Friday, September 27, 2013

Best New Media, K-12


Barr, Catherine. Best New Media, K-12: A Guide to Movies, Subscription Web Sites, and Educational Software and Games. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2008.
ISBN: 978-1-59158-467-4

Publisher's Description
The abundance of formats available today provides a rich learning environment but also poses challenges to librarians, teachers, and parents. This new volume in the respected Best Books series guides readers to the best movies, educational software and games, and subscription Web sites for children and teens. Entries feature full bibliographic information (including grade level), a descriptive annotation, and review citations. An introduction addresses selection, acquisition, cataloging, shelving, and security of new media. A great selection, collection development, and programming tool...Comments on best values are incorporated when appropriate. Extensive indexing makes access easy, and an introduction addresses selection, acquisitions, cataloguing, shelving, and security of new media. Grades K–12.

Table of Contents
Preface
Materials for Younger Children (Grades K-3)
Materials for Older Children (Grades 4-12)
Literary Forms
Language and Communication
Biography, Memoirs, Etc.
The Arts and Entertainment
History and Geography
Philosophy and Religion
Society and the Individual
Guidance and Personal Development
Physical and Applied Sciences
Recreation and Sports
Reference
Title Index
Subject Index

Thursday, September 19, 2013

Empowering Leadership




Martin, Ann M. Empowering Leadership: Developing Behaviors for Success. Chicago: American Association of School Librarians, 2013. ISBN: 978-0-8389-8657-8

Publisher's Description
This book takes the mystery out of leadership by illustrating the visible and invisible components of leadership. Essential questions, reflective strategies, and practical tips within each chapter will bring school librarians to their next level in leadership while they recognize the hidden leadership opportunities in daily tasks that are already central to the profession. Empowering Leadership offers lessons and examples to improve the leader within and encourage development of each librarian’s unique leadership style.

Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION

Section 1. People: What Do You Say to That?
Chapter 1. Knowing Your Customers
Chapter 2. Assessing and Approaching Power Brokers 
Chapter 3. Building Strong Partnerships 
Chapter 4. Consensus through Managing Complexity 

Section 2. Dispositions: Batman Saves the Day 
Chapter 5. Confidence 
Chapter 6. Coaching 
Chapter 7. Humor 
Chapter 8. Authenticity 

Section 3. Communication: Reserved for Parties of Three or More 
Chapter 9. Preparedness 
Chapter 10. Clarity 
Chapter 11. Silence 
Chapter 12. Results 

Section 4. Responsibilities: Follow the Leader 
Chapter 13. Visioning 
Chapter 14. Empowering 
Chapter 15. Decision Making 
Chapter 16. Recognizing Contributions 

Section 5. Self-Assessment: True North 
Chapter 17. Reflection 
Chapter 18. Innovation 
Chapter 19. Evidence-Based Practices 
Chapter 20. Understanding the Future 

CONCLUSION
Works Cited 

Appendix A. Index 
Appendix B. Learning4Life 
Appendix C. L4L Publications

Transforming Our Image, Building Our Brand


Gross, Valerie J. Transforming Our Image, Building Our Brand: The Education Advantage. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-59884-770-3

Publisher's Description
Those in the library profession have the power to permanently dispel all misperceptions about libraries, and be fully valued for what they do. How? By simply adopting a new approach that applies carefully selected words to enhance their perceived value, and to position libraries as the provider of what the world values most: education.

Transforming Our Image, Building Our Brand: The Education Advantage examines how the "Three Pillars" approach harnesses the power of language to enhance respect, generate increased perceived value, and garner funding. The power stems from positioning all that library professionals do under three, easy-to-remember "pillars," and replacing typical library terms and phrases with bold, value-enhanced terminology that commands value—language that people outside of the field can immediately understand. This book is essential reading for public library staff members at all levels of the organization, especially those in leadership roles; and its root concepts are applicable for all other library types as well.

