With today's digital natives, educators face new challenges in guiding young adults to discovery of the critical thinking and enjoyment that comes from lifelong literacy not to mention simply reading simply for pleasure. For anyone seeking to hone their skills as a guide to YA reading, Latrobe and Drury give you a theoretical basis for your programming with cogent explanations of eight critical theories of literature: New Criticism/Formal Criticism; Psychological Criticism; Sociological Criticism: Relationships in Context; Historical Criticism; Gender Criticism: Opposite Sexes or Neighboring Sexes; Archetypal/Mythological Criticism; Popular Culture and Criticism; and, Reader-Response: A Unique Literary Event. ""Critical Approaches to Young Adult Literature"" is for librarians in school and public libraries (plus their colleagues across the curriculum) who strive for collections and programming that elicit thoughtful responses and build higher-level literacy skills across grades 6-12. In this book and CD ROM set, the authors explore all facets of creating a vibrant YA reading community such as inquiry-based learning, promoting and motivating reading, collection management, understanding multiple intelligences, accepting diverse beliefs, and acting as a change agent to name a few. Latrobe and Drury also provide basic questions designed to involve young people, activities to encourage critical responses and bibliographies of YA books with annotations. Time-saving author, title, and subject indexes round-out the work, along with appendices so you'll have reviewing media, YA awards and YA magazines at your fingertips.

This holistic guide explains how school librarians and teachers can successfully integrate relevant health concepts and life skills throughout the curriculum for students K through 12. In the United States, convenience food and soft drink-based diets, increasingly sedentary lifestyles, and obesity have become common in youth culture. The importance of health education merits integration throughout school curricula; unfortunately, research shows that many teachers do not feel prepared to teach health issues within their subject areas. This book will encourage all librarians and teachers—no matter their specific area of instruction—to include health lessons in their teaching. Health Information in a Changing World: Practical Approaches for Teachers, Schools, and School Librarians provides a complete action plan for librarians and teachers who want to provide better health information to students and their caregivers. It contains an extensive discussion of teaching health within curriculum areas such as literature, history and biography, art, science and mathematics, industrial technology, and agriculture. Tips on accessing and evaluating health information in print and electronic media are presented, as well as practical suggestions for effective instructional methods, including ideas on conducting demonstrations, field trips, speaker programs, and online distance education. New findings regarding teaching effectiveness assessment are also presented.

This groundbreaking book about developing the professional dispositions of school librarians uses three fictionalized librarians to serve as authentic models addressing familiar topics and situations. Tales Out of the School Library: Developing Professional Dispositions is a book that empowers anyone working in the school library to redefine their practice to meet the needs of young learners today. It covers familiar, everyday topics of the most concern to practitioners—assessment, literacy and reading, diversity, intellectual freedom, communication, collaboration, and more. But it is the approach that makes this book unique. Each chapter of Tales Out of the School Library begins with a story from one of three fictional, yet recognizably authentic library media specialists—composites of real professionals, each with distinctive personalities, strengths, and challenges. These tales of elementary, middle, and high school librarians play out over the course of a school year, and serve as the focal point for discussions of essential aspects of teaching, communication, and leadership. Follow-up questions, an annotated bibliography, connections to AASL's Standards for the 21st-Century Learner, and discussion questions further add to the value of this innovative volume.

For over 10 years YALSA has produced two annual lists, Popular Paperbacks for Young Adults and Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers, consisting of recommended reading targeted at young adults who are not avid readers. Quick and Popular Reads for Teens compiles bibliographic information about the books honored by these two selected lists.

Take care of your library and it will take care of you! In this practical, concise volume, authors Lynn M. Piotrowicz and Scott Osgood provide a tour of the library building from foundation to roof. In a time of rapidly inflating energy prices and tight public budgets, many libraries are faced with older physical facilities that are not up to modern standards of efficiency. Designed for libraries where construction of a wholly new building is not feasible, this book offers step-by-step instructions for improving the energy use of existing structures, with methods for being environmentally and fiscally responsible, Identifying ways to enhance building maintenance, Investing resources now in order to free them later for core library functions, Managers will welcome this handy orientation guide and feel empowered to recommend changes at their own libraries using the authors' expert advice.

