This title gives concrete practical examples of how to align school library programs and instructional practice with the six key concepts of brain-compatible learning: increasing input to the brain; increasing experiential data; multiple source feedback; reducing threat; involving students in learning decision making; and interdisciplinary unit planning. This title, Brain Friendly School Libraries, gives concrete practical examples of how to align school library programs and instructional practice with the six key concepts of brain-compatible learning: increasing input to the brain; increasing experiential data; multiple source feedback; reducing threat; involving students in learning decision making; and interdisciplinary unit planning. It includes chapters that summarize the current brain research and current thinking about its implication for instructional practice in the school library media center as well as discusses the work of Ellen Langer (mindful learning), Geoffrey and Renette Caine, Bob Sylwester and other major proponents of teaching with the brain in mind.

The development and promotion of appropriate services for students with disabilities has been an integral part of the academic library since the 1990s. There remains, however, a dearth of literature-in marketing, library and information science, and other disciplines-that applies quality assessment instruments to existing programs. With this in mind, Hernon and Calvert present two versions of a data collection instrument, designed to compare the expectations of special students with their perceptions of how well a given service met their needs. Descriptions of successful initiatives at a variety of academic libraries are also included. Adaptive technologies. Anti-discrimination laws. Equity and compliance issues. In-house policies (and politics). All of these support, in one form or another, the development and promotion of appropriate services for students with physical, learning, or, increasingly, psychological disabilities. But what of service quality? To date, there is a dearth of literature-in marketing, library and information science, and other disciplines-that applies quality assessment instruments to programs for special student populations. Not until now has anyone compared the expectations of such students with their perceptions of how well a given service meets their needs. Peter Hernon, Philip Calvert, and their colleagues-Kathleen Rogers, Todd K. Herriott, and Ava Gibson-discuss the circumstances affecting services for the disabled, and provide two versions of a data collection instrument, loosely based on SERVQUAL, that individual institutions can modify to reflect their particular needs and situations. International in scope, it incorporates the perspective of university attorneys and compliance officers, as well as descriptions of successful initiatives by senior library administrators in the U.S. (Larry Hardesty, Rush G. Miller, Sarah Hamrick, and Jennifer Lann) and New Zealand (Helen Renwick, Philip Jane, and John Redmayne.) Improving the Quality of Library Services for Students with Disabilities will assist libraries and other service components of academic institutions to adopt a proactive position, as well as challenge staff assumptions of service expectations and information needs.

It's easy to make assumptions about teens--high school, dating, Mom and Dad in the background, a house, a few siblings, and a beloved pet. But many of today's teens don't fit this all-American image. Designing teen library services based on preconceptions leaves many teens out--from home-schooled and gifted teens to pregnant teens, immigrants, juvenile delinquents, homeless teens, and many others. Anderson, a YALSA Serving the Underserved (SUS) Trainer, shatters the stereotypes, showing you how to customize your library service to fit the needs of diverse teens. After explaining why it's important to reach out to these kids, and contrasting the myths about teens with the realities, Anderson details the diverse groups that make up the category of "teen," and the many situations and experiences that define their library needs. She provides step-by-step plans for connecting with these young adults--from creating a positive atmosphere through policies and staff training to building a collection, designing library services and programs, and providing outreach. Interspersed with anecdotes, pertinent statistics, and useful information, this practical work will change the way you think about and work with teens. Grades 6-12.

An assortment of lively, fast-paced, fun-filled children's programmes. Promote reading and literacy with this wonderful assortment of lively, fast-paced, fun-filled children's programmes specifically designed for children aged 4 to 8. Librarians, teachers and children will delight in such programme themes as Creepy Crawlles, Forest Friends, Frosty Frolics, and After School Adventures. It's a wonderful mix of multisensory activities that appeal to a variety of literacy levels and learning styles - rhymes and songs, awesome activities, crafty crafts, and great games. Unlike other programming guides, this one uses a developmental approach with literature-based activities fitted to specific learning needs. More than an idea book, it includes all the nuts and bolts for initiating a children's programme - from foundations and guidelines for understanding various stages of learning to everything necessary to get started - book lists, step-by-step instructions, reproducible patterns and illustrations, even tips on publicity and PR. this book gives fresh programming ideas that fosters lifelong literacy and love of reading. Ages 4-8. This book is full of lively programmes for children's reading and programmes arranged into fun and accessible categories. It is designed for children ages 4-8.

