Selection basics, part 4 OR graphic novels

Graphic novels are hugely popular, especially with two disparate groups of readers, very able readers or struggling readers.  Consider the following rationale for graphic novels:

• Graphic novels may enable readers to process & comprehend material from a nontraditional format of text
• Graphic novels may promote visual literacy
• Graphic novels may be a bridge to literacy and reading development
• Graphic novels may give confidence and a positive reading experience to struggling and reluctant readers
• Graphic novels may be enjoyable and lead to independent reading

Our selection guidelines ask that librarians seek published, professional reviews if possible. Because of the proliferation of the genre, traditional reviews are not always available.

Publishers of manga often use a rating system.  While these do not take the place of reviews, we have opted to include these ratings in our guidelines as an attempt to establish some consistency in selection. 

If a favorable review isn't available, librarians may consider graphic novels with the following publisher ratings:

*E (everyone) or A (all ages) for elementary, middle school, and/or high school libraries
*Y (youth, ages 10+) and T (teens, ages 13+) for middle school and/or high school libraries
*T+ or OT (teens, ages 16+) for high school libraries
*M (mature, 18+) and AD (adult) do not follow selection guidelines and may not be purchased

For further reading, check out Jason Thompson's The Complete Guide to Manga.

Selection basics, part 3 OR what if I can't find reviews?

This food metaphor I have going for selection is torturing me today, so I'm switching to a picture of shoes.  Much better.

Yesterday we talked the tiniest bit about using reviews to select books.  Published, professional reviews are usually available for the majority of books published traditionally except nonfiction series and graphic novels.

Our selection guidelines specify that librarians should first search for reviews in Booklist, BCCB, Horn Book, LMC, SLJ, or VOYA, as applicable. An absence of reviews (with a few exceptions as listed previously) likely speaks volumes.

But what happens if you need to purchase some new books about weather or arctic animals or countries of the world?

If a favorable review does not exist in one of the journals previously listed, our librarians may purchase materials at their professional discretion after thoughtfully weighing the factors listed below.  In all cases, librarians should err on the side of caution when considering any material for which no reviews exist in these six journals.

Criteria for consideration includes the following:

• Publisher's reputation
• Needs of the curriculum
• Author's reputation
• Endorsement by a professional association
• The need for a balanced and diverse collection
• Inclusion in a retrospective collection tool (such as Wilson's Children's, Jr. High, or Sr. High Catalog, as applicable

More to come on graphic novels...

Selection basics, part 2

Selecting books can be overwhelming at times, especially for new librarians.  So many books!  So little money!  Which ones to choose?

A good starting point is to consider some guidelines for selection.  Our district has written selection guidelines, a few of which I'll include below...

1.  Individual materials should be purchased with the entire collection in mind.
2.  It is recognized that every book in the library will not be relevant for every student.
3.  Material selection should be guided by published, professional reviews (More on this later...).
4.  Minimum best practice dicates that books considered be favorably reviewed in at least one journal.
5.  The review must include at least one grade level served by the purchasing campus.

We want our librarians to consider reviews from traditional, professional sources. As such, we have narrowed the sources that may be considered to Booklist, Bulletin of the Center of Children's Books, Horn Book, Library Media Connection, School Library Journal, and Voice of Youth Advocates.  These journals have much more credibility than Joe Reader who posts reviews online!

I'll feature these in a separate post.  In the meantime, have a cupcake! 

Selection basics

As a new librarian, I often bemoaned the fact that I couldn't "see" the books before I bought them.  I wanted some sort of giant warehouse with every book available on display.  Then I could simply take a big cart and walk up and down the aisles, sampling books like chocolate until I found the "good" ones.  Selection didn't get easier until I paid attention to good old MLS basics. 

Read reviews.
Know your journals.
Pay attention to grade designations.
Consider the curriculum and the needs of students and staff.
Know the difference between selection and censorship.