Selection Aid Toolkit - September 10, 2020

Booklist Online: The best book reviews for public libraries and school libraries, and the best books to read for your book club, brought to you by the ALA

-Booklist
-Published and sponsored by the American Library Association
-Grade levels served: K-12
-Types of materials included: Print magazines, an extensive database, e-newsletters, webinars, & various other resources that help librarians in collection development
-Resources are updated on a regular basis.
-There is a review of materials for each book/collection given or searched for.
-Reviewers consist of Booklists' editorial staff and are chosen by writing to one of the staff members with a sample of your writing.
-Each review contains a summary of the book, the ISBN number, the publication date, the publisher, the cost of the book, and reviewer information.

-Voices of Youth Advocates, published by E L Kurdyla Publishing LLC in Bowie, MD.
-VOYA is published by an official publishing company.
-Materials are typically targeted for young adult, ages 12 - 18.
**I included this resource because we have several gifted classes at my school and we are constantly needing books/resources to suit their needs.
-VOYA includes booklists, columns, and online article archives, and is updated regularly.
-The resource also includes a review of materials, which include genre; the best sellers list; genre honor lists; and hot topics.
-The reviewers for the resources are distinguished by the magazine's unique Q and P rating system and are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5.
-The reviews contain a summary of the resource, the ISBN number, the price, the publisher and the year it was published; and the year it officially was published to VOYA.

-The Teacher Librarian, which is sponsored by the YGSgroup.
-TL is targeted for grades K-12, and contains book and media reviews, as well as app and website reviews, columns, reviews of library related materials, articles on the latest technology, the best new books for children, and various internet resources.
-The Teacher Librarian is updated on a regular basis.
-TL features reviews from fiction and nonfiction books, as well as media for any and all K-12 students.
-Reviewers are teacher-librarians who are experienced in making connections between fiction and nonfiction titles to the curriculum in each school.
-Reviews include professional material and connections to the curriculum.

-BTW: The Source for Independent Book Selling is published by the American Booksellers Association and is sponsored by Follett.
-Materials in this resource are to help independently owned bookstores and to assist in education.
-While the grade levels are not specifically listed, the resource is aimed to help partners in education throughout.
-BTW includes resources about banned books, free speech, a book buyer's handbook, resources regarding black lives and inclusion, and resources for the ABC Children's Group.
-Although the resources listed have no official reviews, important key factors are taken into consideration, such as helping bookstores and education partners have the best quality of books.

-School Library Journal is published by Media Source, Inc.
-SLJ is targeted for all grades, K-12, and includes various resources such as back to school articles, advocacy articles, book reviews, information on books and media, information on budget and funding, blogs, and diversity.
-The items contained in this resource are updated regularly, and have reviews by various people, which contain the title, the date, and a summary.
-There are also reviews, articles, and information regarding book awards, blogs, and fiction and non-fiction books.
-In order to become a reviewer for this site, one must send in an application to their marketing director.

-ABC Clio's motto is : The most credible and trustworthy source for schools and libraries. They are sponsored and partnered by the American Association of School Librarians.
-Materials on this website include resources for librarians at any grade level, to include 16 different curriculum and research databases with student lessons and teacher support, free resources for classrooms and libraries, and information about authors.
-Though there are no reviews for the resources used, they are partnered and sponsored by various awards: Robert B. Downs Intellectual Freedom Award, Frances Henne Award, Vicky Speck Leadership Award, and ABC-Clio Research Grants.

-Libraries and Autism is published by Libraries and Autism: We're Connected.
-This resource is to serve individuals with autism and their families more effectively.
-Resources include videos, strategies, projects, workshops, non-verbal communication tools, and a customizable book/story template.
-There are no reviews on their resources, however, it is stated that this is an award-winning project, offering workshops and resources to library staff in order to help them better serve individuals with ASD.

-The Association of College and Research Libraries is a company published by the American Library Association.
-The ACRL is to help any media specialist with guidelines, transfer policies, transfer criteria, market value, rarity and scarcity, date/place of publication, bibliographical and research value, procedures, cataloging review, and online and print resources.
-The website and it's resources are updated annually.
-There are no reviews, however, there are several awards given that recognize the professional contributions.

-YALSA, published by the American Library Association, is widely known to all media specialists/librarians to offer tips and resources for the every day library.
-Resources on this site include issues for Act 4 Teens & Advocacy and Activism, information about awards and grants, information about conferences and events, continuing education, resources and tools, and also additional resources.
-YALSA is updated annually, and has published a list of Best Books for Young Adults, as well as information regarding the Library Services to Children and award winners from the Newbery and Caldecott awards.