What kid wouldn't love literary explorations of the stinky, creepy, and dirty? Throw in rats, witches, aliens, and underwear, and it's irresistible. Yet few story times are designed for elementary school children, who are intent on separating themselves from younger siblings. Why aren't there more events for these kids? It's not a lack of great material insists librarian-humorist Reid, who builds upon his earlier ALA bestseller. Something Funny Happened at the Library (ALA Editions, 2003) to offer 18 new wacky and offbeat programs, including the winning topics of the giggly and gross. Each plan opens with a thumbnail overview, then draws on unusual combinations of poetry, picture books, chapter book excerpts and short stories. The mix varies by theme, but all the programs touch the concerns (interests and humor (Think: Captain Underpants), for this age group. Audience involvement includes wordplay, reader's theater, dramatics, writing, music, sports, or crafts. Reid also illustrates how to tweak programs to appeal to younger (or older) audiences. Plans for fun story programs encompass: Catching some Zzzz's; A1 Stories; Big and Bad in four separate flavors; Cool school, alien school and don't wanna go to school! Designed to inspire public children's librarians, school media staff, classroom teachers, and anyone who wants to help literature come alive for kids in grades K-4, Cool Story Programs is a proven, adaptable resource, and a must-have for libraries serving kids.

Shows how to help technologically disadvantaged teens to overcome barriers and become tech-savvy The digital divide is a disturbing reality, and teens increasingly fall into distinct categories of technological haves and have-nots, whether or not computers are available to them in the schools. This trend undermines the futures of our youth and jeopardizes the vitality of society. Today's librarians are in a unique position to help bridge the gap. This guide helps librarians to identify the tech-nots - technologically disadvantaged teens - in a community or school and to reach out and build information literacy in underserved teen populations. The author goes beyond recommending computers for every teen, and demonstrates how to overcome teen misperceptions and disinterest in computers. After examining the problem and the populations most affected, the author discusses how to build awareness and motivation, train staff, create space and time, build the collection, develop partnerships with other agencies and organizations, offer services, and overcome barriers with specific populations. new ways for libraries to connect with at-risk teens today. * Part of the Libraries Unlimited Professional Guides for Young Adult Librarians Series * Highlights the problem of the 'digital divide among teenagers, and suggests strategies for overcoming it

This book consists of tried and tested collaborative lesson plans for teacher librarians to use when planning lessons with classroom teachers to use with students in the primary grades. These lessons integrate research skills instruction with curriculum standards in science and social studies. Lessons are developed using standard reference materials such as biography, atlas, encyclopedia, and the almanac. Each lesson contains all patterns, worksheets, and plans necessary to immediately implement the lesson. This book consists of tried and tested collaborative lesson plans for teacher librarians to use when planning lessons with classroom teachers to use with students in the primary grades. These lessons integrate research skills instruction with curriculum standards in science and social studies. Lessons are developed using standard reference materials such as biography, atlas, encyclopedia, and the almanac. Each lesson contains all patterns, worksheets and plans necessary to immediately implement the lesson. Grades K-3.

This volume, one in the Undergraduate Companion series, focuses on American and British writers for children and young adults and is addressed to students in both English and Education classes. It provides both print and free online sources. Most undergraduates do not possess the research skills necessary to evaluate Web sites. This volume will address their needs by providing pathfinders to works by, about, and related to key writers of children's and young adult fiction. Included are entries for 185 British and American writers and writing teams, most from the 20th century. Young adult and adult. Grades 9 and up.

This book is designed for courses that prepare college and university students for undergraduate or graduate degrees in school library media. It is also written as a helpful instructional manual or guidebook for practicing school library media specialists. The overall goal of this textbook is to teach library media specialists "what information literacy looks like--in general, in the school, in the classroom, in your mind, in life, and in motion." Helpful scenarios and extensive annotated resources are included.

