Friday, May 9, 2008
Other Programs
I also blogged from the conference for the MLA Youth Services blog, which contains some content about programs I didn't write here (such as the Financial Literacy for Teens program and our gaming program).
Thursday, May 8, 2008
Intellectual Freedom Program
I went to a great program today regarding the reading rights of children in the library. The panelists were Roger Sutton, editor in chief of Horn Book Magazine and Maggie Bush, professor from Simmons College Graduate School of Library and Information Science. (Anyone who has ever taken any children's or young adult course at the school has encountered Maggie at least once). The two had wonderful chemistry and sparked a lively conversation regarding reading rights of children in the library. Do we respect the rights of children to read when their parents don't want them to read certain books? How do we approach this issue as both parents and librarians? Is it enough to discuss books that children may not be ready for? Should we encourage parents to read the same books as their children? Just because children may not be ready for certain books, does that mean that they shouldn't read them? This program was an hour and fifteen minutes but it easily could have been three hours. This was a debate when I was in library school and it was several years before, and it will continue to be a debate especially as we continue to explore other media.
Publishers Weekly and Library Journal
Greetings from Day 2 at the Massachusetts Library Association Conference. I'm currently at a workshop featuring review editors from Publishers' Weekly (PW) and Library Journal (LJ), two of the journals that we use at the WPL to select our materials. I was a little late for this workshop because I had to help set up a Youth Services workshop, but I think I came in at a good time. Instead of a traditional panel discussion, the librarians on the panel asked questions, instead, and then opened up the discussion to the audience. The panelists were Jonathan Segura from PW, Barbara Hoffert from LJ, Nancy Aberman from the Reading Public Library, and Kathy Miksis from the Reading Public Library.
Some of the important aspects of reviewing:
1) If reviewing fiction, don't give away the whole plot. I find this interesting because adult book reviews do tend to hold in the plot, while young adult book reviews don't always seem to hold true to this rule. I wonder why. Perhaps because those who read young adult reviews tend to be adults, and not the actual audience for the book. (Though I read the YA stuff!)
2) Because of the advent of databases such as Book Index with Reviews (to which we subscribe) and Amazon.Com which feature capsule reviews from these sources, the actual reviews from the sources need to be formatted differently. Electronic records are going to be the permanent record.
3) Question: How you do select your reviewers?
PW : Put up a call on their website for reviewers. They also look in house for reviewers. Occasionally, people do e-mail PW who want to review, but it depends whether or not the magazine is looking for reviewers. The reviewers are paid a small stipend. They try to figure out what the experience and expertise of the reviewer are. This is easier with non-fiction. Jonathan is a big fan of the paranormal genre, featuring vampires, etc.
LJ: Also agreed that it is easier to pin down non-fiction reviewers. (LJ is always looking for reviewers. Go to their website). In the case of a new reviewer, LJ needs to become familiar with the book that is assigned, as well as read between the lines. New reviewers are always asked to submit two reviewers before being considered. This is because Barbara wants the candidate to become familiar with the task of writing a 200 word review. Barbara has never had to fire anyone, but there are people who leave, and reviews are also scratched. "Our reviewers are fabulous!"
4) What should reviews contain?
PW: A good review needs a summary, discuss whether the book is supposed to do. Negative reviews are harder to write, for this reason.
LJ: Fiction tends to be easier to write with a shorter word count, while social science usually isn't. There is a flow that goes with a 200 word review.
5) What is the mission of your magazine?
PW:They don't review reference, self published books, travel guides, etc. (The book room for Publishers' Weekly is very small. ) Try to get all of the big titles from the big publishers. They also try to cover the small independent publishers. What is the best for the readership? (which is changing) PW also receives two copies of each book, which also causes some storage problems.
LJ: They don't require two copies of books, mainly because of storage issues. LJ does not review children's books (see School Library Journal), and books in other languages, with the exception of Spanish books for their Criticas journal. LJ did not review self published books, but Barbara mentioned that the world is changing in regards to independent and small publishing.
6) What about books with large advertising budgets and book tours?
PW: In order to keep up, need to review this book, because the mainstream will be aware of the book and wonder about it.
LJ: Agreed, but publishers need to recognize that LJ does publish negative reviews, so if it's not recommended, the reviewer will not be afraid to say it.
7) Covering debuts
PW: The expectations are different for those who are established authors as opposed to those who aren't.
LJ: Barbara likes to do debuts, and the magazine features a New Fiction roundup. It's hard to get attention for second books because publishers find it easier to track sales information for a first novel. Because of this, Barbara likes to track second time authors, as well.
8) Question: Would it save space to not review books that libraries are going to purchase, anyway, such as best selling authors, etc.
