Content: Reading Advisory, Digital Literacy

Type: Book

Length: 3 Hours

Level: Library Professionals

Organisers: Facet Publishing

Presenters: Carolynn Rankin and Avril Brock

Format: Ebook

Reflection

Objectives: This book, authored by the above ‘presenters’, talks about the challenges facing both the children and young people the book is about, and the library professionals the book is written for. The book is divided into four parts, starting with a general overview of children’s library services, moving on to facilitating engagement, then a part about the physical structure of the library and the areas for children and young people, and finally the book has a couple of chapters on professional practice issues, such as child and youth advocacy and censorship concerning them.

Reasons for attending: I read this book because I wanted to go at my own pace with some PD, I wasn’t in a position to be able to listen to any podcasts or watch any presentations, so I researched a good book and decided to read and absorb it all, especially because it relates to problems I find in my own workplace, where trying to engage students is made more difficult by their ever-present devices.

Relation to studies and learning outcomes: This book has familiar concepts; that of digital issues and literacy, engaging patrons, reading advisory, and even policy discussions, but the depth to which the book goes to to explore these concepts with relation to children and young people’s library services shows them all in a practical light. Being able to draw upon evidence, and going into much more detail than a presentation or webinar would, the book provides examples and ideas, all based on evidence, for trying to provide these services.

Future Uses: The ideas about the digital identity of the library is what stuck out for me the most; at the moment students aren’t allowed to use their phones at school, and a shocking number of them don’t even check their emails. This book could lead to a creative and effective way to promote the library and our resources through a website. The points about graphic novels, manga, and comics were also valuable, and the ‘Sources of Support’ (Rankin & Brock, 2012, pp. 124-125) will be invaluable in the future.

Evidence: Screenshot of book being read

Screenshot of book

Reference

Rankin, C., & Brock, A. (2012). Library services for children and young people. Facet.