Final Assignment: Book Evaluation 1

Final Pioject
ILS S19
}essica Biancifoite
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Final Assignment: Book Evaluation 2
"At no time aie collection uevelopeis finisheu with theii collections.
Community uemanus change on a uaily, if not houily basis. The piocess of
maintaining the collection is the singe most impoitant activity of a collection
uevelopei" (Bishei, 2uu7, p.11S). Forty-seven books in the 745.5 non-fiction section of
the Essex Library childrens department were reviewed for the purpose of this
assignment. The subject of handicrafts was reviewed based on the relevance of the topic
to the Essex Library community. There are multiple art schools in the area as well as
educators, parents and home schooling advocates in constant need of such resources.
Often, only a few of the forty or so titles had by the library circulate, even with such
interest among patrons. "The aits aie peihaps the subject aiea useu most in the call
numbei iange of 7uu-799. These woiks uo tenu to weai out, anu new infoimation is
auueu peiiouically" (Bishei, 2uu7, p.1SS). Based on content learned from our
coursework along side the support of additional professional resources, I chose to keep
thirty-four of the original titles and to discard eight. Five new titles were reviewed and
suggested as modern collection additions. The Essex Library does not have a collection
development policy available to help with the weeding process, but the policy committee
hopes to create one within the year. Tools used to evaluate each of the included titles
include: circulation statistics, checkout dates, physical condition, available professional
reviews, book characteristics and the number of total available copies available in the CT
LION Library Consortium. Details documented about the books in each of the above
categories can be found in the Book Evaluation Chart created for this assignment.
The Essex Library Association is a private library funded only partially by the
town. Cataloging notes show that the majority of informational texts in the childrens
Final Assignment: Book Evaluation S
department are library donations. It can be assumed that such a large number of donations
are included in the collection to fill shelf space and provide as much information to
patrons as possible. A handful of titles go without professional review, and circulation
statistics show that certain books were not and are still not relevant to the community. In
a digital world filled with social media sites boasting Pinterest, Instagram and Etsy
project ideas, it seems necessary to have a top-notch selection of titles on hand for those
who wish to find inspiration in person. The eight titles chosen for withdrawal did not
meet collection standards regarding: physical condition, use and circulation, age, and
professional review. Justification for the discard of individual titles can be found in the
Book Evaluation Chart created for this assignment.
A large number of reviewed titles retained qualities worth keeping in collection
for our library patrons. Themes indicate particular authors that were popular from the
1990s to present day. Kathy Ross, Celia McInnes, Bobbie Kalman, and Kim Solga are
all well reviewed authors in the realm of handicraft books for juvenile readers. These
authors are found in abundance in our current collection. A growing theme includes eco-
friendly and nature based craft project anthologies. The best of these titles were retained
for our growing nature-based education resource collection. The best thirty-four titles
were considered keepers because they help to build the core collection and/or support
our best titles. Each of these selections is listed in the Book Evaluation Chart along side
professional reviews and selection justification.
Five new titles were considered for purchase with specific qualifications in mind
and were ordered from other libraries to be evaluated in person. One or two were paged
through at a local bookstore to get a sense of what each book had to offer. The Artful
Final Assignment: Book Evaluation 4
Parent: Simple Ways to Fill Your Familys Life with Art and Creativity by Jean Vant
Hul is a needed addition to our small collection. With four other copies available system
wide, I was able to order in a copy to scan for myself. Library Journal reviewed this title
well when they wrote Parents, teachers, and child care providers will all find useful
ideas and inspiration here. A title published by Roost Books just last year, this
paperback includes a table of contents, color photography, index and additional resources
and templates for the inspired crafter. As our community becomes more and more
interested in nature-based education, we have seen an increased interest in craft projects
using natural supplies. On a quest to find books specific to this theme, I found a positive
review by School Library Journal for a series entitled, Super Simple Nature Crafts. Some
of the titles in this series were better reviewed than others and I honed in on a topic that
we study during our programs each autumn. School Library Journal reviews the text
devoted to leaves as beautifully designed and one of the best in the series with readily
available materials and simple instructions. A few libraries have this new title in
processing or on order, and it will make for a great addition to our collection as well.
