Teaching Information Fluency

Heine, Carl, and Dennis O'Connor. Teaching Information Fluency: How to Teach Students to Be Efficient, Ethical, and Critical Information Consumers. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow, 2014.
  ISBN: 978-0-8108-9062-6

Publisher's Description

[This book] describes the skills and dispositions of information fluency adept searchers. Readers will receive in-depth information on what it takes to locate, evaluate, and ethically use digital information.

The book realistically examines the abilities of Internet searchers today in terms of their efficiency and effectiveness in finding online information, evaluating it and using it ethically. Since the majority of people develop these skills on their own, rather than being taught, the strategies they invent may suffice for simple searches, but for more complex tasks, such as those required by academic and professional work, the average person’s performance is adequate only about 50% of the time.

The book is laid out in five parts: an introduction to the problem and how search engine improvements are not sufficient to be of real help, speculative searching, investigative searching, ethical use and applications of information fluency. The intent of the book is to provide readers ways to improve their performance as consumers of digital information and to help teachers devise useful ways to integrate information fluency instruction into their teaching, since deliberate instruction is needed to develop fluency. Since it is unlikely that dedicated class time will be available for such instruction, the approach taken embeds information fluency activities into classroom instruction in language arts, history and science.

Numerous model lessons and resources are woven into the fabric of the text, including think-alouds, individual and group search challenges, discussions, assessments and curation, all targeted to Common Core State Standards as well as information fluency competencies.

Table of Contents

List of Figures
List of Tables
Foreword
Acknowledgements
Prologue
Part 1: Digital Information Fluency
Chapter 1: Digital Information Fluency in an Age of Information Consumption
Chapter 2: Information Fluency, Achievement and the Common Core
Part 2: Speculative Searching
Chapter 3: Self-taught Search Box Strategies
Chapter 4: Internet Search Challenges
Part 3: Investigative Searching
Chapter 5: Investigative Searching
Chapter 6: Investigative Case Study
Part 4: Ethical and Fair Use
Chapter 7: Ethical Consumption
Part 5: Instructional Applications
Chapter 8: Embedding Information Fluency
Chapter 9: Curation: Applied Information Fluency
Epilogue
Appendix: Model Lessons
Bibliography
Index

Floating Collections

Bartlett, Wendy K. Floating Collections: A Collection Development Model for Long-Term Success. Santa Barbara, CA: Libraries Unlimited, 2014. ISBN: 978-1-59884-743-7

Publisher's Description

Librarians seeking to stretch their budgets during economically challenged times are turning to "floating collections" as a solution—where movement of material is generated by hold requests and items remain where they are checked in. It's likely that in a very short time, floating collections will move from best practice to standard practice.

This easy-to-use, comprehensive guide shows how to establish a floating collection in any library—regardless of type or size.

Despite its increasing popularity, there are few published works about floating and floating collections. Virtually no one has addressed critical long-term issues like core collections, material selection, and weeding after floating has taken place. Floating Collections: A Collection Development Model for Long-Term Success makes all of this urgently needed information available in one place.

This unique guidebook defines "floating," explains the pros and cons, explores the impact of floating collections on collection work, and enables readers to establish a floating collection in any library. Not only does this book help librarians to decide rationally if, how, and when to float, it also outlines a how-to process for maximum success based on the real-world experience of many systems and identifies ways to maximize the advantages of a floating collection. In addition, the author addresses common collection concerns and outlines workable solutions for problematic issues that can arise.

Features
• Checklists for various stages of the floating process
• Frequently asked questions for staff members
• A bibliography of publications on floating collections, covering websites of floating libraries, PLA presentations, articles, and listserv archives
• An index covers major topics, libraries described within the text, as well as interviewed individuals

Highlights
• Presents best practices from libraries in the United States and Canada
• Synthesizes all relevant background material, history, and reasons other systems have decided to float, enabling the prospective floater to make the best decision for his or her library
• Contains chapters on conquering major stumbling blocks, predicting success with concrete numbers and other simple-to-use methods
• Provides insight into correcting common problems or issues related to collection work

