2. Variety in Reading Promotion

3. It is important for a librarian to practice a variety of reading promotions for there are many other influences like sports, socializing, and other challenges that may pull students in the opposite direction of the libraries front door. One way to promote reading in the library is to place colorful and exciting looking book covers like those of graphic novels where they can be easily seen. A great draw to the library is gaming and these games can be educational in nature as well as just for leisure. Students love to create and they are engaged with technology so if you combine the two by offering students opportunities to create websites, webpages, etc., they will be attracted to the library. Also making authors available for students or classes to speak to them either in person or via social media like Skype is popular among students. Offering areas where students can socialize in person or via text in a comfortable environment with appealing art on the walls. Librarians should also consider have rooms or sections where students can have access to social media sites is a huge draw to the library as most students love using social media or texting. A quiet place with comfortable couches and chairs for students to both read and/or work on computers are considered necessary by certain readers and students. However, with all these various methods (and many more I did not list here) the most fundamental and perhaps the most powerful action a librarian can take to attract students, in my opinion, is to always remember to be friendly and use your knowledge to be as helpful as you can possibly be

4. Approaches to Reader’s Advisory

6. There are several challenges of controversial young adult books whether they are slated to be banned, censored, or challenged. One challenge is that a librarian has to consider all books he/she plans to order especially those books that may be considered controversial in his/her school district. If the librarian plans to go ahead and purchase a controversial or potentially controversial book it is necessary that he/she knows how this book will be of value or contribute to the students as either an entertaining or informing piece of literature. It is also necessary that the librarian collect all positive and respected reviews of the book in question as well as reviews with recommended age levels for reading included in the review. Other issues of controversy are books that may be appropriate for teens may not be appropriate for tweens, therefore a librarian must take into consideration when deciding which books to purchase that if it is on the shelf it must be made available to each and every student within that school regardless of their respective grade. As an English teacher with a small library in my classroom I make sure that read several reviews on a YA book prior to purchasing the item. I make sure that I get at least three reviews that give the recommending reading level. I plan to continue this practice as a librarian for I realize that as a librarian I will not have the time to read every single book I order.

7. Importance of Literary Awards

9. The variety of literary awards for young adult literature been created to recognize the authors who have written or edited a book that is considered of quality. Each of the various awards have differing criteria and types of judges ranging from boards consisting of only adults to boards in which thousands of students cast their vote. However no matter the criteria or type of award they all honor the creators of quality literature or writing. Some of the most important YA literary awards are the Micheal L. Printz, the Best Books for Young Adults, the Pura Bulpre, the Coretta Scott King, and the Robert F. Sibert award. Micheal L. Printz is important because it is the older children’s equivalent of the prestigious Newberry Award for children and the Printz is the only YA with the criteria solely focused on literary quality and excellence. The Best Books for Young Adults is important because it is the award list with the most history and is sponsored by the respectable Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). The Pura Belpre is respected for it is the most recognized award given to a Latino/Latina writer for their work in portraying the Latino experience. The Coretta Scott King is prestigious because it is the most distinguished award given to an African American writer depicting the African American experience. The Robert F. Sibert award is important because it is one of the only major awards focused solely on informational books. Examples of an award winning title for each of the various awards are: 2010 Sibert -Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream; 2006 Printz -Looking for Alaska; 2010 Best Book for Young Adults -Stitches: A Memoir; and the 2010 Pura Belpre -Return to Sender.