Do religious teens in your community think your library has "nothing for me"? Shouldn't your library be actively embracing all of the diverse populations in your community? For many the teen years are times of intense spiritual and religious growth. Public libraries, charged with serving all facets of their communities, must reach out to all people, including religious youth. If that prospect seems daunting, this book can help. It provides you with a vision and a plan for enhancing your library service to religious teens with pertinent information that helps you understand the different belief systems and traditions of various religious groups and practical guidance for developing services and collections to serve their needs. Chapters cover the major religious groups in the United States today: Protestant, Evangelical, Catholic, Latter-day Saints, Orthodox Christianity, Seventh-day Adventist, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, and Hindu. In each chapter, a snapshot summary introduces you to the basic aspects of the religion, such as origins, beliefs, and practices. A discussion of the history and core beliefs and values follows. After describing common misconceptions and stereotypes, the authors detail the formative experiences of teens in these groups, and discuss what types of services they need in the library. Advice on building your collection is accompanied by helpful booklists; and ideas for services and programs supplement the resource. Lists of pertinent publishers and helpful Web sites make this an invaluable guide.

Today more than a million students are being educated at home; and that figure increases at a rate of 7-14% annually. Homeschooling is a growing trend in our society, and public librarians are being called upon with increasing frequency to serve the needs of homeschooled students. So, just what are the needs of the homeschooled teen, and how can you and your library meet those needs? A former young adult librarian and a homeschool parent have joined forces to create this insightful guide and answer that question. After reviewing the developmental and social needs of teens, the authors demonstrate how those needs may be met in the public library setting. You'll find a wealth of ideas for adapting every facet of your library service for this growing population--from developing a homeschool collection to expanding services and creating special programs. You'll also find suggestions on how to market what your library has to offer to homeschoolers. You may even discover some new ways to employ the talents and time of these students and their families. Extensive resource lists conclude the volume, they will help you better serve home-educated teens and their parents.

Expand your teen collection beyond traditional print books into exciting alternatives that will get teens into your library and keep them coming back. Top teen librarians share their inspiration and expertise on how to defy limits, and create the kind of collection that appeals to the diverse range of today's teens. You'll find valuable guidelines and tips on how to broaden and enliven your collection with graphic novels, magazines (and zines), audiobooks, video, music, interactive software and games, and more. You'll also discover how to harness the power of the Internet and establish a virtual collection. There is even a chapter presenting options for shelving and display of these alternative media. If you're ready to bring your teen collection into the 21st century, now's the time to act--and this is a great place to start. Grades 6-12.

In this lively and practical guide, notable teen experts and practitioners explain why service to teens in this age range is so important, and how you can enhance your collection and services to accommodate and win over this important group. Topics range from understanding older teen needs and creating a vital teen space to building and promoting a winning collection. Brimming with valuable insights, fresh ideas, as well as nuts and bolts directions, this is a must-read for all librarians who work with older teens. While libraries have traditionally offered diverse materials, services, and programs for children and even young teens based on their developmental needs, older teens (aged 16-19) are too often left out, with the excuse that older teens aren't interested. On the threshold of adulthood, these young people have immense informational needs that libraries are in a wonderful position to supply: information about colleges, about work, about relationships, and leisure activities. In this lively and practical guide, notable teen experts and stellar practitioners Sheila Anderson, Amy Alessio, Patrick Jones, Robin Lupa, and Kristine Mahood explain why service to teens in this age range is so important, and how you can enhance your collection and services to accommodate and win over this important group. Topics range from understanding older teen needs and creating a vital teen space to building and promoting a winning collection. Brimming with valuable insights, fresh ideas, as well as nuts-and-bolts directions, this is a must-read for all librarians who work with older teens.

The authors guide both librarians and administrators to make promises for the future and present a strategy for keeping those promises so that young adult audiences can become active library and community participants. From building partnerships to implementing successful programs to incorporating technology that helps teens assume leadership and responsibility, this is an inspiring yet practical take on what it means to "get it right" for teens in the library.

Librarians have historically relied on the perceived "value or goodness" of the public library as a means to garner financial support. Yet it is now becoming apparent that public libraries must demonstrate, using an acceptable methodology, the economic value of the library and its services. A compendium of valuable information about the research and literature surrounding this issue of demonstration, this book reviews the various approaches that have been used in assessing the public library's value. Matthews suggests methods for a library to develop better means of communicating with their funding decision-makers and other stakeholders. By analyzing input, process, and output measures, and combining these with measures of the economic and social benefits produced by the library, he offers a portfolio of approaches that enable today's librarian to both measure effectiveness and to communicate its value to its stakeholders--the communities it serves.

