Fingerplays & Action Rhymes (book and DVD)

Scott, B.A. (2010). 1,000 Fingerplays & Action Rhymes: A Sourcebook & DVD. New York: Neal-Schuman.

Incorporate creative, educational, and fun fingerplays into your storytime with this time-saving, uniquely extensive one-stop resource. Organized by theme from “apples” to “zoo”, experienced children’s librarian Barbara Scott’s one-thousand, ready-to-go fingerplays and action rhymes provide busy librarians and teachers with the up-to-date, cost-effective material needed to improve storytime without the extra planning time.

Scott explains numerous developmental benefits that children gain from fingerplays, and offers helpful guidance for selecting appropriate material and organizing and marketing storytimes. The book’s one-thousand fingerplays are grouped into over forty categories and span a wide range of themes, including different types of animals, foods, activities, games, colors, shapes, and more. Much more than just another storytime book, Scott brings her decades of successful experience to your screen through an accompanying DVD. Watch her perform all types of fingerplays and action rhymes so you can choose different styles to implement or adapt in your own storytime.

Learn to lead 1,000 fingerplays with confidence while your young listeners absorb listening and memorization skills, motor coordination, and a love of storytime fun. (book description)

Friday, October 15, 2010

What They Don't Teach You in Library School


Doucett, Elisabeth. What They Don't Teach You in Library School. Chicago: American Library Association, 2011. ISBN: 978-0-8389-3592-7

This slim, easy-to-read volume is broken into three parts based on what you need to know before you get a library job, while new on the job, and as you gain experience. -- Jen

Product Description from ALA:
MLS programs do a good job of teaching the basic skills of being a librarian – how to catalog books, how to clarify a reference request, how to run a story hour. But as any working librarian will tell you, that’s not the half of it. A long-time library administrator, Elisabeth Doucett gives new librarians a full dose of practical advice and wisdom that remains between the lines of most library curriculum, while also teaching seasoned professionals a thing or two. Gleaned from years of hard-fought experience, this book
  • Covers a variety of library topics that are truly relevant to the day-to-day job, such as management, administration, and marketing
  • Shows how librarians can use practical business and organizational skills to do a better job and further their careers
  • Presents information in a grab-and-go format that’s ready to apply in the real world
For MLS graduates just entering the job market, as well as individuals interested in switching gears through promotion or advancement, Doucett offers the inside scoop on what a librarian really needs to know.

Table of Contents

No Shelf Required: E-Books in Libraries

No Shelf Required: E-Books in Libraries, edited by Sue Polanka, Chicago : American Library Association, 2011. 182 p.

From the publisher:
E-books have been around for more than 10 years but are still a relatively new phenomenon to many librarians and publishers. With the introduction of e-book readers, the e-book has become mainstream, with recent triple-digit annual increases in sales. But what place do they have in the library? In this volume, Sue Polanka brings together a variety of professionals to share their expertise about e-books with librarians and publishers. Providing forward-thinking ideas while remaining grounded in practical information that can be implemented in all kinds of libraries, the topics explored include:

  • An introduction to e-books, the different types, and an overview of their history and development
  • E-book technology: general features of interfaces and e-book readers, best practices for acquisition, data standards, and how to track usage
  • Why e-books are good for learning, and how librarians can market them to a wide range of users, as illustrated by case studies and examples
This collection is a must-read for librarians who wish to understand how e-books fit into today’s library.

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries

Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries (call # US NF 4.2 In8x)

The library’s role as a technology resource has increased dramatically, and now nearly every library in the country offers free access to computers and the Internet. Millions of people rely on library technology to find work, apply for college, secure government benefits, learn about critical medical treatments, and connect with their communities.

Unfortunately libraries are struggling to maintain the technology necessary to keep pace with demand. The University of Washington Information School, with funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, conducted this first of its kind, large-scale study of who uses public computers and Internet access in public libraries, the ways library patrons use this free technology service, why they use it, and how it affects their lives.

About the Report:
Title: Opportunity for All: How the American Public Benefits from Internet Access at U.S. Libraries (PDF, 2.57 MB, 212 pages)
Prepared by: University of Washington Information School and the Institute of Museum and Library Services
Date Published: March 2010

Thursday, October 7, 2010

Young Adults Deserve the Best (book)

Flowers, S. (2011). Young Adults Deserve the Best: YALSA's Competencies in Action. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.