Highlights
• Demonstrates how to heighten any library's visibility and stature
• Redefines libraries in a new, innovative way that conveys their true worth
• Aligns the library with what the community values most: education
• Teaches how to incorporate value-enhancing words into everyday lexicon
• Presents marketing strategies that can immediately be integrated into your work
• Provides guidance on introducing the “Three Pillars” philosophy and strategic vocabulary concepts to your staff, board, elected officials, and community
 
Sample Topics
Advocacy
Branding
Community Education
Curriculum
Leadership
Management/Administration
Marketing
Public Relations
Strategic Planning
Vision/Mission

Moving Library Collections




Habich, Elizabeth C. Moving Library Collections: A Management Handbook. 2nd ed. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2010. ISBN: 978-1-59158-670-8

Publisher's Description
Published over a decade ago, the first edition of Moving Library Collections was hailed as invaluable and long overdue by, among others, Booklist, Library Talk, and College and Research Libraries. Now, this must-have resource returns in a fully updated new edition, to help today’s librarians think through the issues, explore the options, and avoid the pitfalls of orchestrating a library move.

Again based on data from over 100 library moves, Moving Library Collections: A Management Handbook, Second Edition is written from the perspective of today’s library, with added guidance for dealing with larger holdings of electronic resources, as well as space limitations in storage and on the shelves. There is also updated coverage of average book widths, using project management software, and moving archival materials, as well as special guidelines for small libraries.

Features
• Provides 84 illustrations including sample forms, spreadsheets, “how-to” drawings illustrations, operations analysis charts, tables, and more
• Includes an updated annotated bibliography of over 230 articles, books, and websites related to library moves and their planning

Highlights
• Updates the highly acclaimed resource on library moves with more coverage of electronic holdings, dealing with space limitations, small libraries, and more
• Covers all types and sizes of moves, from small collections to entire libraries
• Draws extensively on the experiences—good and bad—of others involved in moving library collections

iPads in the Library


Nichols, Joel A. iPads® in the Library: Using Tablet Technology to Enhance Programs for All Ages. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-61069-347-9

Publisher's Description
This book provides detailed plans and instructions with specific literacy goals for child, teen, and adult audiences—exactly what librarians seeking to integrate iPad and other tablet use into their programs need.

Tablet computers are fast becoming a ubiquitous technology. These devices also represent a unique opportunity for librarians and teachers because they are relatively affordable, easy to configure and maintain, and highly adaptable. Written by a practicing digital literacy instruction librarian who is also a trained children's librarian, this book offers 50 practical programming scenarios that librarians can use to integrate iPads or other tablet devices into their programming, offering different plans for toddlers and pre-K child, school-aged patrons, teenagers, adults, and even seniors.

The plans provide easy-to-follow, step-by-step instructions and are designed to be easily adaptable to serve specific audiences. The book serves as a unique resource that helps librarians address digital literacy and bridge the digital divide by focusing on—and catering to—the needs of many age groups. Author Joel A. Nichols also provides annotated lists of apps that present librarians new to tablet computing simple and effective ways of integrating an iPad into their programs.

Features
• Supplies technology programs for young children targeting early literacy skills, and for grade school and middle school-aged children, with a special focus on STEM skills
• Includes programs for adult groups including non-English speakers, job-seekers, and genealogy enthusiasts
• Covers 100 essential apps for library programming in an annotated list
• Provides an annotated list of app review resources for selection
• Blends digital content and delivery with traditional, analogue library services in the versatile supplied plans

Sample Topics
Children's Technology
Digital Literacy
Digital Storytelling
Early Literacy and Pre-Literacy
Hanging Out Messing Around Geeking Out (HoMaGo) Programs
iPods and iOS
Outreach Programs
Tablet Computing
Technology Programs for Seniors
Teen Media Creation

Integrating Young Adult Literature through the Common Core




Wadham, Rachel L., and Jonathan W. Ostenson. Integrating Young Adult Literature through the Common Core Standards. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-61069-118-5

Note: The Oregon State Library also has the related book, Integrating Children's Literature through the Common Core State Standards.

