Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Library Management 101: A Practical Guide



Velasquez, Diane L. ed.  Library Management 101: A Practical Guide.  Chicago: ALA, 2013.  025.1 Libra   ISBN 9780838911488

Knowing the principles of general management is both useful and necessary for LIS students, but it s no less important to learn management techniques specific to the world of libraries. Created to fill a surprising educational void, this edited volume focuses on best practices from library management experts teaching in LIS programs across the country. Among the many topics discussed are
·        Classic and modern theories of management, and how they apply to the library
·        Human resource planning
·        Marketing and public relations
·        Negotiations, mediation, and financial management of the library
·        Facilities management
In addition to providing students with a solid foundation in library management, experienced managers will also benefit from the structured, practical knowledge included in this impressive volume.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Every Child Ready for School

Stoltz, Dorothy, Elaine M. Czarnecki, and Connie Wilson. Every Child Ready for School: Helping Adults Inspire Young Children to Learn. Chicago: ALA Editions, 2013. ISBN: 978-0-8389-1125-9 
 
Publisher's Description
The topic of early literacy continues to gain momentum in educational circles. But early literacy storytimes are only one way libraries can contribute. The authors of this innovative training handbook offer many more. Reflecting the combined expertise of a reading specialist, an outreach librarian, and an early literacy trainer, Every Child Ready for School keeps libraries at the forefront of early literacy and school readiness information delivery. Focusing on training the caregiver, this handbook
  • Explains how to help day-care providers, homeschoolers, and others who care for young children foster school-readiness skills among their charges
  • Arms librarians with a step-by-step workshop model, with tips on implementing and evaluating the program
  • Provides guidance for coordinating workshops with other library early literacy initiatives
  • Includes resources and activities to share with participants
Presenting models which can be easily adapted to state-mandated school-readiness requirements, Every Child Ready for School helps libraries fashion their own innovative community early literacy outreach programs. 

Table of Contents

Enhancing Teaching and Learning, 3rd Ed.

Donham, John. Enhancing Teaching and Learning: A Leadership Guide for School Librarians. 3rd ed. Chicago: ALA Neal-Schuman, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-55570-887-0

Publisher's Description
This new edition of a classic shows how to take a proactive role in shaping instruction by learning how to develop and implement a library media program and integrate it into the total educational experience. Revised and updated, Donham’s third edition covers all aspects of the school system: students, curriculum and instruction, principals, district administration, and the community. It demonstrates how to interact and collaborate in order to integrate the school library media program throughout these environments. This new edition offers
  • Real-life examples of issues in school librarianship
  • Current statistics and research results on early learning, child poverty, and other topics
  • A new chapter on "the virtual school library"
  • Expanded coverage of nonfiction and complex texts
Readers will benefit from this complete coverage of the school environment--common staff structures, budget issues, and more.

Table of Contents

Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion



Burke, John J. Neal Schuman Library Technology Companion. 4th edition. Neal-Schuman, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-55570-915-0

Description
The fourth edition of Burke's comprehensive resource, newly revised and updated, is a primer for any current or future library professional looking to stay at the forefront of technological advancement. This all-in-one guide helps readers stay connected to the latest library technology topics and tools.

Table of Contents

Part I: Library Technology Basics
Chapter 1. What the Folks in the Trenches Know That You Should Too
Chapter 2. The History of Information Technology in Libraries
Chapter 3. How to Find Information on Library Technologies
Chapter 4. Evaluating, Buying, and Implementing Technology

Part II: Technology Tools for Libraries
Chapter 5. Computers in Libraries: Desktops, Laptops, Mobile Devices, and Office Applications
Chapter 6. Computer Communication in Libraries: The Internet, Wi-Fi, and E-mail
Chapter 7. Whither the Library Catalog? Library Systems, Discovery Layers, and Open-Source Options
Chapter 8. Storage Devices in Libraries: Magnetic Media and Our Old Friend Paper
Chapter 9. Library Databases and Electronic Resources: Full-Text Periodicals, E-books, and E-reference Collections
Chapter 10. The Internet’s Impact on Finding Information: A Is for Amazon, G Is for Google
Chapter 11. Web 2.0 and Libraries: Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Skype

Part III: How Libraries Put Technology to Work
Chapter 12. Meeting and Supporting Patron Technology Needs: Universal Design and Adaptive/Assistive Technology
Chapter 13. Library 2.0 and the Library: Virtual Reference, Blogs, and Usability
Chapter 14. How Library Staff Learn and Teach: Screencasts, Distance Learning, and Learning Management Systems

Part IV: Building and Maintaining the Technology Environment in Libraries
Chapter 15. Protecting Technology and Technology Users: Spam, Spyware, and Security Strips
Chapter 16. When Things Fall Apart: Troubleshooting Tips for Every Technology User
Chapter 17. Building the Technology Environment: Ergonomics, Infrastructure, and Gaming

Part V: Where Library Technology Is Going and How to Get There
Chapter 18. Writing a Technology Plan
Chapter 19. Our Technological Future: Ranganathan Meets Googlezon

Friday, July 5, 2013

Teen Craft Projects 2 (book)


Coleman, T. & Llanes, P. (2013) Teen Craft Projects 2. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.