A compilation of over 50 reading project ideas, including implementation ideas and examples, helping to promote lifelong reading habits while meeting the social and interactive needs of today's youth. Social Readers: Promoting Reading in the 21st Century is about making reading meaningful to the Web 2.0 generation through active engagement and socially interactive projects. Organized into four broad categories-entertainment, active participation, control and choice, and technology-the book offers more than 50 specific project ideas for promoting reading in the classroom, school, library media center, or public library. Each project includes a description, cost estimate, planning time needed, suggested supplies, and instructions for running the project successfully. Topics such as sharing, involvement, book promotions, social networking, and developing informed readers are also covered. A preface and introduction provide an overview of the needs and preferences of the current generation of students, a discussion of the necessity for socializing reading, and insights into how to use the book effectively. Bottom line: Social Readers will help librarians and educators change their practices to accommodate the ever-evolving needs of today's students. Step-by-step suggestions for more than 50 projects Over 120 illustrations An appendix of reading themes that can be adopted for an event, club, program, poster, or campaign A bibliography of resource references

Simple, straightforward guidance for the practitioner who wants to use assistive technologies to extend library access. Keep it Simple: A Guide to Assistive Technologies provides a basic tutorial on common assistive computer applications and commonly available, inexpensive hardware and software to help librarians incorporate such aids into the library's current infrastructure. Focusing on applications commonly available on Microsoft Office and other low-cost technologies, this book offers guidance for the practitioner that can help every library move toward universal access. Librarians will find advice on planning accessible services, selecting appropriate assistive technologies, marketing disability services and assistive technology, and training staff in disability services issues and the use of assistive technology. Individual chapters cover print, hearing, speech, and mobility disabilities, offering resources and tutorials for each of these disability categories. Tutorials on technologies for individuals with disabilities arranged by disability category 47 Microsoft Accessibility Options screenshots Extensive bibliographies for each disability category and for universal access, training, and marketing A glossary of assistive technology terms Extensive resources for each disability category

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.

Respected authorities on today's rapidly changing reference landscape Marie L. Radford and R. David Lankes have brought together a pioneering collection that delivers creative, proven guidance to LIS professionals in public, academic, and special libraries and information centers. Featured Review "This book makes a significant and original contribution to the study of reference work by honestly assessing the current state of reference (Part I: The State of Reference Services: An Overview), surveying the latest research findings (Part II: What Research Tells Us about Reference), and gathering reports about contemporary reference work from a spectrum of libraries (Part III: Reference in Action: Reports from the Field)...The strengths of this book lie in its timeliness and the breadth of its scope." Reference and User Services Quarterly, Fall 2010 Read More.... In addition to featuring current research trends and philosophical approaches to reference, the editors present a wide-range of exciting new reports from the field. Reports include the practical information you need to replicate these groundbreaking programs in your library, and includes the institutional context, a detailed description of the initiative, best practices, an assessment of results, a bibliography of cited references, and websites on similar efforts. You will learn about all modes of virtual reference, re-invented face-to-face services, novel mobile services, and how to apply text messaging, Facebook, and other social-networking tools to reference service. A few of the forward-looking reports include: Giving Users Options for Chat Reference You Bought It, Now Sell It: Creating a Reference Renaissance in the Public Library by Marketing Collections and Services Stayin' Alive in the Google Age: Adding Custom Search Engines for Better Internet Research Reference Renaissance provides an exciting array of outstanding reference endeavors that will help you to leverage staff resources and discover new ways to fully meet your users' diverse needs.

How can you successfully lead your library through the changes taking place in today's transitional information environment? What skills must you develop or hone in order to build a confident, comfortable, and capable staff in your institution? In their highly practical new ""How-To-Do-It Manual"", authors Robert D. Stuart, the former Dean Emeritus of Simmons College's Graduate School of Library and Information Science and Maureen Sullivan, a leadership expert with over thirty years experience delivering consulting and training services to libraries and other information services, will help you identify the essential concepts and goals behind great leadership, and effectively implement each one into your library's organizational structure. ""Developing Library Leaders"" covers key strategies and processes for coaching, team building, and mentoring library staff. Following a foreword from James G. Neal, the authors clearly define the major roles and responsibilities of a library leader and offer valuable techniques for persuading and influencing others, building and leading teams and groups, and managing projects. There is step-by-step guidance for developing crucial coaching and mentoring skills, as well as tips for succession planning and facilitating long-term development. Throughout the book, Stueart and Sullivan provide ample models, outlines, examples, and charts for further guidance and to reinforce the practical use of key strategies. The generations-old adage that 'leaders are born not bred' is a myth; it is now commonly accepted that leadership is a skill that can be developed. Stueart and Sullivan show current and future library directors and managers how to develop their institutions' most valuable asset - their staff - and better prepare them to lead.