LJ: Need to acknowledge these books, but perhaps it would be better to have them be capsule reviews.
9) Question: Why don't librarians use more online reviews, instead of passing around copies of the magazine?
(note: We've started doing that, here. Marialice reads the print magazine of PW, and I read online and this way Tom gets our suggestions earlier).
10) Question: Do your galleys come with cover art?
PW: Sometimes.
11) Question: Who decides what receives starred reviews? What is the criteria?
LJ: Now, the individual editor decides with the individual review who receives the starred review.
Some of the important aspects of reviewing:
1) If reviewing fiction, don't give away the whole plot. I find this interesting because adult book reviews do tend to hold in the plot, while young adult book reviews don't always seem to hold true to this rule. I wonder why. Perhaps because those who read young adult reviews tend to be adults, and not the actual audience for the book. (Though I read the YA stuff!)
2) Because of the advent of databases such as Book Index with Reviews (to which we subscribe) and Amazon.Com which feature capsule reviews from these sources, the actual reviews from the sources need to be formatted differently. Electronic records are going to be the permanent record.
3) Question: How you do select your reviewers?
PW : Put up a call on their website for reviewers. They also look in house for reviewers. Occasionally, people do e-mail PW who want to review, but it depends whether or not the magazine is looking for reviewers. The reviewers are paid a small stipend. They try to figure out what the experience and expertise of the reviewer are. This is easier with non-fiction. Jonathan is a big fan of the paranormal genre, featuring vampires, etc.
LJ: Also agreed that it is easier to pin down non-fiction reviewers. (LJ is always looking for reviewers. Go to their website). In the case of a new reviewer, LJ needs to become familiar with the book that is assigned, as well as read between the lines. New reviewers are always asked to submit two reviewers before being considered. This is because Barbara wants the candidate to become familiar with the task of writing a 200 word review. Barbara has never had to fire anyone, but there are people who leave, and reviews are also scratched. "Our reviewers are fabulous!"
4) What should reviews contain?
PW: A good review needs a summary, discuss whether the book is supposed to do. Negative reviews are harder to write, for this reason.
LJ: Fiction tends to be easier to write with a shorter word count, while social science usually isn't. There is a flow that goes with a 200 word review.
5) What is the mission of your magazine?
PW:They don't review reference, self published books, travel guides, etc. (The book room for Publishers' Weekly is very small. ) Try to get all of the big titles from the big publishers. They also try to cover the small independent publishers. What is the best for the readership? (which is changing) PW also receives two copies of each book, which also causes some storage problems.
LJ: They don't require two copies of books, mainly because of storage issues. LJ does not review children's books (see School Library Journal), and books in other languages, with the exception of Spanish books for their Criticas journal. LJ did not review self published books, but Barbara mentioned that the world is changing in regards to independent and small publishing.
6) What about books with large advertising budgets and book tours?
PW: In order to keep up, need to review this book, because the mainstream will be aware of the book and wonder about it.
LJ: Agreed, but publishers need to recognize that LJ does publish negative reviews, so if it's not recommended, the reviewer will not be afraid to say it.
7) Covering debuts
PW: The expectations are different for those who are established authors as opposed to those who aren't.
LJ: Barbara likes to do debuts, and the magazine features a New Fiction roundup. It's hard to get attention for second books because publishers find it easier to track sales information for a first novel. Because of this, Barbara likes to track second time authors, as well.
8) Question: Would it save space to not review books that libraries are going to purchase, anyway, such as best selling authors, etc.
LJ: Need to acknowledge these books, but perhaps it would be better to have them be capsule reviews.
9) Question: Why don't librarians use more online reviews, instead of passing around copies of the magazine?
(note: We've started doing that, here. Marialice reads the print magazine of PW, and I read online and this way Tom gets our suggestions earlier).
10) Question: Do your galleys come with cover art?
PW: Sometimes.
11) Question: Who decides what receives starred reviews? What is the criteria?
LJ: Now, the individual editor decides with the individual review who receives the starred review.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Greetings from MLA
Hello there,
Some more formal greetings from MLA while waiting for tonight's dinner. I arrived last night after attending a workshop with Louise all day yesterday. The traffic was not too bad, amazingly and I was able to catch up with a former co-worker who is now working in Methuen. She told me about some amazing programs that they were doing in Methuen, including arranging a citizenship swearing in ceremony in the library's auditorium.