The public library as a "community facility dedicated to...service to everyone" is finding it impossible to meet the increasing demands made by a varied and shifting clientele--students require more space, more copies of books, more specialized services; educators wish to exploit the public library as a means of improving the educational and cultural opportunities of low-income groups; sophisticated industrial complexes demand high-level reference services and research resources; general readers want to retain the traditional image of the public library as a "refuge for the bookworm and the browser." Each of the distinguished contributors to this volume has dealt with an issue directly related to his or her own field of specilization, providing insights into the educational, cultural, demographic, political, and financial aspects of the urban public library.This book serves as an important beginning point in a necessary re-examination of the role of the public library in a changing urban scene and should prove to be basic reading for the librarian, the library administrator, and the sociologist. The book will also be of value to social and political scientists, city planners, and economists who are concerned with the character of cities and the future of libraries whose milieu is the city.

Student success comprises a complex system of expectations and measurements. Designed for school library media specialists, this book focuses on library media programs and examines the factors that influence student achievement. Through a presentation of research trends and actual practice, award-winning author Lesley Farmer demonstrates how media specialists can encourage student achievement by creating an environment conducive to learning. Farmer takes a systems approach, illuminating how each stakeholder in a student's education contributes to and impacts student achievement. Chapters include: What Defines Student Achievement? Research in the School Library World Internal Factors: The School Library Media Program School Factors Towards Student Achievement Student Factors Towards Student Achievement Societal Factors Towards Student Achievement Focus on Reading: Who's a Good Reader? Next Steps In addition to research findings about library programming, Farmer examines collection resources, facilities, staffing, curricula, instruction, reading issues, services, products, and administration. Key research studies are cited throughout the work to optimize referral to relevant information. This is an invaluable guide for school library media specialists, as well as for faculty and students in LIS and education programs.

Library Journal and other review journals raved about the first edition of this now-standard guide. This new edition has been completely updated and expanded to include crucial new information on digital records, encoded archival description (EAD), copyright issues, post-9/11 security concerns, and international perspectives on these issues - content that makes this manual essential for archivists of all backgrounds. Setting up archives, appraisal and accessioning, acquisition strategies and policies, arrangement description, reference and access, preservation, and electronic records are just some of the topics covered in both theory and practice in this clear, comprehensive, and practical guide. 'Hunter has provided the profession with a text that is best suited for beginning archivists and graduate students in archival studies or library science programs...I recommend the text to academic librarians who are responsible for developing an archives for their institution, yet are not acquainted with the field of archives and manuscripts' - "Journal of Academic Librarianship".

Learn how to promote your library and become an influential player in your school and district. As the school librarian, you play a critical role in impacting student achievement. Learn how to develop your influence and make an even bigger difference both inside and outside the library media center.

Facing budget and personnel cuts, special librarians increasingly need to justify the cost of library operations--often even the library's existence. Expert Joseph Matthews illustrates how to evaluate library services and successfully communicate the library's value to upper management.

Describing how value is added and how it can best be measured, Matthews explains different types of evaluations (models, implications, and methods) and a variety of measures (input, process, and output). He shows how a cost-benefit analysis and a library balanced scorecard, along with effective communication, can position the library as a value center rather than a cost center. A glossary, list of recommended reading, and an appendix (including a library benefits survey and a table of measures with respective definitions) make this the ultimate means of establishing the value of your library--an essential guide no special librarian should be without

The dissemination of information is conceivable only through a network of a stable public library system which in turn acts as the tributary of knowledge. This book discusses all the important aspects of a public library system including the historical factors responsible for the growth of libraries and also the specific problems related to the systematic working of libraries.

The first of its kind, this readable, hands-on book will help you to see your library and the staff that runs it in a new, more strategic way. Experienced librarian and coach Ruth Metz outlines a focused and results-oriented game plan for achieving performance excellence from all staff members, from top to bottom, through a coaching style of management. By viewing the people you work with as a team, you can transform the work environment and, ultimately, the services you are providing your customers. Through real world examples, coaching scenarios, and ""pathways to excellence"" that are specific to library work, you will learn how to: Be both a coach and a player - the terminology and techniques; Recognize and utilize the abilities and talents of staff at all levels; Guide individuals toward a unified goal; Encourage innovation, flexibility, and problem-solving; Spotlight the big-win opportunities; Complete with reader-friendly tables and annotated references, Coaching in the Library is for any library that wants to put the potential of all staff on the playing field in order to achieve peak performance.