Master the huge array of quality children's books from the past and the present with this must-have resource from children's librarian Elizabeth Bird. With her strong passion for children's books and the profession, Bird will help you: build and manage your children's collection; strike a balance between award winners and classics; arrange your space to best showcase and display books; review the basics of storytime, storytelling, and booktalking; and, add the 100 children's books that belong in every library. ""Children's Literature Gems"" is about managing and caring for a part of the library devoted to children who love good books and is a must for every children's librarian - new or experienced!

Meet your library patrons where they increasingly live and work-online. This guide introduces you to the exciting possibilities online programs offer, and shows you how to set up online programs in your library-whether one-time stand-alone or half-day, full-day, or multi-day workshops and conferences. Public programs-from lectures, demonstrations, and interviews to book discussions and story hours can be delivered in real time (live) primarily over the web, utilizing a variety of interactive communication tools, including voice-over-IP, text chatting, and co-browsing. Furthermore, online programming can be used for district-wide staff training. The author explains how to integrate pre-recorded components of a program into a live, online public program; shows how to extend the reach and appeal of online public programs with podcasting and audiorecordings; and explains how to use voice-over-IP and video-over-IP to enhance online programs. In addition to outlining the costs of staring and operating a public online program, Peters also provides cost recovery methods and scenarios. Online public programs can extend your library's reach into the service population, grab the attention of some early adopters and opinion leaders in the community you serve, and convey to patrons and other libraries that your library is moving boldly into the digital future. Plus, many people are more likely to attend an online library program than an in-library public program. And because online programs are easily recorded and redistributed on demand, your library gets more bang for each buck it invests in its public programming outreach. Distance education programs in higher education, corporate and governmental training efforts, and other sectors of society have become commonplace, but this is the first guide to focus on how libraries (public, academic, school, and special) and library-related organizations (associations, consortia, etc.) can and are developing exciting online programs for library users and librarians.

Everything librarians need to know to get the most out of booktalking with their teen readers. Booktalking with Teens prepares and inspires librarians to get the most out of booktalking by probing teen reading experiences, illustrating step-by-step booktalk writing instructions, building booktalk programs, and coaching booktalk performance. The book begins by exploring the emotional and intellectual experiences teens report when they read, then examines the many themes, genres, and topics of teen fiction, graphic novels, classics, and nonfiction. The second section focuses on writing booktalks and the third on selecting booktalks for different audiences. Performance topics include preparation for performance, delivery techniques, and interacting with teens. Finally, you will discover how to align your booktalk program with the vision and goals of your library and school district and how to use the expertise, energy, and excitement of booktalking to empower the library staff and raise the library's visibility and value in the community. Shows how booktalks are written, from the inside out, by deconstructing and analyzing a variety of the author's booktalks Includes a handout that can be used for a school visit, showing library promotional information, an annotated bibliography of booktalks, and website and contact information

Do they ""get it""? Are students mastering information literacy? ACRL's standards for information literacy provide a solid foundation to help faculty and librarians establish the context for learning. Neely, a top information literacy expert, frames these ACRL standards as benchmarks and provides a toolbox of assessment strategies to demonstrate students' learning. Sharing best practices and actual sample assessments, these proven materials and programs: represent best practices from 27 institutions (US, Canadian, Australian); exemplify the best library-related assignments to strengthen information literacy skills; offer proven tips for incorporating the five ACRL standards into instruction; go beyond the classroom, with insights on partnering with teachers and administrators; and, explain the basics of automating assessments.

