Wednesday, April 21, 2010

Cataloging: Where are we now? Where are we going?

Cataloging: Where are we now? Where are we going? – Library Futures: Staying Ahead of the Curve. College of DuPage, February 19, 2010.

025.3 Catal (DVD)

Running time 1 hr and 30 min

Succession Planning In the Library: Developing Leaders, Managing Change



Singer, Paula M. with Gail Griffith. Succession Planning In the Library: Developing Leaders, Managing Change. Chicago: ALA, 2010. 025.1 Singe. ISBN 978-0838910368

Drawing on her expertise as a leading consultant on human resource issues in the library, Paula Singer addresses the often fraught issue of planning for change: not just at the top but at all levels of an organization. With Singer's help, administrators can: evaluate the readiness of their current administrative structure; identify the critical management and technical positions; project and plan for future vacancies; and, also identify the key competencies for critical positions. Readers will discover techniques for spotting potential leaders and encouraging professional growth of current staff.

Countdown to a New Library: Managing the Building Project



Woodward, Jeannette, 2nd ed. Countdown to a New Library: Managing the Building Project. Chicago: ALA, 2010. 022.3Woodw 2nd ed. ISBN 978-0838910122

Writing from the perspective of a librarian who has been through numerous building projects, Jeannette Woodward walks you through the process of overseeing the planning and construction of a building project. Packed with helpful checklists and worksheets, this revised edition includes: updated references, standards, materials, and resources; tips for efficient HVAC systems and evolving rules for LEED certification; and, information on new technological issues. Using hands-on tools and real-life insider stories from librarians around the country, this is a must-have crash course in planning and building today's libraries.

Essential Guide to Spanish Reading: Librarians’ Selections

Agusti, Lluis, ed. Essential Guide to Spanish Reading: Librarians’ Selections. Coral Gables, FL: Trade Commission of Spain, 2007. 025.527 Essen ISBN 978-0979606700

In Fall 2006, the America Reads Spanish campaign launched an on-line survey addressed to librarians in charge of Latin American collections in public, academic and research libraries in the U.S. to solicit recommendations for core Spanish language titles in fiction, poetry, theater, essays, reference works and children’s literature. From those recommendations, this bibliography lists 500 works essential to Spanish reading.

Developing an Outstanding Core Collection: A Guide for Libraries, 2nd Ed.


Alabaster, Carol. Developing an Outstanding Core Collection: A Guide for Libraries, 2nd Ed. Chicago: ALA, 2010. 025.2187473 Alaba 2nd ed. ISBN 978-0838910405

In this practical handbook, newly updated for 2010, Carol Alabaster focuses on developing a collection with high-quality materials while saving time and money. She addresses key collection development questions, including

What criteria are used to identify a core title?
What is the process for making selections?
How is a collection maintained and improved?
How are core titles tracked in the library's acquisition and circulation systems?

Packed with selection resources and sample core lists in seven subject areas, this soup-to-nuts manual will be useful whether you are starting from scratch or revitalizing an existing collection.

Public Library Services for the Poor: Doing All We Can


Holt, Leslie Edmonds and Holt, Glen E. Public Library Services for the Poor: Doing All We Can. Chicago: ALA, 2010. 027.6 Holt ISBN 978-0838910504

Among public institutions, the library has great potential for helping the poor and disenfranchised. For many, the library is the only refuge for information, literacy, entertainment, language skills, employment help, free computer use and even safety and shelter. Experts Glen and Leslie Holt, with decades of service to inner city communities between them, challenge librarians to do more for poor people. While recognizing the financial crunch libraries are under, the authors offer concrete advice about programs and support for this unique group, showing you how to

Train staff to meet the unique needs of the poor, including youth

Cooperate with other agencies in order to form partnerships and collaborations that enrich library services to the poor and homeless

Find help, financial and other, for your library

This ground-breaking work demonstrates how five Key Action Areas adopted by the ALA Council (Diversity, Equity of Access, Education and Continuous Learning, Intellectual Freedom, and 21st Century Literacy) apply especially to this disadvantaged population, and motivates librarians to use creative solutions to meet their needs.

