The Small and Rural Academic Library: Leveraging Resources and Overcoming Limitations

The Small and Rural Academic Library: Leveraging Resources and Overcoming Limitations, edited by Kaetrena Davis Kendrick and Deborah Tritt. ACRL, 2016. 978-0-8389-8900-5.

Publisher's Description
Small and rural academic libraries struggle with a unique set of technological and institutional barriers—tight budgets, stagnant salaries, small staff, and limited access to current technologies can prevent these active academic librarians from fully participating in professional development. Feelings of isolation, concerns about institutional support, and worries about the perception of the LIS profession within the community can also be issues.

Through the use of case studies, research, and practical interviews, The Small or Rural Academic Library: Leveraging Resources and Overcoming Limitations explores how academic librarians in such environments can keep pace with, create, and improve modern library practices and services, network with colleagues, and access continuing education and professional development opportunities. Additionally, this book acts as a resource on matters of human resources and management concerns that are unique to LIS professionals and paraprofessionals who serve at small campuses and in rural communities.

More Information
See the publisher's website for table of contents and editor information.

Small Libraries, Big Impact

Du, Yunfei. Small Libraries, Big Impact. Libraries Unlimited, 2016. ISBN: 978-1-4408-4156-9

Description
The challenge is substantial: library managers today must adopt a new mindset in order to perform a broad spectrum of activities and attract new users who are not traditional library patrons. Small Libraries, Big Impact: How to Better Serve Your Community in the Digital Age helps readers to meet the challenge of serving diverse users via a community-centered library.

Table of Contents

• Libraries, users, and communities : an introduction
• Improving community outreach
• Supporting social justice and rights of access to information
• Effecting social transition
• Nourishing diversity
• Fostering collaboration and entrepreneurship
• Using outreach as marketing tool
• Bridging the digital divide
• Re-envisioning library spaces
• Assessing user needs and improving user services.

Crash Course in Children's Services 2nd Ed. (book)

Peck, Penny. (2014). Crash Course in Children's Services, 2nd Edition. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited. 978-1-61069-781-1.

A basic explanation of children's services for persons working in small libraries with limited staff. Tips include conducting reference interviews, handling homework centers, building collections, and planning storytimes. Sources of help are provided with age-appropriate themes and activities. Working with parents and teachers can be a major assignment for the children's librarian. Programming information includes how to conduct tours for school groups and summer reading programs. How to partner with others to share ideas for summer programs is suggested. Providing book discussion groups for students is one method to keep them reading. Issues in providing children's services are detailed.

Children need public library services. Even in small rural libraries managed by small staffs, children's services are critical. This handbook gives practical advice on performing essential duties in the Children's Room of the public library. The tone is how to with little theory, but providing the fundamentals of day-to-day services. Tips are given on reference service including the reference interview, a simple overview of child development, and tips for assisting parents and teachers. Hints are given for managing children who are in the library to do homework or to wait until they are collected by a parent or caregiver. A chapter is given on how to help children find recreational reading, how to market the library, and useful Web sites.

 (book description)

Reading With The Stars: A Celebration of Books and Libraries

Kniffel, Leonard. Reading With The Stars: A Celebration of Books and Libraries. Chicago: ALA, 2011. 027 Kniff

ISBN 978-0-8389-3598-9

American Libraries editor in chief Leonard Kniffel offers a compelling collection of interviews with prominent figures--all of whom have special connections to libraries. From President Barack Obama to actress Julie Andrews; from basketball star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar to former First Lady and librarian Laura Bush and many others, stars of literature, politics, entertainment, and the public arena speak with Kniffel about the ways libraries have been critical in their lives. Other highlights of this delightful volume
· TV icon Oprah Winfrey talks about library books as "her pass to personal freedom"
· Hard-boiled wordsmith David Mamet claims the public library as his "alma mater"
· Software mogul Bill Gates discusses his groundbreaking library computerization project and why he feels libraries are an important focus of his investment
· Former Vice President Al Gore addresses the "information ecosystem," including how libraries contribute to the informed citizenry that's required to manage today's challenges
With plenty to engage library advocates as well as casual readers, Reading with the Stars offers proof positive that libraries and librarians continue to perform vital services and hold a place of honor.