This practical guidebook seeks to bridge the gap between librarians and homeschoolers in these two ways: who are homeschoolers and how can I help them practically?In the past decade, the rise of homeschooling has had a tremendous impact on public libraries. Research from the National Center of Education Statistics (NCES) reveals that of the 1.1 million children being homeschooled in the United States, 78 per cent of homeschooling parents use the public library as their primary resource of learning materials. Yet, most librarians are unequipped and unprepared to reach this specific group of patrons.Part 1 addresses the history and background of homeschooling as well as the needs and viewpoints of various homeschooling groups. Part 2 deals specifically with building programs and services for the homeschooling population.Addressing all age groups, from how to serve elementary school children and teens, to even the homeschooling parent, homeschooling expert Furness offers: in-depth chapters dedicated to different types of homeschooling and unschooling movements; comprehensive discussion of resources to serve the diverse homeschooling population; ideas on programs and social outlets the library can provide; annotated lists of further readings at the end of each chapter, plus website resources and electronic discussion lists; and, 17 real - life stories of librarians interacting with homeschoolers. By moving past stereotypes and understanding what resources are available, librarians can be important allies to this diverse group of patrons. Children's and YA librarians, library directors, support staff working with youth in public libraries and educators will find the information and tools they need to develop policies, programs, and services to support homeschoolers in their communities.

Story boxes offer a simple method for capturing ideas, talent, creativity, and resources available in your library.Children's programming made easy. Really easy. What librarian doesn't dream of offering more and better children's programs with less effort? After all, these are usually the most popular and sought-after programs in the library. But, they are also the most demanding: any librarian who has put in the sweat and time required to pull together a single quality program will balk at the prospect of putting together eighteen programs per week!In Maryland's Carroll County, story boxes have made this impossible dream come true for twenty years. Now MacMillan, writer, storyteller, and former children's librarian, outlines the proven story box system for sharing an array of successful programs. Including step-by-step instructions from concept through implementation and supplemented by programming tips, ""A Box Full of Tales"" answers all your questions: What is a story box? What goes into a story box? How is one put together? Who can contribute? And, how do you get buy-in from others to share this resource?In addition, find detailed plans for fifty great story boxes including suggested books, fingerplays, songs, props, crafts, and sign language. From ah-chooi to antlers, from monkey business to zoo escapes, ""A Box Full of Tales"" is an easy way to offer winning, stress-free library programs for children without the headaches and the hassles. You can make the impossible happen when you share resources with story boxes!

Best Books for Young Adults is back and better than ever! The new third edition continues to be the most comprehensive and effective reference for great seeding for young adults, including 40 years of best YA books plus
- Background on the history, committee procedures, and current issues facing the BBYA Committee
- A recap of the current trends in teen literature as reflected in the past decease of BBYA lists
- Twenty-seven themed and annotated reproducible booklist, perfect for readers' advisory with teens, parents, teachers--even for collection development
- Indexed annotated lists extending back to 1966
Teen service librarians in public and school libraries, along with parents and middle and high school English teachers, will welcome this fully updated third edition, featuring a thought-provoking foreword from Betty Carter. YA service luminary and editor of the first two editions of BBYA.

The Internet is not a one-way street in terms of library service as it challenges any traditional notion of its use for collecting or managing information. The information is constantly changing. It is not a static and reliable source like a book, nor is the content necessarily correct all of the time. In this resource, authors Charles McClure and Paul T. Jaeger speak to the ways in which the Internet has had more impact on public libraries than any other technology since the creation of the book. The issues presented are vital to library service, planning, evaluation, research and education - and most significantly how effectively libraries service the general public.This title helps you: learn the importance of measuring and maximizing library service through internet services; analyze new and unique Internet-enabled service roles of public libraries - expanding on the Web 2.0 environment; and, gain insight in selecting and creating Internet-enabled service roles. ""Public Libraries and Internet Service Roles"" will help ensure that public libraries remain a vibrant marketplace of ideas freely accessible to all members of the library community.

Inside, Outside, and Online provides practical advice and inspiration for building community with your library. Based on a scan of the community and technology environments that libraries operate within, related literature, and the practical experiences of hundreds of library staff actively building communities through their work, the book provides much-needed insights into the essential elements of community building through: identifying user needs and designing services to meet those needs; engaging communities with service selection, creation, and iteration; and, utilizing practical new technologies. Whatever your role, and whatever size or type of library, the principles outlined here can support anyone working to build a strong community of engaged, interested, and satisfied library users.