Publisher's Description
This book advocates for a stronger role for young-adult literature in ELA classrooms, compellingly documenting how this body of work meets both the needs of adolescent students and the demands of the common core for complex texts and tasks.

The first part of the book addresses the widely adopted common core state standards by examining closely the standards' model of text complexity and demonstrating how young adult literature can fill the requirements of this model. The second part provides theoretical discussions and analysis of the standards as well as concrete applications of young adult literature within the classroom in order to give school professionals a comprehensive understanding of how young adult literature and the standards can work together. The book empowers schools and teachers to make intelligent, informed decisions about texts and instructional practices that benefit their students.

Finally, the authors explore a powerful teaching approach that integrates current understandings about learning, young adult literature, and the common core standards in a way that will facilitate greater learning and understanding in English classrooms.

Highlights
• Presents a thorough exploration and critique of the CCSS model for text complexity, including analysis of the quantitative and quantitative measures as well as the reader and text dimensions
• Supplies a fully explicated model for using qualitative elements to evaluate the complexity of literary texts, a subject inadequately addressed in the common core documents and other literature
• Comprehensively analyzes 15 recent young adult titles, demonstrating how to effectively apply the CCSS model
• Provides an explication of inquiry learning, a teaching approach well-suited to integrating young-adult literature and the common core expectations, including a detailed model unit plan
• Includes numerous resources and text lists to help teachers plan meaningful learning units using inquiry approaches and young adult literature

Sample Topics
Adolescent Readers
Common Core State Standards
Inquiry Learning
Instructional Tasks
Instructional Text Selection
Qualitative Measures of Text Complexity
Quantitative Measures of Text Complexity
Readability
Unit Planning
Young Adult Literature

Best Books for Middle School and Junior High



Barr, Catherine. Best Books for Middle School and Junior High School Readers, Grades 6-9. 3rd ed. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-59884-782-6


Publisher's Description
Now thoroughly updated to include the latest best books, this essential resource for middle school and junior high school libraries and public libraries supplies information on more than 11,000 in-print titles, most of which have been recommended in at least two reviewing journals. It retains its simple, thematic organization that makes finding the right book easy—for librarians, teachers, and parents alike. And its inclusion of thousands of nonfiction titles helps today's educators meet the Common Core standards.

Presented in the same great format as previous editions, this third edition remains an indispensible resource for identifying the right book for any individual reader's preferences, needs, or interests; and for creating reading lists that support curricular needs and thematic library programs. It is also an essential tool for evaluating and developing the library collection. The entries provide annotations with succinct plot summaries, ISBNs, book length, price, reading level, and review citations; and indicate Lexile levels, as well as titles that are available in audio format or as an eBook version.

Features
• Supplies concise, lively annotations and review citations on everything from literary classics and non-fiction titles to graphic novels
• Provides quick access to information for both library staff and patrons with thematic, curriculum-oriented organization and clear subject breakdowns
• Indicates which books are also available in audio format and in eBook format—valuable information for collection development and reading specialists
• Identifies award-winning and series titles

Sample Topics
Adventurers and Explorers
Astronomy and Space Science
Biography and Memoirs
Citizenship and Civil Rights
Geology and Geography
Guidance and Personal Development
Health and the Human Body
Historical Fiction and Foreign Lands
Sports and Games
World History and Geography

Best Books for High School Readers (3rd ed)


Barr, Catherine. Best Books for High School Readers, Grades 9-12. 3rd ed. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2013.
ISBN: 978-1-59884-784-0

Publisher's Description
Now in its third edition, this essential resource supplies information on more than 11,000 in-print titles—most of which have been recommended in at least two reviewing journals—suitable for high school and public libraries. With its simple, thematic organization and user-friendly subject terms, it makes finding the right book easy—for librarians, teachers, and parents alike. And its inclusion of thousands of non-fiction titles helps today's educators meet the Common Core standards.