From Thibodaux to Tucumcari: Family Literacy in Rural Libraries

Turner, M. & Kober, N. (1998). From Thibodaux to Tucumcari: Family Literacy in Rural Libraries. Washington, D.C.: Center for the Book.

This report on the Viburnum Family Literacy Project discusses what makes library-based family literacy programs work, and how policy makers, grantmakers, and community leaders can collaborate to promote family literacy in rural areas.
--taken from the inside cover of the report.

Crash course in teen services (book)

Miller, D.P. (2008). Crash course in teen services. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

Drawing on her experience as a librarian in both schools and public libraries, Miller provides sound guidance....[P]rovides quick and useful information to new librarians and staff working with teens, and it is especially helpful to those working in smaller public libraries, where resources and funding is often limited. The book may also be useful for providing an administrator with a quick overview of the requirements and benefits of a teen program. The down-to-earth manner and sensible approach make this book widely accessible. (VOYA June 2008)

Songs and Rhymes Readers Theater (book)

Fredericks, A.D. (2008). Songs and rhymes readers theater for beginning readers. Libraries Unlimited.

Kids love music and rhymes; literacy often begins that way. Singing nursery and other rhymes, pairing the song with books is a proven way to begin reading instruction and it is fun! Primary teachers and their librarians love to play rhyming and singing games often accompanied by hand and body motions. Out of requests from teachers and librarians attending his workshops, Tony Fredericks presents this readers theatre book for young readers, grades 1-2, built on the songs and rhymes that they already love and know. Scripts built around such rhymes and songs as: The Itsy, Bitsy Spider, The Farmer in the Dell, Hush, Little Baby, If You're Happy and You Know It, and I'm a Little Teapot will encourage kids to read the scripts, all the while building reading fluency. As in Fredericks' other books for the beginning reader, this book furnishes presentation suggestions, rationale for using readers theatre, and readability information, as well as ideas for movement and dance. (Book Description)

Libros Esenciales (book)

Wadham, T. (2007). Libros esenciales: Building, marketing, and programming a core collection of Spanish language children’s materials. Neal-Schuman Publishers.

The essential book to help you reach Spanish-speaking children and create bilingual storytimes. Tim Wadham, author of the "highly recommended" (REFORMA) and "invaluable" (Booklist) how-to, Programming with Latino Children's Materials (1999), returns with this all new guide for children's and school librarians. He provides a core collection of over 100+ titles including board books, picture books, short chapter fiction, novels, poetry, and nonfiction ideal for serving toddlers to teens. Wadham shares authoritative advice for selecting Spanish titles including: an overview of the market, key elements to consider, review sources, and tips for authoring collection development. There is a wealth of programming ideas that may be used with the recommended core collection or adapted for other books. Wadham offers tips for marketing to your community and increasing circulation for these important titles. This unique resource also includes a guide to publishers and vendors and lists of award-winning books. Whether you are serving a Hispanic community,looking for ways to present bilingual programs,or building a newmulticultural collection, Libros Essenciales is an invaluable, comprehensive guide. (Book Description)

Graphic Novels for Children and Tweens (book)

Serchay, D.S. (2008). The librarian’s guide to graphic novels for children and tweens. Neal-Schuman Publishers.

Graphic novels tell the stories, star the heroes (real and fictional) and address the issues relevant to youngsters and tweens in a style that holds their interest and keeps them coming back for more! More than merely comic books-and not always rated "PG"-they have an important educational component as well. In addition to being great for readers who are challenged by large chunks of text, graphic novels take advantage of the flexibility of nimble young minds that have grown up immersed in a multimedia world. Make no mistake, these works are not easy reads-they demand all the language and literacy skills educators strive to instill in their students, including: active decoding, comprehension, fluency, vocabulary building, sequencing and more.

