The Next Chapter
by Renée Olson, Editor-in-Chief -- School Library Journal, 10/1/1998
As SLJ's new editor, I want to make it difficult to put this magazine down.
The phone rings. You ignore it. There's a skirmish among family members in the other room. You're oblivious. The problem is that you're nearly finished with a book you simply cannot put down.
As you get closer to the book's end, you may even find yourself reading more slowly--unconsciously at first, then more deliberately, to savor the experience. A troubling thought intrudes: Will your next book be as good as this one?
Regular SLJ readers know that a remarkable chapter in the history of this magazine closed last month when Editor-in-Chief Lillian N. Gerhardt retired after 32 years. Gerhardt made her mark on the field as a demanding advocate for librarians who work with young people.For her fans, her departure may give rise to the same feelings that readers develop for beloved characters in books, the factor primarily responsible for the success of series titles: "I don't want this to end. Is there more?"
As SLJ's new editor, I'm happy to say the answer is:
Yes.
Absolutely.
Of course.
Actually, there could be no other response. Lillian created a magazine that puts critical thinking first, which, frankly, the field deserves. For that simple reason, we will continue to offer news to keep you on top of significant trends, articles to inspire you, and high-quality reviews to help you select materials intelligently--no matter what the format.Lillian also served the profession by using her magazine to fashion a sense of professional camaraderie, a "we're-in-this-together" spirit. It's a crucial form of support, one that's desperately needed every time we hear about another principal who, unaware that her library media center is stagnating, threatens to cut funding, or about a public library director who seems unconcerned that you've just worked your fourth Saturday in a row. Since SLJ's staff is made up of people who are extremely passionate about libraries for young people, I'm confident we'll be able to keep that spirit going, too.
My charge, of course, is also to look to the future. Chances are you've heard talk that we as a society are on the brink of millennial change, thanks to technology, great migratory activity on the part of humans, and, yes, a radical increase in the number of body piercings. Still, change has to be my least favorite word--not because I'm averse to it, but because the word itself has become overused and, hence, meaningless. Instead, I prefer the word evolution. It's a more accurate way to describe how we actually experience--okay, I'll say it--change. The staff and I will soon decide just where this magazine should go next. A great deal of what we do now has staying power, especially when we address the eternal questions librarians face--from the fundamental, such as the primacy to the profession of library services for children and teens, to the contentious, such as defining the intellectual freedom rights of young people.
Still, if we're to fulfill our responsibility--which I see as helping you determine what will benefit young readers, or perhaps, more importantly, what won't--we must anticipate the issues that will captivate some of you, and frustrate others. That means we'll cover innovative ideas and emerging technology, as well as new materials and products, all with a critical eye. Everything we do will be designed to keep you well informed and, thus, be a constant amazement to your colleagues and supervisors.
Before I sign off, I'm pleased to tell you that over the next year, Lillian will work on special projects for SLJ, as well as pen her 1999 Arbuthnot Lecture, scheduled for April 16 at San Jose (CA) State University.
In the world of children's literature, sometimes the story doesn't have to end.
Editor-in-Chief
rolson@slj.cahners.com
Renée Olson
Editor-in-Chief
rolson@slj.cahners.com
