Selection Tool Evaluation Selection Tool LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION Author or Responsible Party what organization publishes the selection tool. Linworth Books/ABC-CLIO: PO Box 1911, Santa Barbara, CA 93116-1911 is the organization and publishing company for Library Media Connection along with the listed companies: ABC-CLIO Corporate ABC-CLIO/Greenwood Praeger Libraries Unlimited ABC-CLIO Solutions The listed companies below are also partners with Library Media Connection: Capstone Press books Stone Arch Books Compass Point Books Big6 Thomson Galeâ (www.gale.com), a business of The Thomson Corporation Price, frequency, format(s) format(s) in which selection tool is available, cost of a subscription, frequency of publication/updates. A subscription to LMC comes in a print and online version but did you know that as a reviewer, you will receive a complimentary subscription to LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION. Review items are yours to keep! This is just some food for thought if you have a very slim budget and you really want a subscription, but if you have funds the cost to subscribe to LMC for a 1-years subscription is @49.00 but you can save on your subscriptions a total of $25.00 meaning you pay ($44) and you can save $50 for a 2-year subscription and you pay ($88). If you mention the listed code LS09 for 1-year or the code LSW9 for a 2-year subscription you will save a great deal of money. Content describe the type of review information provided, the types of materials reviewed, the expected audience for the materials reviewed, etc. The content and review information provided by LMC offers reviews for SLMS s or teachers in need of materials, books, and software/resources reviewed for example: audio, print, videos, or
reference materials. The online site provides just as much information as the print resource does, the online site has links and audio materials available in seconds but you can also refer back to you print issues when needed. Listed in the print issue readers will also find a link to more online reviews here is the link needed www.librarymediaconnection.com. With over 1,500 reviews of the newest materials LMC is a 21 st Century learning hub for school librarians to explore and covers technology related issues along with how to appropriate funds to how the latest gadget or reading devices which might help young readers or help the SLMS make a great purchase. Listed are the types of reviews you can find on the website: Reviews are listed and categorized in the listed sections: o PICTURE BOOKS o FICTION K-5 o FICTION 6-8 o FICTION 9-12 o GRAPHIC NOVELS o ANIMALS o BIOGRAPHY o FOLK LITERATURE o GEOGRAPHY o HISTORY o LITERATURE o SCIENCE o SOCIAL STUDIES o SPORTS & GAMES o PROFESSIONAL READING Editor s Choice Awards Spanish & Bilingual Reviews LIBRARY MEDIA CONNECTION Comprehensive Reviews Index this is my favorite tab in the site found on the Review page. The books are listed by the Author, Title, Series, Title, Volume, Issue, and Page Number of where you can find your reviews. Everything is archived neatly, which makes for easy access. Arrangement Describe the physical arrangement of information in the selection tool is it easy to locate information? The LMC website is neatly arranged and easy to navigate from my point of view, after comparing the last two websites. The tabs across the top are very informative and easy to use for quick information, it s not too crowed. The REVIEW options allow you to open and view the reviews you are trying to access. You can open any pervious published reviews they have to
offer simply by opening the files. This is handy and provides the SLMS with great information and reviews needed to help make a meaningful selection. They provide us with numerous ways to view materials and links to social media sites. Users can download PDF files by clicking a link, this is wonderful and useful to anyone in need of useful materials reviewed by professionals. Having a list to help make purchases and to acquire the trending items available is accessible by clicking a few highlighted dated tabs. This site is not as advanced as the previous two site however, the information is easier to access. It s almost something I would consider traditional but progressive at the same time. I seasoned SLMS could access what they need without feeling lost and an advanced SLMS who is up to date on the latest technology could see room for site improvements. I really am not too tech savvy and I like how simple I can navigate through this site. Below is an example of how easy it is to access reviews and articles.
All you have to do is click the blue links and everything you need is there neat and informative. Annotations/Reviews Who writes the annotations and reviews, what are their credentials; length and thoroughness of annotations and reviews. LMC extends an invitation to their readers asking for reviewers like school librarians, other educators who work in school, public, and academic libraries to apply to help each other make better selections. Reviews must be less than 250 words and include both description and evaluation. Reviews with an Additional Selection rating must be less than 150 words. Annotations/Reviews are the various types of reviews provided by the LMC staff. SLMS have everything they will ever need on this site. Below is a screenshot of what to expect.
Bibliographic Info List the types of information provided for an item that is annotated or reviewed, such as title, author, date, publisher, etc. Note this information was taken directly from the website. I. To structure your bibliographic heading, use the following general guidelines: A. Books series name (if applicable) author s name (last, first) title of book editor or compiler (if no author) il ar number of pages (refer to the last page number in the book) price binding (lb., hc., pbk.) publisher ISBN your recommended grade levels B. For Nonbook Media title URL, if online resource year of release or year website was accessed for review format (CD-ROM, DVD, etc.) length of running time for DVDs price distributor s or producer s name your recommended grade levels Special Features Describe any special features about the selection tool. LMC@the ForeFront webinars on edweb is one of the main features I really enjoyed because you have an opportunity to join in on some very informative webinars and gain PLU s at the same time. PLU s are currently need for teachers and SLMS who s certifications expires soon. Special features like the Special Columns section is provided for specific interest to K-12 librarians, when they re looking for answers to tough questions and when they re ready to buy materials. There is also these features Listen Up! What s New in Audiobooks, Connecting Comics to the Curriculum, and as stated on the site this section called Copyright Questions of the Month tackles complex copyright issues in schools, Head for the Edge provides wry commentary on important issues in the profession, and Arrangement! I also like reading the articles they
have listed for example, the January/February 2014 issue of LMC written by: Shanna Miles, titles The Golden Rules of Webcasting, if you missed the issue here is what you will have to look forward to if you subscribe to LMC: Recommendation how this tool would assist you in the selection of materials, and why you would or would not recommend this selection tool to another media specialist. LMC can assist me with selecting materials, because it offers very descriptive details and easy access to the articles and reviews for SLMS. I would recommend subscribing to LMC to assist all SLMS with selecting materials and to stay up-to-date with their collections and access to professional resources in seconds. Both the online and print version to LMC is a good deal. If you become a Reviewer you will receive free copies of the books you review and a free subscription to LMC. The LMC website constantly mentions how they will help you stay within your budget if you use their site and I actually agree with them. So, if you need help staying within your budget LMC will help you stay within his or her budget if reviews and annotations
are read and taken into consideration. This is one site I will definitely add to my Favorites, tab on my laptop.