Supplementing your local collection through resource sharing is a smart way to ensure your library has the resources to satisfy the needs of your users. Marshall Breeding's new Library Technology Report explores technologies and strategies for sharing resources, helping you streamline workflows and improve resource-sharing services. Covering key strategies like interlibrary loan, consortial borrowing, document delivery, and shared collections, you'll also learn about such trends and services as: OCLC WorldCat Resource Sharing, and other systems that facilitate cooperative, reciprocal lending System-to-system communications that allow integrated systems to interact with resource-sharing environments Technical components that reliably automate patron requests, routing to suppliers with tools for tracking, reporting, and staff intervention as needed Specialised applications that simplify document delivery, such as Ariel, Odyssey, or OCLC s Article Exchange How the NISO Circulation Interchange Protocol (NCIP) can enable borrowing among consortial libraries using separate integrated library systems The Orbis Cascade Alliance consortium, examined using a case study

The world of the school librarian has changed significantly over the past ten years with the proliferation of technology into all phases of education; this book attempts to address these issues. What does a school librarian need to know about technology? Technology for the School Librarian: Theory and Practice is an introduction to all aspects of technology in the school library and provides a starting point for further study of this wide-ranging-and critically important-field. The only book that addresses both the theoretical and the practical aspects of the subject, Technology for the School Librarian is organized into 13 chapters describing the most vital topics in technology for school librarians. Within these chapters, school librarians (whether practicing or prospective) will be introduced to the practical aspects of technology in the school library and presented with a theoretical framework that will allow them to continue their research and learning. Case studies facilitate understanding, as do the study questions included with each chapter. Lists features that should be included in a school library web page Provides a chronology tracing the development of technology in school libraries Offers an illustration of network topologies Includes questions for research/further study in each chapter

In Rose Zertuche Trevino's ""Read Me a Rhyme in Spanish and English"", programming ideas abound for librarians who have bilingual patrons and wish to present reading programs for children for whom Spanish is the spoken language at home. The bilingual programs are for children of all ages: babies to primary school children. The program material presented originates from Latin culture, engaging those patrons for whom the nursery rhymes are new, as well as for older children and parents for whom the rhymes are old favorites. ""Read Me a Rhyme in Spanish and English"" includes thorough directions, as well as the text for various sounds and read-alouds, written in both English and Spanish. Users will also discover: fresh ideas and resources for implementing bilingual storytimes; eight program plans with chapters specific to target audience; and, two bibliographies filled with additional resources, including both paper and music titles for use with bilingual programs. The ready-made storytimes included in this unique bilingual book is a must-have for any library serving the Spanish-speaking. Filled with rhymes, songs, and fingerplays, this book will become a favorite among your young patrons both in English and Spanish!

A collection of articles from School Library Monthly highlighting practical ways library media specialists can help their schools implement the AASL's Standards for 21st-Century Learners. Ever since the initial release of the AASL's Standards for the 21st-Century Learner, School Library Monthly magazine has consistently focused on providing librarians with the information and strategies they need to help students achieve those standards. Now from the pages of that magazine comes a collection that no school library or librarian should be without. 21st-Century Learning in School Libraries: Putting the AASL Standards To Work brings together the ideas and methods of leading school librarians and educators across the nation, all focused on meeting the new standards. The book begins with a survey of 21st-century learning documents and an examination of how learning has changed for today's student. It offers a wide range of articles—over 90 in all—in a series of chapters on key themes, a vision for successful school libraries, inquiry, collaboration, assessment, reading, and pedagogical strategies. Each chapter has an introduction, discussion questions, and promotional and advocacy strategies.

In his hugely successful ""Connecting Boys with Books"" (2003), Sullivan delved into the problem that reading skills of pre-adolescent boys lag behind those of girls in the same age group. In this companion book, Sullivan digs even deeper, melding his own experiences as an activist with perspectives gleaned from other industry experts to help you: learn about the books that boys love to read; uncover the signs that point to the reading gap; find creative new programming ideas to match boys' interests; and, establish a strategic blueprint for boys and reading. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience, Sullivan shows how to reinvigorate the sense of excitement that boys felt when they first heard a picture book being read aloud.