This must-have resource on developing your collection of this important format will give you a wealth of tips and practical advice about buying, recommending, cataloging, and shelving. Youth services specialist David Serchay shares the insights of librarians, media specialists, and vendors around the country about how best to build and manage graphic novel collections. You'll find this guide's annotated list of highly recommended titles invaluable. (Book Description)

Connecting With Reluctant Teen Readers (book)

Jone, P., Hatman, M.L., & Taylor, P. (2006). Connecting with reluctant teen readers: Tips, titles, and tool. Neal-Schuman Publishers.

It may sometimes seem impossible to get some kids to read, but YA experts Patrick Jones, Maureen Hartman, and Patricia Taylor believe in some proven tips, titles, and tools to make the impossible happen. They show you how to entice reluctant readers, what types of books are most likely to grab and keep their interest, and how to connect different kinds of readers with different genres (graphic novels, realistic fiction, mystery, fantasy, magazines, nonfiction, short stories, and more). The featured lists include over 600 sure-fire books, magazines, and series:

§ Best Books for Struggling Middle School Readers

§ Best Books for Boys of All Ages

§ Best New Adult Fiction and Classics for Teens

§ Best Turn-Around Titles that Get Non-Readers Reading

§ Best Magazines and Comic Books

You will also find quick and easy guidance for using booktalks (including 50 ready-to-use scripts), reading surveys, and an exhaustive bibliography of resources to consult. Throughout the book, popular YA authors--Michael Cart, Rachel Cohn, R.L. Stine, and many more--share their thoughts on teen reading and how they entice their readers. Patrick Jones--winner of ALA’s 2006 Grolier Award for stimulation and guidance of reading by children and young people--Maureen Hartman, and Patricia Taylor have assembled the one-stop resource you need to transform reluctant readers. (Book Description)

Children's Literature in Action (book)

Vardell, S.M. (2008). Children's literature in action: A librarian's guide. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

Written in informal and engaging prose, each chapter presents the historical background, definition, and unique qualificaties of the type of literature described. An especially helpful feature is the inset boxes placed throughout chpaters, which give selected bibliographies for further information and present the work of individual authors. The highlighting of these authors and their works offers a helpful model for librarians as they create their own displays and promotions....A comprehensive index allows for easy access to the information presented throughout the book. Two useful bibliographies are also included that could be used to collection building: a bibliography of resources for further study and a bibliography of the works cited. These features make the book an indispensible resource for information proffesionals. (ARBA Online)

Contents:

Chapter One: An Introduction To Children And Their Literature
Chapter Two: Picture Books
Chapter Three: Traditional Tales
Chapter Four: Poetry For Children
Chapter Five: Contemporary Realistic Fiction
Chapter Six: Historical Fiction
Chapter Seven: Fantasy
Chapter Eight: Informational Books

The Guy Friendly YA Library (book)

Welch, R.J. (2007). The guy friendly YA library: Serving male teens. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

Provides some excellent insights, anecdotes and practical suggestions that should help librarians encourage male teenage users. A must read for all public and school librarians who have found themselves struggling to reach this particular audience. (Library Review)

Contents:

Introduction
Chapter 1 The Library Staff vs. Guys: Why Can't We Just Get Along?
Chapter 2 Understanding Teen Males
Chapter 3 Males as Readers: Their Reading Habits
Chapter 4 Reading and Boys--Topics of Interest
Chapter 5 Books for Boys--Genres, Titles and Topics
Chapter 6 Engaging Teen Males in Library Programming and Teen Advisory Boards
Chapter 7 School Visits and Booktalks
Chapter 8 Actively and Passively Creating Library Services for Teen Males
Conclusion
Appendix A Essential Fiction Titles or Series for Teen Males
Index

Small Public Library Survival Guide

Landau, Herbert B. Small Public Library Survival Guide. Chicago, 2008: Libraries Unlimited, 2008. isbn 978-0-8389-3575-0 025.1974 Landa

If you're among the nearly 80% of libraries deemed "small," serving populations of 25,000 or fewer, then Landau's survival guide will give you tested and practical techniques to ensure your small library's survival and growth.