As high school enrollment continues to rise, the need for effective librarianship serving young adults is greater than ever before. "Young Adults Deserve the Best: Competencies for Librarians Serving Youth,” developed by Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), is a document outlining areas of focus for providing quality library service in collaboration with teenagers. In this book, Sarah Flowers identifies and expands on these competency areas. This useful work includes
  • Anecdotes and success stories from the field
  • Guidelines which can be used to create evaluation instruments, determine staffing needs, and develop job descriptions
  • Additional professional resources following each chapter that will help librarians turn theory into practice
The first book to thoroughly expand on this important document, Young Adults Deserve the Best is a key foundational tool not only for librarians but also for young adult specialists, youth advocacy professionals, and school administrators.
(book description)

I Found it on the Internet (book)

Harris, F.J. (2011). I Found it on the Internet: Coming of Age Online (2nd ed.). Chicago, IL: American Library Association.

Today’s teens immerse themselves in the world of technology as never before. But texting, tweeting, chatting, blogging, and other social networking largely occur in a free-for-all environment of unbridled access; quality takes a backseat to quantity. To help librarians, educators, and parents step in to guide teens’ decision making, Frances Jacobson Harris offers a thoroughly updated edition of her classic book, including
  • Advice on how to help young people make good decisions, especially in such thorny areas as music and media sharing
  • Tools for formulating information and communication policies, with research and commentary on the latest technology
  • Practical ways of dealing with the problematic issues of hacking, cheating, privacy, harassment, and access to inappropriate content
Packed with timely information, Harris’s book remains the best resource for being an effective technology mentor for students.
(book description)

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Banned Books: Challenging Our Freedom to Read (book)

Doyle, R.P. (2010). Banned Books: Challenging Our Freedom to Read. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.

Celebrate your freedom to read!

Published every three years, this comprehensive book helps bookstores, libraries, and schools develop and organize their programs in support of the First Amendment. Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.

For more information about Banned Books Week, please visit www.ala.org/bbooks.

(book description)

Think for Yourself and Let Others Do the Same (supplement)

Doyle, R.P. (2010). Think for Yourself and Let Others Do the Same: Books Challenged or Banned in 2009-2010. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.

Celebrate your freedom to read!

The annual supplement to the Banned Books Resource Guide contains information on recent bans, challenges, and successes in libraries and schools nationwide. Banned Books Week highlights the benefits of free and open access to information while drawing attention to the harms of censorship by spotlighting actual or attempted bannings of books across the United States.

For more information about Banned Books Week, please visit www.ala.org/bbooks.

8.5" x 11"
8 pages

(supplement description)

Friday, September 24, 2010

Sears: Lista de Encabezamientos de Materia/ List of Subject Headings (Sears List of Subject Headings) (Spanish Edition)


Sears: Lista de Encabezamientos de Materia/ List of Subject Headings (Sears List of Subject Headings) (Spanish Edition). New York: H.W. Wilson, 2008. 025.49 Sears Spanish Version c.1 ISBN 978-0-8242-1058-8
This new Spanish-language thesaurus is an adaptation of the renowned Sears List of Subject Headings providing Spanish subject authorities for bibliographic control of books and other library materials It features over 9,000 subject headings and hundreds of general references with instructions for adding new headings as needed.
• Libraries can catalog Spanish or English materials with correct Spanish subject headings.
• Helps librarians serve their Spanish-speaking patrons by giving user-friendly subject access to their collections
Practical Tool for Libraries Serving Spanish-Speaking Populations
Sears: Lista de Encabezamientos de Materia includes:
• Every heading in the new 19th edition of the Sears List, translated according to the most current Spanish and Latin American usage. Even headings of specifically North American interest have been translated, to facilitate the application of Spanish subject access to English-language materials in the United States and Canada.
• Many headings of special interest to Spanish speakers, as well as hundreds of examples of Latin American national and geographic descriptors.

Monday, September 20, 2010

Young Adult Literature (book)

Cart, M. (2010). Young Adult Literature from Romance to Realism. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.

Today’s young adult literature is every bit as complex as the audience it’s written for, unflinchingly addressing such topics as homosexuality, mental illness, AIDS and drug abuse. In this much expanded revision of his 1996 book, veteran author Michael Cart shows how the best of contemporary YA lit has evolved to tackle such daunting subjects without resorting to sensationalism. He brings his historical survey of this category fully up to date, covering its explosive growth in the past decade, and advocating that librarians and teachers look beyond romance and horror when advising young adults. This survey helps YA librarians who want to freshen up their readers’ advisory skills, teachers who use novels in the classroom, and adult services librarians who increasingly find themselves addressing the queries of teen patrons by covering the
  • Reading habits of today’s teens
  • Influence of new technologies and formats
  • New YA lit awards
This insightful and often humorous work presents the evolution of YA lit in an appealing way, making it equally useful for students of literary studies. You’ll definitely update your recommended “to read” lists after a spin through Cart’s advisory. (book description)