The Reader’s Advisory Handbook


Moyer, Jessica and Stover, Kaite Mediatore, eds. The Reader’s Advisory Handbook. Chicago: ALA, 2010. 025.54 Reade ISBN 978-0-8389-1042-9

Readers' advisory has long ago sprinted past merely suggesting books to patrons; it now encompasses many different formats and means of communication--working with patrons of all types and ages, in and outside the actual library. To help harried librarians handle increased demand, experts Jessica Moyer and Kaite Stover assemble a group of specialists who have created a one-stop resource for all kinds of readers' advisory issues. Here you will find a trove of solid guidance, including:
* How to advise patrons on all kinds of media, from fiction and nonfiction to audiobooks, graphic novels and even reference materials
* How to provide services to senior citizens, teens and even readers who are incarcerated
* How to handle author visits and book groups
Covering everything from getting to know a library’s materials to marketing and promoting RA, this practical handbook will help you expand services immediately without adding costs or training time.

Summer Reading Program and Evidence



Shin, Fay H. and Krashen, Stephen D. Summer Reading Program and Evidence. Pearson: Boston, 2008. 028.55 Shin ISBN 978-0-205-50489-9

"Summer Reading is a timely look at the power of reading in the development of student literacy. It delivers a potent message to administrators, classroom teachers, reading specialists, and librarians to design summer reading programs based on a balanced view of reading instruction." --Sheila Bostrom, Brush Schools, Colorado Inspired by school-established summer reading camps designed to help struggling readers, Dr. Fay Shin and Dr. Stephen Krashen have built a research-based plan to guide schools in replicating this successful strategy. Written by two top scholars in literacy and ESL, Summer Reading: Program and Evidence provides a framework rooted in scientific data supporting how these programs succeed.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

The Tech-Savvy Booktalker: A Guide for 21st-Century Educators

Keane, Nancy J., and Terence W. Cavanaugh. The Tech-Savvy Booktalker: A Guide for 21st-Century Educators. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2009. Print. ISBN: 978-1-59158-637-1

To these authors, booktalking extends well beyond the traditional idea of getting in front of an audience with books in hand and short summaries or lures on the lips. They teach how to incorporate audio and video, and how to use technology to spice up text-driven "talks." The publisher notes this book is for grades 6 to 12, but I think younger students can apply many of these concepts, and certainly librarians and teachers in elementary schools can. -- Jen

The chapters cover these topics: Booktalking concepts -- Booktalk technology -- Text-based booktalks -- Creating or locating images -- Presentation booktalks -- Audio booktalks -- Creating or obtaining audio -- Video booktalks -- Booktalking kiosks -- Online resources for booktalks -- Assessment

From the Publisher's Description:
Want to add some pizzazz to your booktalks and motivate young readers? Here are simple but powerful ideas and instructions for integrating technology into your presentations, and using booktalks to launch learning across the curriculum. You'll discover how to use your existing technology to make enhanced booktalks to use with students-video, audio, and text; how to integrate the booktalks into the curriculum to meet standards; and how to extend the excitement with online book discussions. Lesson plans and a wealth of examples, strategies, and resource links make implementation a breeze. Grades 6-12.

Children's Books: A Practical Guide to Selection

Van Orden, Phyllis J., and Sunny Strong. Children's Books: A Practical Guide to Selection. New York: Neal-Schuman, 2007. Print. ISBN: 1-55570-584-7

So what makes one version of a fairy tale something to purchase and another version something to skip? What factors do you consider when deciding whether or not to order a certain nonfiction title? This book offers ways to make selection a more concrete process. Click here to see the full table of contents. -- Jen

From the Publisher's Description:

Make better book choices with more confidence!