Made to Play! Handmade Toys and Crafts for Growing Imaginations by Joel Henriques
was chosen based on specific projects found within the text. This title is only three years
old and has a beautiful and modern layout with vibrant colors and step-by-step
instructions. Included is an admirable template set, colorful photography, table of
contents and index. San Francisco Book Review notes, Henriques has incorporated the
experiences of his childrens imaginations at play into the amazing projects throughout
this book. Although they may look simplistic to todays high-tech kids, these projects
will create lasting memories more precious than any video games. I was intrigued enough
Final Assignment: Book Evaluation S
to take a look at the book in person. This book is not available by any of the libraries in
our consortium, however, which then led me to wonder if it was worth including at all.
When the title was searched within the WorldCat database, I found that it was available at
250 libraries worldwide. Once I was able to look through this title at a bookstore, I
immediately saw that it would be worth including in our collection. It has certainly
missed the radar of local librarians, but it provides ideas that are unique and completely
original. Published by Roost Books, Made to Play is part of an admirable publishers
collection of reliable craft books for parents and children. By adding this title to our
stacks, I believe we will make an important resource available to the entire consortium
network. With an increase in interest regarding parent and child craft activities, we have
been on the hunt for titles specific to project based books for our parenting section. Side
by Side: 20 Collaborative Projects for Crafting with Your Kids by Tsisa Carson is
another standout possible addition to our collection. A 2013 release, Random House
published this title and with a positive Baker and Taylor forecast report highlighted in
2012. This is a beautifully written text that walks parents and caregivers through the
whole process showing not only how to do the projects but how to slow down and enjoy
time with kids at our side (Random House). The consortium shows that only one other
library has this title available but with impressive circulation numbers. This choice would
make for a great addition to our childrens or parenting section and would fit the need for
collaborate project book requests that weve had of late. After ordering, I reviewed the
book with the childrens department staff and agreed that while it lacks sufficient
professional review, the book circulates well elsewhere and provides content that we feel
our collection lacks. Not to mention, we didnt want to return it to the library that loaned
Final Assignment: Book Evaluation 6
it! This title focuses on nature-based play and includes a versatility with traditional craft
materials that is not seen in other texts. A timely starred review from Library Journal
presented Project Kid: 100 Crafts to Make With and For your Kids by Amanda Kingloff.
This text is reviewed as having, broad appeal for parents and caregivers looking for
ideas, as well as for librarians to engage the after-school or summer reading crowds with
some low cost craft activities. A solid hardcover book, this April 2014 release by
Artisan Publishers is already on order by multiple local libraries and offers a table of
contents with color photography, a project index, additional art resources and bonus art
lessons. This particular title encourages parents to become immersed in craftwork and
create alongside children. We plan to use the book as a programming resource for our
summer reading students and maker space families who join us often for creative
programming.
In my experience as both a librarian and library user, patrons will likely return if
impressed by a collection. If a specific selection of books is in demand for any reason, it
should most certainly be evaluated and reassessed often. By taking the time to discard
unused titles, display books worth keeping and invest in new additions to the collection, I
feel that the handicraft section of our small non-fiction department has been reviewed,
modified and made relevant to our community. By combining newer texts with
irreplaceable classics, the collection has gone from irrelevant to purposeful, modern and
appealing. Taking the time to review even a small portion of a collection is quite time
consuming. It is clear that there isnt often time for this sort of collection management. It
would be lovely to find time to do inventory work, but realistically, this is not always an
option. Evaluating a collection bit by bit over time, with the help of reliable resources and
Final Assignment: Book Evaluation 7
circulation statistics can help to invigorate a collection and give it new life and
importance.























Final Assignment: Book Evaluation 8
Bibliography
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Unlimited.
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crawly, hairy scary things to do. San Francisco: Chronicle Books.
Final Assignment: Book Evaluation 9
Doudna, K., & Craig, D. (n.d.). Super simple leaf projects: Fun and easy crafts inspired
by nature.
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Henriques, J. (2011). Made to play!: Handmade toys and crafts for growing
imaginations. Boston, MA: Trumpeter Books.
Hul, J. V. (2013). The artful parent: Simple ways to fill your family's life with art and
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Final Assignment: Book Evaluation 1u
King, D. C., & Moore, B. (1998). Colonial days: Discover the past with fun
projects, games, activities, and recipes. New York: J. Wiley & Sons.
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Sky Pony Press.
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Final Assignment: Book Evaluation 11
Ada, OK: Garrett Educational.
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Final Assignment: Book Evaluation 12
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