From the authors of the enormously popular Hipster Librarian’s Guide to Teen Craft Projects comes an all-new selection of innovative ideas. These projects have been chosen especially to engage tweens and teens—and have been field-tested by YA librarian Amy Alessio’s Teen Corps, students in grades 6–12 at the Schaumburg Township (IL) Public Library. For maximum fun, this book
  • Includes a variety of crafts that make use of recycled and repurposed materials
  • Lists the tools and equipment needed for each project, followed by step-by-step instructions and photographs
  • Assigns a difficulty level, ideal group size, and suggests a timeframe for each activity
  • Offers several “Quick-fire” options to fit crafting into shorter time slots
With numerous projects easy enough to be assembled in the library either by groups or someone working alone, this book will get YA librarians, educators, and their students whipping up creative crafts in no time!
(book description)

Storytimes for Everyone (book)



Ghoting, S.N. & Martin-Diaz, P. (2013). Storytimes for Everyone: Developing Young Children's Language and Literacy. Chicago, IL: American Library Association.

Recognizing that informed, caring adults are critical to supporting early literacy development, Storytimes for Everyone! builds on the concepts introduced in the second edition of the Every Child Ready to Read® initiative to offer practical suggestions for incorporating early literacy information and strategies into the storytime setting. Early literacy experts Ghoting and Martin-Díaz, coauthors of the best-selling Early Literacy Storytimes @ your library® demonstrate how parents and caregivers, children with their eyes and minds wide open, and the storytime presenter can come together to create a storytime that is informative and, most of all, fun. Presenting a variety of songs, projects, and activities, their book
  • Explains how young children develop knowledge critical for reading comprehension
  • Discusses five vital storytime practices (singing, talking, reading, writing, and playing), which adults can be taught to use at home
  • Presents dozens of storytimes for babies/toddlers, twos, and preschoolers, that engage adults while keeping their children in focus
  • Addresses how young bilingual children acquire language, and other current research
This book can be used at the library, at home, or anywhere else storytimes take place.
 (book description)

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

School Librarian's Career Planner

Weisburg, Hilda K. School Librarian's Career Planner. Chicago: ALA Editions, 2013. ISBN: 978-0-8389-1178-5

Publisher's Description
In theory if not in practice, traditional school library career planning went something like this: get a degree, find a job, work towards tenure, then remain in the same district until retirement. If that was ever actually the case, it certainly isn't any longer. School librarians know that making smart choices and planning strategically are the best ways to create a career that is both within their control and professionally fulfilling. This practical, hands-on book covers the multifaceted aspects of how school librarians can successfully carve out a unique niche within the educational community, showing readers how to
  • Present themselves to stakeholders, from the first interview through day-to-day job duties
  • Learn the workings of the school and district while  demonstrating expertise
  • Develop the management skills needed to assume various leadership positions, both official and unofficial
  • Stay current with developments in pedagogy and technology, and incorporate them into the fabric of the school
  • Prepare for possible changes due to staff cuts or a personal decision
For both long-time school librarians, as well as those who have recently entered the profession with a background in education, Weisburg’s guide will be an invaluable resource for navigating their career path.

Table of Contents
Introduction
Chapter 1: Getting Your First Job in the Field
Chapter 2: Acing the Interview
Chapter 3 : Selecting the Right Job
Chapter 4 : Mastering the Learning Curve
Chapter 5 : Growing Your Career
Chapter 6 : Polishing Your Skills
Chapter 7 : Moving Outwards
Chapter 8 : Taking Charge
Chapter 9 : Moving On
Index

Tuesday, July 2, 2013

RDA and Serials Cataloging




Jones, Ed. RDA and Serials Cataloging. ALA Editions, 2013. ISBN: 978-0-8389-1139-6

Serials and continuing resources present a variety of unique challenges in bibliographic management, from special issues and unnumbered supplements to recording the changes that a long-running periodical can experience over time. Easing catalogers through the RDA: Resource Description and Access transition by showing the continuity with past practice, serials cataloging expert Jones frames the practice within the structure of the FRBR and FRAD conceptual models on which RDA is based.  With serials’ special considerations in mind, he
  • Explains the familiarities and differences between AACR2 and RDA
  • Demonstrates how serials catalogers’ work fits in the cooperative context of OCLC, CONSER and NACO
  • Presents examples of how RDA records can ultimately engage with the Semantic Web
Occasional serials catalogers and specialists alike will find useful advice here as they explore the structure of the new cataloging framework.

Artsy Toddler Storytimes (book)






Hopkins, C.G. (2013). Artsy Toddler Storytimes: A Year's Worth of Ready-To-Go Programming. Chicago, IL: Neal-Schuman.

For toddlers, every storytime can be a new adventure, while art activities are important for developing impulse control, hand-eye coordination, and fine motor dexterity in the hands. Hopkins’ new book fuses them together. Designed for children ages 1 to 3 years old, the book’s 52 storytimes promote pre-reading skills such as print motivation, vocabulary, and narrative skills. Based on themes familiar to children, including bears, bugs, springtime,clothing and hats, flowers and gardens, weather, music, pets, transportation, pirates, and many more, each storytime includes a list of books, action songs or rhymes along with their words, a flannelboard experience, plus instruction for two to three art activities. This complete toddler storytime resource also includes

  • An introduction which discusses the differences between art activities and craft activities, a toddler’s ability in creating art, and why children this age should be exposed to art activities
  • Advice for using different art mediums, such as food, plus important safety considerations
  • Pointers on conducting playful yet educational storytimes  
  • Tips for finding inexpensive art materials, with a list of recommended supplies to keep on hand
  • More than 100 drawings, all easy to reproduce and modify
  • Weblinks to “Artsy Helper Sheets,” downloadable supplements complete with phrases, tips, and tricks that inform parents and caregivers about the benefits of doing art activities with toddlers
Pick up Hopkins' book and you'll be ready to conduct a storytime within moments!

(book description)