So many books. So little time. So many needs. So little budget. If this describes your situation, here's a new book to help you approach book selection confidently and strategically. If you are new to the library environment, in charge of training new librarians or paraprofessionals, or looking for new ideas in collection development, this resource is a must-have. Phyllis Van Orden, a past president of both the Association for Library Services to Children and the Association for Library and Information Science Education, and Sunny Strong share their advice for:

• Establishing general criteria and following guidelines
• Choosing diverse material
• Using selection tools effectively
• Special selection criteria for specific genres, including picture books, fiction, genre fiction, folk literature, rhymes, and poetry
• Special guidelines for selecting particular subjects

You ’ll learn how to:

• Ask the right questions
• Probe the intellectual content of the subject
• Examine the worth (quality, value, merit) of a book
• Verify the bottom line --is it worth the price?

The School Library Media Facilities Planner

Hart, Thomas L. The School Library Media Facilities Planner. New York: Neal-Schuman, 2006. Print. ISBN: 1-55570-503-0

After browsing the book, I agree with the many positive reviews that this volume covers all the details, from forming a vision to moving into the new/renewed facility, in an easy-to-understand manner. Many figures and floor plans illustrate Hart's points, and there's an extensive appendix and index. The accompanying DVD has video tours of remodeled libraries, PowerPoints, and more. -- Jen

From the Publisher's Description:
This handbook shows librarians, media specialists, and educators how they can transform their school library or media facility into the knowledge center of their school. Tom Hart advocates re-designing school libraries so that they can impact students and set them on the path to future academic and professional success. Practical, step-by-step chapters cover facilities as they relate to teaching-learning, the knowledge center, open learning, information literacy, and the new goals for the knowledge society. Detailed guidance is offered for the facilities planning process (for both new and existing) including developing the team, needs assessment, planning documents, spatial relationships, special considerations, and the roles of library consultants and facilities planners. Readers learn to consider school demographics, program philosophy and goals, changes in information technology, patterns of use, collection size, programs and activities, equipment, location, climate and acoustical control, lighting, windows, doors, water, communications networks, storage and counter space, and more, in the design of their facilities. Important sections on working with architects and contractors and moving into a new facility protect library and librarians’ interests. The author includes exemplary facilities, success stories, problem scenarios, a glossary of terms, and appendices with model policies, procedures, and planning documents. The companion DVD includes a PowerPoint presentation, Real Player Video and Web style Text and Graphics with tours of facilities and additional planning information.

Collaborating with Administrators and Educational Support Staff

Farmer, Lesley S. J. Collaborating with Administrators and Educational
Support Staff
. New York: Neal-Schuman, 2007. Print. ISBN: 1-55570-572-3

This book was positively reviewed in School Library Journal (8/08), VOYA (10/07), and Booklist (7/07). The format is clear and logical, the writing is straightforward, and the author offers much about how to collaborate and how to evaluate the impact of collaborations. -- Jen

From the Publisher's Description:
Who stands at the hub of today ’s learning community? In many instances, it’s you, the library media specialist. Why? Because you work with students and teachers across all curricula, at all grade and ability levels, and across all subjects. This unique new resource gives you proven, practical techniques and strategies for reaching out to faculty and students …and then goes further to give you valuable suggestions for reaching out to other educational service providers, such as reading specialists, special education teachers, counselors, technology staff, and principals and other administrators. This breakthrough resource provides:

• An overview of how schools work--and how the media specialist fits into the larger organization
• The fundamentals of collaboration
• Tips for working with multiple levels of administrators
• Successful collaboration ideas for use with administrators, service personnel, school counselors, technology staff, pupil services staff, PE instructors, and those educators involved in co-curricular activities such as athletics, debate, science fairs, and more
• Techniques for assessing the effects of collaboration on student success, literacy, school impact, and more
• Advice for becoming a collaborative leader