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BISHOP, Kay. Connecting Libraries with Classrooms: The Curricular Roles of the Media Specialist. 2nd ed. 122p. bibliog. further reading. index. Web sites. CIP. ABC-CLIO. 2011. pap. $85. ISBN 978-1-59884-599-0; ebook $85. ISBN 978-1-59884-600-3. LC 2010051623. DE LAS CASAS, Dianne. Tell Along Tales!: Playing with Participation Stories. illus. by Soleil Lisette. 125p. further reading. notes. Web sites. CIP. Libraries Unlimited. 2011. Tr $30. ISBN 978-1-59884-635-5; ebook $30. ISBN 978-1-59884-636-2. LC 2011000335. LARSON, Jeanette. El día de los niños/El día de los libros: Building a Culture of Literacy in Your Community through Día. 124p. (Celebrating Culture in Your Library Series). photos. bibliog. further reading. index. notes. Web sites. CIP. ALA. 2011. pap. $45. ISBN 978-0-8389-3599-6. LC 2010053869. LITTLEJOHN, Carol. Book Clubbing!: Successful Book Clubs for Young People. 128p. illus. appendix. bibliog. index. CIP. ABC-CLIO. 2011. pap. $35. ISBN 978-1-58683-414-2; ebook $35. ISBN 978-1-58683-415-9. LC 2010053242. SOLOMON, Laura. Doing Social Media So It Matters: A Librarian’s Guide. 64p. (ALA Editions Special Report Series). charts. bibliog. index. CIP. ALA. 2011. pap. $37. ISBN 978-0-8389-1067-2. LC 2010034319.
Originally written as an instructional tool, this volume continues with updated terminology, information, and useful guidelines designed to help school librarians take a more active role in their K-12 curriculum. Although the content is not all-inclusive, the author leads readers from well-researched information on the selected topics to others for group discussion and consideration. Chapter one emphasizes the importance of establishing partnerships with teachers, principals, students, and community. References to AASL documents regarding standards, involvement, and NCLB connect the topic to the role of the school librarian. Following chapters in this section cover reading in the elementary school, music education in the middle school, and English as a second language, all addressing the value of the librarian’s role. The second section examines special groups and gives suggestions for supporting students who are autistic, mobile, and gay or lesbian. Several chapters on various educational trends–the use of Web resources and tools, teaching with these tools, distance education and inclusion–address the pros and cons of these trends. The importance and relevance of these and other, related topics will spark some serious discussion. Each chapter provides background, definitions, a section on the role of the school librarian/library, a list of references, and a text box of suggested activities. The articulate, yet somewhat conversational text makes for interesting, motivational reading. A bibliography listed by chapter includes many suggested readings from books, educational journals, and websites.–Susan Shaver, Hemingford Public Schools, NE
In five chapters chock-full of storyteller tips and ideas, de las Casas explains various types of participation models from call-and-response to directed role-playing and covers how to direct questions to the group. She offers valuable clues for warming up an audience and for settling boisterous children back down. Group leaders will learn to recognize a useful story when they read one by keeping in mind the “Rule of 3 to 5,” which refers to choosing stories that have repetitive action from three to five times, as in the “Three Little Pigs.” The main body of the book contains the author’s choices of suitable stories from around the world with suggested age levels and pointers for leaders. These selections are sure to spice up group gatherings. Both novice and veteran storytellers will benefit from the myriad suggestions offered here.–Blair Christolon, Prince William Public Library System, Manassas, VA
The library program referred to as “Día” is being revamped to encourage the inclusion of a multitude of cultures and languages in addition to the Spanish-speaking community. The first chapter is dedicated to the history and goals of the program since it started in 1997. Ideas for school and public library settings are addressed in separate chapters and include discussions of planning committees, events, budgeting, suggested books and activities, and sharing ideas from other libraries. The resource section lists libraries that have held successful Día events and websites for publishers of materials in a variety of languages and online bookstores that carry multiple languages. Experienced librarians who host reading events that promote multiculturalism will not find anything new here, but those who are new to the field will gain some insight on how a storytime or reading event can be conducted for a wide variety of patrons. Another source for ideas is Linda B. Alexander and Nahyun Kwon’s Multicultural Programs for Tweens and Teens (ALA, 2010).–Sandra Welzenbach, Villarreal Elementary School, San Antonio, TX
Instead of the traditional approach to a whole group reading a single text, Book Clubbing! presents step-by-step instructions and a series of activities to form what Littlejohn calls “flexible book clubs” that allow the participants to choose what they read. While research supports the role of choice in promoting leisure reading, very few of the highlighted activities are particularly innovative. Booktalks, book trailers, games, and author visits are activities that many libraries already integrate into their programs. Each section offers tips for different age ranges as well as keywords for effective search-engine queries, though many of them are painfully obvious (in the storytelling chapter, the keyword “storytelling” is suggested). While this book may provide helpful information for someone with no experience in promoting reading, it is an additional purchase at best.–Nicole Waskie-Laura, Chenango Forks Elementary, Binghamton, NY
This slim manual is packed with useful advice. Solomon, a library services manager for the Ohio Public Information Network, sprinkles her account with real-world examples of the power of libraries leveraging social media. She makes a strong case for establishing social-media accounts, stressing the importance of setting goals before beginning, as well as describing the different kinds of accounts. Discussions about branding, social capital, and other strategies for success are especially important. Wrapping up with chapters on statistics and whether the investment of time and effort is worthwhile, Solomon gives libraries the knowledge they need to proceed on their own. Equally relevant for librarians developing a professional presence online, this guide fully covers the world of social media. For any librarian who feels lost in this area, this book will be a lifeline.–Melissa Rabey, Frederick County Public Libraries, MD