I went to three programs today: Not your Grandmother's Library (that I blogged about earlier), IMing for reference, and the Youth Services Annual Program. Marialice was with me at the IM workshop and it was fascinating. Todd had wanted to set up an IM service in reference a few months back, and after hearing the speakers today, I am certainly hooked. Not only is it a great way to keep up with some of the younger patrons, but it is a wonderful way to answer reference questions, and really have a full reference interview that one can't do over e-mail. In addition to the library director from Oregon, we also heard from the young adult librarian in Framingham, reference librarian from Fitchburg State, and a law librarian from one of the trial court libraries. A lot of our patrons are using IM as a way of communication, now, and we need to start doing stuff like this to reach our patrons. Plus, it's free. As long as I don't have to always be asked to write "LOL" on a very regular basis, then I'm all for it!
Our Youth Services Section meeting featured representatives from the Reach Out and Read program as well as Gareth Hinds, a local graphic novel artist and writer. The Reach Out and Read program sets up low income children with books during their doctor's visits. They're a great organization. Gareth Hinds has written and illustrated several graphic novels, including Beowulf and King Lear. He also designed some video games, including the Nintendo DS version of the Incredibles. Apparently, when he makes school visits, the kids find this very cool. He also does library visits, and perhaps it's something we should consider for both our young adult patrons as well as some of our adult patrons. (Plenty of them are interested in graphic novels, and comics, as well!)
I'm sure by now, you have all heard about my computer woes. In order to obtain wireless, one has to pay $7 a day, which is unusual for a hotel or a conference center, these days. Furthermore, World Client is blocked, so I am unable to check my Minuteman e-mail. Last, the power adapter for the laptop broke, but I managed to get a new one. Staples and Wal-Mart were sold out, but Radio Shack saved the day so a big thanks to the very nice guys at the Radio Shack on Route 28 in Falmouth.
That's all for now. TTYL (as the IMers say)
Some more formal greetings from MLA while waiting for tonight's dinner. I arrived last night after attending a workshop with Louise all day yesterday. The traffic was not too bad, amazingly and I was able to catch up with a former co-worker who is now working in Methuen. She told me about some amazing programs that they were doing in Methuen, including arranging a citizenship swearing in ceremony in the library's auditorium.
I went to three programs today: Not your Grandmother's Library (that I blogged about earlier), IMing for reference, and the Youth Services Annual Program. Marialice was with me at the IM workshop and it was fascinating. Todd had wanted to set up an IM service in reference a few months back, and after hearing the speakers today, I am certainly hooked. Not only is it a great way to keep up with some of the younger patrons, but it is a wonderful way to answer reference questions, and really have a full reference interview that one can't do over e-mail. In addition to the library director from Oregon, we also heard from the young adult librarian in Framingham, reference librarian from Fitchburg State, and a law librarian from one of the trial court libraries. A lot of our patrons are using IM as a way of communication, now, and we need to start doing stuff like this to reach our patrons. Plus, it's free. As long as I don't have to always be asked to write "LOL" on a very regular basis, then I'm all for it!
Our Youth Services Section meeting featured representatives from the Reach Out and Read program as well as Gareth Hinds, a local graphic novel artist and writer. The Reach Out and Read program sets up low income children with books during their doctor's visits. They're a great organization. Gareth Hinds has written and illustrated several graphic novels, including Beowulf and King Lear. He also designed some video games, including the Nintendo DS version of the Incredibles. Apparently, when he makes school visits, the kids find this very cool. He also does library visits, and perhaps it's something we should consider for both our young adult patrons as well as some of our adult patrons. (Plenty of them are interested in graphic novels, and comics, as well!)
I'm sure by now, you have all heard about my computer woes. In order to obtain wireless, one has to pay $7 a day, which is unusual for a hotel or a conference center, these days. Furthermore, World Client is blocked, so I am unable to check my Minuteman e-mail. Last, the power adapter for the laptop broke, but I managed to get a new one. Staples and Wal-Mart were sold out, but Radio Shack saved the day so a big thanks to the very nice guys at the Radio Shack on Route 28 in Falmouth.
That's all for now. TTYL (as the IMers say)
Not your Grandmother's Library
Greetings from the MLA Conference. I've had a couple of glitches, namely the minuteman e-mail doesn't seem to work, here, and I had t buy a new power adapter for the laptop.
Currently, I am at Not your Grandmother's Library (with Kate, Tom, and Marialice) detailing how the libraries can survive in the world of Google, etc, with Marshall Keyes formerly of NELINET and now a consulting.
Some of the details:
1) New populations that we serve, including those who don't know what we do, don't care what we do, and can't get to where we are.
2) It's hard for libraries to get money.
3) Libraries are into the status quo
4) Can you be a librarian without the book? What would happen to the library if books were no longer a resource.
5) Libraries are running into counter trends.
6) Public education is more valued in other parts of the country than Massachusetts. Is it the same for public institutions. as well? Yes. Do people feel the same way about public libraries?
7) Libraries need to figure out what business they're in.
