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HARPER, Meghan. Reference Sources and Services for Youth. 307p. illus. bibliog. chron. further reading. glossary. index. Web sites. CIP. Neal-Schuman. 2011. Tr $65. ISBN 978-1-55570-641-8. LC 2011004987. HELMRICH, Erin & Elizabeth Schneider. Create, Relate, & Pop @ the Library: Services & Programs for Teens & Tweens. 218p. photos. further reading. index. Web sites. CIP. Neal-Schuman. 2011. pap. $55. ISBN 978-1-55570-722-4. LC 2011004986. MACDONELL, Colleen. Essential Documents for School Libraries. 2nd ed. 156p. w/CD. charts. bibliog. index. Web sites. CIP. Linworth. 2010. pap. $50. ISBN 978-1-58683-400-5. LC 2010021241. MCGHEE, Marla W. & Barbara A. Jansen. The Principal’s Guide to a Powerful Library Media Program: A School Library for the 21st Century. rev. ed. 149p. w/CD. appendix. bibliog. further reading. index. Web sites. CIP. Linworth. 2010. pap. $45. ISBN 978-1-58683-526-2; spiral $45. ISBN 978-1-58683-527-9. LC 2010021243. WELCH, Rollie James. A Core Collection for Young Adults. 2nd ed. 417p. (Teens @ the Library Series). w/CD. appendix. bibliog. index. CIP. Neal-Schuman. 2011. pap. $75. ISBN 978-1-55570-692-0. LC 2010046693.
The concept of school and public library collaboration is thoroughly explored in this excellent volume on providing reference services. The chapter on information literacy includes web links with information about standards, models, instruction and assessment, rubrics, web quests, graphic organizers, evaluation tools, and assessment. Additional chapters provide a discussion of online resources, government resources for youth, evaluation and marketing reference services, and managing them. The chapter on suggested core collections is divided into resources for grades K-4, 5-8, and 9-12. When using the core reference materials as guides, readers should check for updated editions of some of the suggested materials. Each chapter includes an introduction, a summary, exercises, scenarios, references, and further reading. Many chapters contain charts, tables, print and web resources, and screen shots. An excellent source for general professional use as well as for graduate study. –Rebecca Sheridan, Easttown Library & Information Center, Berwyn, PA
This volume opens with a decade-by-decade overview of teen/tween pop culture from the 1950s to present. The authors then explain their approach: to create access to information and opportunities for teens to create something, to relate to this audience by making connections and being relevant, and to realize that “pop” is what tweens and teens are interested in. This guide will assist librarians in marketing programs through branding, information-gathering, and a variety of methods of promotion, including print, social networks, and even a “street team” word-of-mouth approach. The 13 chapters outline 47 programs from start to finish. Details include supplies, implementation, “food/technology, and other mandatory extras,” and advertising ideas. Categories include art, celebrity and reality TV, crafts, cooking, contests, Japanese popular culture, style and beauty, and gaming. The chapter on music programming is a weak point as it only includes one program based on an outdated children’s fad. Overall, though, this is a handy guide. –Jessica Breslin, Cuyahoga County Public Library, Parma, OH
In this updated edition, the author has taken a collection of documents from the original volume (2005) to meet current library needs. The contents encompass all areas of basic library functions involved in managing the needs of students and library facilities. In a readable and conversational style and packed with valuable materials, advice, recommendations, etc., the opening chapters address the importance of planning and setting goals. Subsequent chapters focus on creating reports, publicity, teaching, facilitating, programming and collaborative planning, procedures and rules, promoting the library, teaching, and guidelines. Each chapter begins with an explanation and definition of the type of document, followed by a clarification of its role. Necessary steps for laying the groundwork, the writing process, visibility, communication, achieving results, and a summary of action accompany the examples. Reports, memos, situations, tables, forms, graphs, charts, etc., are included and assist in creating a useful guide for all school librarians. The accompanying CD simplifies the process of implementing the recommended reports and forms by providing templates for all documents mentioned in the text. An invaluable resource.–Susan Shaver, Hemingford Public Schools, NE
With focused and well-organized topics from understanding the research and standards to supporting and sustaining them through collaborative processes, this revised edition (Linworth, 2005) offers a great deal of concrete information. The first chapter asks, “What is instructional leadership?” Literacy is addressed, and principals empowering their librarians as partners in a leadership role is advocated. This book gives administrators a clear idea of what is required in the media center and the role of the librarian as a specialist and not just a dispenser of information in a routine capacity. The next chapter addresses collaboration at multiple levels and the obstacles that arise in the process. The authors point out that principals foster greater support for media specialists when they understand the professional activities outside the walls of the library, the noninstructional duties required, and the need for 21st-century tools to get the job done. Principals’ expectations and evaluation of media specialists are discussed in later chapters. Finally, the issue of continued involvement is addressed. While the book is written with school librarians and principals as the primary readers, it can be adapted for public librarians to create open communication between both entities. Overall, an excellent choice for the professional media specialist’s or principal’s shelf. –Donna Marie Wagner, George West High School Library, TX
In this expanded and revised edition of the original title (2003), Welch takes on the singular task of updating and adding to a suggested core list. Citations to reviews from Booklist, School Library Journal, VOYA, and Kirkus are included with each of the 1386 title entries. Fiction is broken down by subject; it includes more widely known genres such as classics, romance, and science fiction as well as more eclectic ones like “Cautionary Novels” and “Inspirational Fiction.” While the book as a whole may seem daunting to many librarians, the subject breakdown provides an interesting and practical list of titles for collections that might be lacking in one area or another. While some lists are larger than others, including a very spare section on graphic novels, the appendixes with “Top 10” lists from various ALA committees and the inclusion of several years’ worth of award winners help to give the volume an overall refined execution.–Ryan Donovan, New York Public Library
