July 2008
Search Tip of the Month
This Month's Features
Spreading the News
As city, local and state governments continue to tighten their belts and cut back, on support services, libraries are looking at creative ways to cut costs without disrupting services. That is quite a feat, but one that librarians have a long history of successfully doing. One city library is looking at quadrant managers, rather than individual branch managers and hopes that will make more funds available for library staffing during open hours. It probably means more part-time staff who will “float” between buildings. These librarians are likely to be less familiar with the individual branch collections, and also less familiar with the people who visit. We also hear that many libraries across the country are doing without children’s and young adult librarian coverage during some of their open hours. Many are turning to The Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD) to provide support. Public access to CLCD is becoming more common. It is a way for you to help your patrons find the best books to meet their needs. A children’s or young adult specialist using CLCD and conferring with a library user is the ideal. However, we all know the reality. With CLCD connected to your OPAC, you can rest more comfortably that the best of your collection, and books on those difficult-to-find topics are more easily available to the public.
Quote of the Month
"The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database is one of the services we offer to our patrons both for use in the library and at home."
Brenda Hager, Children's Supervisor, Charlotte Hall Library, St Mary's County, MD
We have recently updated the testimonials from our subscribers. Check out what folks are saying about the CLCD and how professionals like you are using it. A printer friendly version is available at the end of the testimonials.
 |
 |
 |
We have updated our Fourth of July feature. Be sure to take a look at the newest titles about our American struggle for independence. If you are planning a day of fun or need to explain the significance of the occasion, you will find The Fourth of July: An Independence Day Feast of Fun, Facts, and Activities by Carol Amato with activities by Ann D. Koffsky and illustrated by Nancy Lane to be helpful and interesting.
Gardens are hot topics these days, and we have taken the time to update this feature where you will find titles for all ages. Start little ones off with the lap book version of Flower Garden by Eve Bunting and illustrated by Kathryn Hewitt.
Continuing with the summer reading theme of "Catch the Reading Bug," we have put together Bug/Insects/Spider tales as one of our features this month. Along with recommending Nic Bishop Spiders by Nic Bishop, introduce your young readers to Anansi the trickster with Anansi and the Box of Stories by Stephen Krensky and illustrations by Jeni Reeves. Check out our other suggestions in this feature, and remember that with your CLCD subscription you can find just the right reading level and book topic to satisfy your summer readers.
Author Features
"It's wishful thinking to believe that steroid use won't become more and more common," states author Carl Deuker, which is why he tackles the issue of steroid use by teen athletes in his novel Gym Candy. In this interview he answers questions such as what he learned while writing this book and what he hopes teens and their parents will learn.
Tim Eldred talks about the inspiration for Grease Monkey, and his career drawing storyboards for TV animation. Your students may be interested in finding out which shows he works on.
Twenty years after writing the acclaimed Vietnam war novel, Fallen Angels, Walter Dean Myers returns to the theme of war in Sunrise Over Fallujah, a novel of the Iraq War. He responds thoughtfully to questions about why he wrote these books, how the research has differed, and what he hopes readers will gain from reading his novels.
 |
 |
 |
CLCD Newsletter Editor, Sharon Salluzzo serves as a library and education consultant to CLCD. In addition, Sharon is a book reviewer, a storyteller, and a member of The Children's Book Guild of Washington, DC. She currently serves on the ALSC Quicklist committee. Sharon earned her MLS at SUNY Geneseo.
About the Children's Literature Comprehensive Database
Our monthly newsletter is now available to everyone within an organization, not just the primary contact. A new feature at www.childrenslit.com will provide you with a form allowing you to sign up for just the electronic newsletter. The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database, updated mid-month, is your most complete source of information about children's books. Indeed, it is the next best thing to having the book in hand, and the best tool for leading you to the best books. All at a most affordable price. To subscribe to the CLCD or contact us, go to www.childrenslit.com.