Reagle

=Three Journals ~ Reviews by Bill Reagle=

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This journal has quite an array of features. One immediately notices the cover ("A Dirty Little Secret: Self Censorship is Rampant and Lethal") and the many ads throughout that range from "Paw Prints" reinforced books to Spotlight graphic novels. In between the ads, there are other journal features such as the editorial (where as library usage increases, budgets are decreasing which hurts children and teens), and articles on such diverse subjects as a Virginia school that is receiving free access Google Earth Pro; the lastest trends in social bookmarking (where there is a sharing of web finds online), microblogging and gizmos (I found eSlick, an ebook device with 6" screen to be interesting); advice from a copyright specialist (copyrights to play boardgames?); an interview with author Jonah Winter; and many lists and reviews for books, audio and DVD that are available for libraries.=====

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The main feature on self-censorship was intriguing and thought provoking. I was shocked to learn that as many as 70% of librarians are either reluctant or refuse to buy edgy books as they are afraid of parent response. And, while this may be true, 49% of them actually dealt with a book challenge. It concludes with urging all librarians to think and move "outside" the box. That by not censoring we may actually reach a child that might otherwise be uninterested. I agree and would be totally OK with this view as long as all librarians were immune from these book challenges. A well-constructed journal but I felt overwhelmed by all the advertisements.=====

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The first thing that I noticed about this journal is the lack of ads. Beginning on the second page, the reader is treated to bulletin board suggestions (I like the author/illustrator calender), and articles that focus on content-reading and related activities. Some of the suggested things that could be tied with reading are trees and leaves, debates (with printable graphic organizer), I-dolls (with notes and citation template), and sports rule books. Other articles discuss what learning in media center looks like, the role of language in 21st century skills, selecting books (students actually take fieldtrip to bookstore to select books for media center), numbers and Mother Goose, keeping current in websites, Britannica Learning Zone (many educational possibilities here), being involved with curriculum planning, and the role of filters in the library.=====

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I am appreciative of the fact that there are many different articles within this journal, many at a page in length. Each article that described an activity came with a printable as well as being accompanied by matching AASL standards. I found this to be an interesting journal with many good tidbits of information.=====

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With this journal, we are back to many ads coming at the reader (Capstone ads are quite frequent). The journal opens with an editorial on book banning (Susan Patron's //The Higher Power of Lucky//), has a neat section of "tips" from other librarians (a great idea - barcoding remotes to DVD players when they are loaned out), and many articles. These articles range from finding and keeping volunteers (can be parents, grandparents, community members; thanking them is important as well as "school talk" around them), finding new school librarians (breaking stereotypes, building college programs around working adults), to collaboration with teachers (how can librarians impact student achievement), tips on book talks, author Neal Shusterman, copyright questions (a topic of importance, and is also found in School Library Journal), hot stuff (current topics, web links magazines, books), technology help, and book reviews.=====

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I enjoyed this journal the most of the three that I read. It is an easy read with many articles lasting little over one page in length and on a very diverse list of topics. It was possible for me to find something of interest in here (without drowning in advertisements) and I am sure that others would find it true. It was of particular interest that, two years ago, they were discussing the recruitment of new and young Media Center people to fill positions. All in all, a well-constructed and well-written journal.=====

I will have to start reading some of these journals. The School Library Media Activities Monthly sounds like it has a lot of great suggestions. Short interesting articles are the way to go. JD


 * Interesting comment about the ads. I've had other students say that. Personally I always like checking them out to see what is being pushed by the publishers - for example which books they think will be popular or what new series are out there. To me its just more information, if I'm interested, otherwise I ignore. SB

All of these journals sound very helpful and informative. I sometimes get tired of seeing the same ads over and over, but if there is useful information contained in them, it helps. Of the three, I'd be the most interested in School Library Media Activities Monthly because of the activites, printables, and standards. KE

Censorship was a hot topic at OELMA as well. It is a touchy subject for sure. It sounds like you sampled some neat journals...but I had to chuckle when you mentioned being overwhelmed by all the advertisements. Sounds like the journals you read covered most of all the hot topics mentioned at the conference too. Neat! RL

Bill--- I loved the little bulletin board suggestions (I must really like bulletin boards!). I also found the SLMAM to be interesting and I liked that they offered articles and lessons that were aligned with the standards! I'm glad we liked some of the same things. I also liked the idea of barcoding the remotes for when you loan them out. EAS

I am interested in what SLMAM Sept. 2008 has to say about keeping current with websites. I am always amazed at all the great tools and resources that are available online (and FREE!) that I don't even know about. While it's impossible to keep up with everything all the time, does the article present a technique or suggestion for keeping current? KAP

I'm going to have to get my hands on a copy of School Library Media Activities Monthly. I love when journals offer practical suggestions for things that can actually be done! We read so much about building our collection and running our media center. I think reading about activities to engage our students and get teachers to bring their classes in is every bit as important. CNR

Your favorite journal was one of mine too. I also enjoyed reading about recruiting library media specialists. I didn't read the first journal you commented on but I am also surprised that 70 percent of librarians are relunctant to buy edgy books. I'm curious to know why so many librarians feel the need to censor materials. MP