8) Who is our competition:
a) Google and the belief that the world's information is at everyone's fingertips.
b) Portable devices -- Ask how databases, etc. can be imported to portable phones, etc.
c) Amazon
d) Netflix
e) Bookswim -- Netflix for libraries. Users spend $20 a month to have books delivered!
9) Mr. Keyes then pointed out several quotations regarding libraries. One quote was from Jerry Seinfeld who mentioned the last time he read a library book. Another mentioned a 12 year old who was uncomfortable going into the library.
10) How do we refurbish the library brand and win people back to the library:
a) Meet the needs of emerging users.
b) There is a large immigrant population, which is certainly true for Waltham.
c) Increasing presence of African-American middle and upper class. Watch African-American lives on PBS.
d) The Google Nation
e) Demographic Changes
11) What do users want?
a) Interested in community, including community as whole, ethnic, and online
b) Portability -- everyone wants to be connected.
c) Personalization -- e.g. Pimp my Ride, ringtones
d) The PC is on the way out. Portable devices are where it's at. Students don't see the difference between television and the computer. In other words, they need to be able to access the library from anywhere. Mr. Keyes mentioned an ad for a phone that advertised everything except actually talking on the phone.
e) The cell phone is changing. Signs should say, "Please turn on cell phone when in library."
f) Social Networking Search Engines so friends can see searches which is not private, of course, but if it's only your friends, kids like that.
g) Users want something along the lines of Amazon.com
12) Privacy
a) Intelligent users need to know not to always expect privacy in an electronic world. Some users don't expect libraries to preserve their privacy.
13) Beyond browsers: Gaming and virtual worlds are very popular. At Appalachian State, there is a virtual world with librarian avatars (online persona) meeting with patron avatars. That would be an interesting way for us to have patron interactions! Obviously, entire libraries do not need to be built this way, but libraries should employ some of the features.
14) Companies and people that understand all of this:
a) Mac
b) BBC
c) Paul Hagner, from Educause
d) Susan Kent, from New York Public Library
Currently, I am at Not your Grandmother's Library (with Kate, Tom, and Marialice) detailing how the libraries can survive in the world of Google, etc, with Marshall Keyes formerly of NELINET and now a consulting.
Some of the details:
1) New populations that we serve, including those who don't know what we do, don't care what we do, and can't get to where we are.
2) It's hard for libraries to get money.
3) Libraries are into the status quo
4) Can you be a librarian without the book? What would happen to the library if books were no longer a resource.
5) Libraries are running into counter trends.
6) Public education is more valued in other parts of the country than Massachusetts. Is it the same for public institutions. as well? Yes. Do people feel the same way about public libraries?
7) Libraries need to figure out what business they're in.
8) Who is our competition:
a) Google and the belief that the world's information is at everyone's fingertips.
b) Portable devices -- Ask how databases, etc. can be imported to portable phones, etc.
c) Amazon
d) Netflix
e) Bookswim -- Netflix for libraries. Users spend $20 a month to have books delivered!
9) Mr. Keyes then pointed out several quotations regarding libraries. One quote was from Jerry Seinfeld who mentioned the last time he read a library book. Another mentioned a 12 year old who was uncomfortable going into the library.
10) How do we refurbish the library brand and win people back to the library:
a) Meet the needs of emerging users.
b) There is a large immigrant population, which is certainly true for Waltham.
c) Increasing presence of African-American middle and upper class. Watch African-American lives on PBS.
d) The Google Nation
e) Demographic Changes
11) What do users want?
a) Interested in community, including community as whole, ethnic, and online
b) Portability -- everyone wants to be connected.
c) Personalization -- e.g. Pimp my Ride, ringtones
d) The PC is on the way out. Portable devices are where it's at. Students don't see the difference between television and the computer. In other words, they need to be able to access the library from anywhere. Mr. Keyes mentioned an ad for a phone that advertised everything except actually talking on the phone.
e) The cell phone is changing. Signs should say, "Please turn on cell phone when in library."
f) Social Networking Search Engines so friends can see searches which is not private, of course, but if it's only your friends, kids like that.
g) Users want something along the lines of Amazon.com
12) Privacy
a) Intelligent users need to know not to always expect privacy in an electronic world. Some users don't expect libraries to preserve their privacy.
13) Beyond browsers: Gaming and virtual worlds are very popular. At Appalachian State, there is a virtual world with librarian avatars (online persona) meeting with patron avatars. That would be an interesting way for us to have patron interactions! Obviously, entire libraries do not need to be built this way, but libraries should employ some of the features.
14) Companies and people that understand all of this:
a) Mac
b) BBC
c) Paul Hagner, from Educause
d) Susan Kent, from New York Public Library
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