-This resource is published by Library Operational Procedures.
-Even though this particular resource is about the El Camino College Library, I believe it contains important information that any media specialist will be able to utilize.
-There are no reviews for this resource, however, the information is very important and one that will help a school library remain functional by weeding out old/not necessary material, and gives information regarding materials abiding by the school's/library's mission.

-The American Reference Books Annual is a resource created and published by Libraries Unlimited.
-ARBA is considered one of the most comprehensive databases that share quality reviews and electronic reference words.
-The site is updated monthly in order to get libraries the most up-to-date information.
-ARBA can be utilized by any librarian in order to help him/her select quality reference works, perfect the collection development process, stay up-to-date on the latest releases and editions of other books and resources, and maintain a libraries needs and standards.
-A few sample reviews are given, and these reviews contain the following information: ISBN number, website, price, publisher information, and a summary.

-Book Review Digest is published by EBSCO Information Services.
-It is an essential tool provided to librarians that gives access to book reviews, newspapers, journals, and magazines.
-Materials are updated regularly and include videos, eBrochures, infographics, webinars, success stories, white papers, articles, and book reviews.
-Book Review Digest serves all elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools.
-The resources do not have individual reviews, however, each one is based upon the latest and up-to-date information on book reviews, newspapers, journals, and magazines.

-The Librarian's Guide is sponsored and published by the American Library Association.
-The guide is updated regularly, and provides a list of links to a variety of ALA's literature award winning books and reading lists.
-This site can be used for all grade levels, as it contains resources for children, young adults/teens, adults, and even has leveled readers included.
-There are also resources/links specifically designed to help librarians, as well as celebrate diversity.
-There are no reviews, however, the books/resources listed are based on various awards such as: the Andrew Carnegie Medals for Fiction & Nonfiction, the Caldecott Medal, the Coretta Scott King Book Awards, and the Newbery Medal Award...just to name a few.

-Scholastic Library Publishing is the world's largest publisher of children's books.
-Scholastic is a well-known resource that gives access to print and digital resources, resources specifically for librarians, and access to tons of books.
-These resources are designed for students in pre-k through twelfth grades.
-It is updated regularly in order give students and librarians the most up-to-date books, resources, and information.
-Various sites like Booklist and School Library Journal have given reviews to Scholastic's resources/books. These reviews include, but are not limited to: summaries of the books, dates, other titles in the same series, and publication information.

-Public Libraries Online is published by the Public Library Association, and is affiliated with the American Library Association.
-The site includes blogs from previous or current media specialist, mailing lists to be a part of, books, e-newsletters, magazines, podcasts and videos, and a store where you can purchase books/materials/etc.
-Any age can use this site, but it is suited more for older teens and adults, as well as current media specialists/librarians.
-Contributors and reviewers update the website and resources monthly and are always looking for new contributors to help add to their list of already amazing resources. They can apply through the website.

-Reading Rockets is published by WETA Public Broadcasting and is partnered with the American Library Association.
-Reading Rockets is geared toward the younger generation, but some of the resources could also be used for older grades/children.
-The site has a ton of resources for teachers and librarians, such as: help and ways to teach reading, interventions for struggling readers, author studies, themed booklists, a guide for choosing books, videos, blogs, and newsletters.
-Reading Rockets also offers research-based reading strategies, lessons, and activities for teachers and media specialists.
-Although there are no official reviews for each resource, categories are determined based on author interviews, author studies, themed booklists, summer booklists, and award-winners.

-Be Internet Awesome is a multifaceted program that includes a fun and free web-based game called Interland and an educational curriculum to teach kids how to be safe and responsible explorers of the online world.
-Be Internet Awesome aligns with ISTE (International Society for Technology in Education), as well as AASL (American Association of School Librarians).
-The site is geared toward the ages of 7 - 12, however, older kids could possibly enjoy the resources, also.
-Be Internet Awesome contains multiple resources to help kids/students/families/educators/librarians teach a curriculum on internet safety including: guides, coloring books, tips, family links, videos, games, and lessons for librarians to teach.

-BookSpot is a way media specialists of all grade levels can find the best book reviews, book awards, online texts, reading lists, author and publisher information, book stores, book news, and book events.
-It is published by Startspot Media Works, and can be used at any grade level, in any school, and by any media specialist/librarian.
-In addition to all the resources listed above, BookSpot also contains genre information, suggestions about what to read based on your interests, and podcasts.
-Reviews are made by authors from places like the New York Times, the Washington Post, and Salon.com.