This updated edition of Best Books for High School Readers, Grades 9–12 remains an indispensable resource for identifying the right book for an individual high school student's preferences, needs, or interests, and for creating reading lists for curricular and thematic library programs. It is also an essential tool for evaluating and developing the library collection. The entries provide annotations with succinct plot summaries, ISBNs, book length, price, reading level, and review citations; and indicate Lexile levels, as well as titles that are available in audio format or as an eBook version.

Features
• Supplies concise, lively annotations and review citations on everything from literary classics and non-fiction titles to graphic novels
• Provides quick access to information for both library staff and patrons with thematic, curriculum-oriented organization and clear subject breakdowns
• Indicates which books are also available in audio format and in eBook format—valuable information for collection development and reading specialists
• Identifies award-winning and series titles

Sample Topics
Adventure and Survival Stories
Biography and Memoirs
Careers and Occupational Guidance
Civil and Human Rights
Contemporary Life and Problems
History and Geography
Horror Stories and the Supernatural
Painting, Sculpture, and Photography
Physical and Applied Sciences
Sports and Games

Best Books for Children



Barr, Catherine, and John T. Gillespie. Best Books for Children: Preschool through Grade 6. 9th ed. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2010. ISBN: 978-1-59158-575-6

Barr, Catherine. Best Books for Children: Preschool through Grade 6. Supplement to the 9th ed. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2013. ISBN: 978-1-59884-780-2

Publisher's Description
This book is the newest edition of the acclaimed guide to the best recreational and educational reading for children in preschool through grade 6.

This indispensable selection guide brings together information on nearly 25,000 of the best fiction and nonfiction for children in preschool through grade 6. Fully updated, including thousands of new entries published since the previous edition, it is an invaluable resource for making sure your children's collection is one your young patrons—and their parents and teachers—will enjoy.

As always in the Best Books series, the authors have carefully culled the most trusted professional review sources to identify the most highly recommended new books for children. Brief annotations, bibliographic data, grade level appropriateness, and review citations help you identify books of high quality, while the book's topical arrangement makes it easy to create theme- and genre-based reading lists. New features include indication of titles available in audio and, where available, lexiles.

Features
• 25,000 annotated entries on recommended children’s books
• Helpful indexes, including author/illustrator, title, and subject/grade level
• Thousands of new entries since the previous edition

Highlights
• Draws recommendations for books from a wide range of trusted review journals
• Helps librarians build reading lists based on themes and genres

Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Forming and Funding Public Library Foundations



Goldberg, Benjamin.  Forming and Funding Public Library Foundations. 2nd ed.  PLA, 2004.  025.11 Clow  ISBN 978-0-8389-8269-3

Covers the basics of forming a library foundation. Includes private vs. public foundations, choosing a board, articles of incorporation, bylaws and more.

Monday, September 16, 2013

Twenty-first Century Access Services on the Front Line of Academic Librarianship

Krasulski, Michael J. and Trevor A. Dawes (eds.) Twenty-first Century Access Services on the Front Line of Academic Librarianship. Association of College and Research Libraries, 2013. ISBN: 978-083898666-0



Description
Circulation of library materials in academic libraries has evolved into a much broader suite of  services known by the terms "access services". Today’s access services departments are expanding their portfolios to include electronic reserves (e-reserves), increased cooperative and shared services, facilities management, assessment initiatives, e-book lending initiatives and copyright management. As noted by James Neal in the book's forward,  this book "defines the hybrid qualities that characterize the suite of services that have bridged analog and electronic content, physical and virtual space, and self-sufficient and radically collaborative and collective relationships among libraries."