Sample Topics
Advantages and Disadvantages to a Floating Collection
Best Practices from Other Systems
Beta Testing Your Float
Buying for a Floating Collection
Creating a Management Dream Team
Customer Impact
Customers as Part of the Collection Development Team
Floating a Collection
History of Floating
Overcoming Staff Resistance to Your Float
Predicting What Floating Will do to Your Collection
Reader's Advisory and the Floating Collection
Rebalancing the Floating Collection
Saving Money with a Floating Collection
Social Capital Argument for Floating Collections
Technical Aspects with ILS
Weeding the Floating Collection
What Other Systems are Floating
What to do with the Main Branch(es) When the Books Float Away

Let's Start the Music

Brown, Amy. Let's Start the Music: Programming for Primary Grades. Chicago: ALA Editions, 2014. ISBN: 978-0-8389-1166-2

Publisher's Description

Music programs have been scaled back or eliminated altogether from the curricula of many schools. Luckily, storytimes offer ideal opportunities for music and songs. In this collection of easy-to-use, easy-to-adapt library programs for children in grades K-3, Brown connects songs and musical activities directly to books kids love to read. Offering several thematic programs, complete with stories, songs, and flannelboard and other activities, her book includes

• Music activities, lists of music-related books, mix-and-match activities, and additional web resources
• Terrific tips on how to teach songs to young children
• Ways to develop original songs and rhythms to enliven children’s books

Even if you can’t carry a tune in a bushel basket, this handy resource has everything you need to start the music in your storytimes.

Table of Contents
Acknowledgments

Introduction

Chapter 1

The Importance of Music

Chapter 2

Incorporating Songs and Instruments into Library Programming

Chapter 3

Instrument Jam Band

Chapter 4

Feel the Rhythm

Chapter 5

Sing-Along Stories and Songs

Chapter 6

Moving and Grooving

Chapter 7

A Sound Hullabaloo

Chapter 8

Musical Potpourri

Chapter 9

Animal Antics

Chapter 10

Camp Do Re Mi

Chapter 11

Dragons, Monsters, and Ghosts, Oh My!

Chapter 12

Once upon a Time

Chapter 13

Earth Celebration

Chapter 14

Game Time

Chapter 15

Tasty Tunes and Tales

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

Making the Most of Your Library Career

Stickell, Lois and Bridgetta Sanders. Making the Most of Your Library Career. Chicago: ALA, 2014. 020.23 Makin.  ISBN 978-0-8389-1186-0

An MLIS can provide the skill set needed to get a library job, but building a library career means knowing how to maximize your potential every step of the way. Benefiting those fresh out of library school as well as experienced professionals, career librarians from every corner of the profession offer a personal, down-to-earth view of "what it's really like out there." Filled with valuable insights into how to better launch and manage a library career, this book addresses important topics like

•    How to work and adapt at a new organization
•    What management expects and how to view everyday activities from that point of view
•    How to make suggestions for change
•    Advice on navigating the cyclical nature of a librarian's work year
•    The rewards and challenges of professional organizations
•    Why a library degree is valuable outside a traditional library setting
Those new to the field will find the contributors' seasoned advice both inspiring and practical, while veterans of the profession will find guidance on retuning their careers in librarianship's changing environment.

Legal Reference for Librarians: How and Where to Find the Answers

Healey, Paul D. Legal Reference for Librarians: How and Where to Find the Answers. Chicago: ALA, 2014. 025.52 Heale.  ISBN 978-0-8389-1117-4

In recent years the number of Americans who have decided to handle their own legal affairs without the help of a lawyer has skyrocketed. Ranging from people writing their own wills or drafting a contract to those trying to represent themselves in court, they're going to public and academic libraries for answers. As both an attorney and a librarian, Healy's background makes him uniquely qualified to advise library staff on providing users with the legal information they seek, and in this handbook, he

•    Provides a concise orientation on legal research, including strategies for finding information quickly and a handpicked compendium of the best resources
•    Offers guidance on how to provide advice on legal research while steering clear of liability
•    Covers federal legal reference as well as all 50 states, with a comprehensive list of web-based legal resources
Library staff can provide valuable and ethical legal reference guidance with the practical guidance in this book.