Table of Contents
Foreword 
James G. Neal

Introduction
Michael J. Krasulski and Trevor A. Dawes 
Part 1 Core Access Services 

Chapter 1 Circulation 
Karen Glover

Chapter 2 Stacks Management 
David W. Bottorff

Part 2 Access Services beyond Circulation 

Chapter 3 Interlibrary Loan and Document Delivery 
Tom Bruno

Chapter 4 Course Reserves Management 
Brice Austin

Chapter 5 Building Management
Responsibilities for Access Services 
David W. Bottorff, Katherine Furlong, and David McCaslin

Chapter 6 Emerging Technologies and Spaces in Access Services 
Katherine Furlong and David McCaslin

Part 3 Special Topics in Access Services 

Chapter 7 Access Services within Campus and Library Organizations 
Stephanie Atkins Sharpe

Chapter 8 Access Services Department Organization 
Brad Warren

Chapter 9 Access Services and the Success of the Academic Library
Nora Dethloff and Paul Sharpe

Chapter 10 Assessing and Benchmarking Access Services 
David K. Larsen

Chapter 11 The Kept-Up Access Services Professional 
Michael J. Krasulski

Conclusion 

The Changing Academic Library



“The Changing Academic Library, Second Edition: Operations, Cultures, and Environments” by John M. Budd.
Budd, John M. The Changing Academic Library: Operations, Culture, Environments. 2nd ed. Association of College and Research Libraries, ALA, 2012. ISBN: 978-0-8389-8509-0



Description

Originally published in 2005, Professor John Budd takes an updated look at the major changes experienced in academic libraries. Coverage includes a historical overview of higher education and academic libraries in the US; the organizational culture of higher education; the governance structure in colleges and universities; organization and management of academic libraries; library budgets; changes in scholarly communication; the collection; electronic information; the impact of the community; the academic librarian; and future concerns. The book is intended to stimulate conversation about the direction of instruction in the use of information into the future.

Thursday, September 12, 2013

The Discipline of Organizing



Glushko, Robert J. ed.  The Discipline of Organizing.  Cambridge, MA: MIT Press, 2013.  025 Disci   ISBN: 978-0262518505



Organizing is such a common activity that we often do it without thinking much about it. In our daily lives we organize physical things--books on shelves, cutlery in kitchen drawers--and digital things--Web pages, MP3 files, scientific datasets. Millions of people create and browse Web sites, blog, tag, tweet, and upload and download content of all media types without thinking "I'm organizing now" or "I'm retrieving now."
This book offers a framework for the theory and practice of organizing that integrates information organization (IO) and information retrieval (IR), bridging the disciplinary chasms between Library and Information Science and Computer Science, each of which views and teaches IO and IR as separate topics and in substantially different ways. It introduces the unifying concept of an Organizing System--an intentionally arranged collection of resources and the interactions they support--and then explains the key concepts and challenges in the design and deployment of Organizing Systems in many domains, including libraries, museums, business information systems, personal information management, and social computing. Intended for classroom use or as a professional reference, the book covers the activities common to all organizing systems: identifying resources to be organized; organizing resources by describing and classifying them; designing resource-based interactions; and maintaining resources and organization over time. The book is extensively annotated with disciplinary-specific notes to ground it with relevant concepts and references of library science, computing, cognitive science, law, and business.


Board Fundamentals: Understanding Roles in Nonprofit Governance. 2nd ed.


Lakey, Berit M. PhD.  Board Fundamentals: Understanding Roles in Nonprofit Governance. 2nd ed. Washington, D.C.: BoardSource, 2010.  658.422 LakeyB    ISBN: 978-1586861209



What is governance? What is the role of the board? What is expected of board members? And how does an effective board operate? Board Fundamentals answers these questions and more. The book is for new board members in need of an introduction to the principles of nonprofit governance experienced board members in need of a refresher and new ideas chief executives -- as well as senior staff who interact with the board -- who want to better understand their and the board's roles and responsibilities ...and is the perfect vehicle for opening a conversation between the board and the chief executive about their respective roles in organizational governance. Within its pages, you will find a description of the nonprofit sector, a discussion of the concept of governance (something that seems murky to many people new to this type of service), an in-depth look at the key governance roles and responsibilities of the board and the individuals involved in organizational governance, and suggestions on how the board can most effectively carry out its responsibilities. At the end of each chapter, there is a set of questions designed to engage your board in an exploration of its practices. Boards that raise these questions in their board meetings are sometimes surprised by the answers and should use the opportunity to discuss how they can improve their governance.