Provides the following seven guidelines to help librarians better serve mentally disabled students: (1) consult with teachers; (2) select appropriate materials; (3) identify essential library skills; (4) create illustrated signs; (5) be creative about funding; (6) take regular field trips; and (7) don't limit the materials. A list of resources and…

Describes several videos about authors and illustrators of children's literature. The videos include interviews, performances, and discussions of the illustration and writing processes. Technical and collection development issues are considered, and distributors and prices are listed for 66 videos. (MES)

Presents recommendations for developing sound baby collections that include selecting books that: have designs infants are attracted to, provide tactile experiences, incorporate rhymes, have rounded edges (board books), and can be cleaned (cloth books). Includes an alphabetical list of good books for babies, as well as books on planning a lapsit…

Defines graphic novels as meatier and longer comic books and discusses their appeal for teens. Lists online and print sources of reviews; explains how to build a collection; and includes an annotated bibliography of 30 titles suitable for a middle school or high school library's core collection or for a public library's teen collection. (LRW)

This is the first in a series of annotated lists of videos that are being published to help school librarians select materials that emphasize the historical and cultural contributions of ethnic minority groups. It reviews more than 200 videos that document the contributions of African Americans. (LRW)

The fourth article in a series designed to help library selectors enhance their collections of materials on multicultural diversity provides a list of 92 videos about the cultural heritage of Hispanic Americans. Each entry includes ordering information, grade level, and a brief annotation. A list of distributors is also included. (LRW)

Discusses the incorporation of videos into library collections and school curricula and reviews suitable book-based videos adapted from traditional folk or fairy tales, modern short stories, and novels. Topics addressed include interpreting visual images, changes made from the original version, and style and setting. A list of distributors is…

Urges librarians to weed their nonfiction collections, particularly in the areas of science and technology, geography, and political science, and argues that it is better to send students from the library empty handed than to supply them with obsolete books. Guidelines for evaluating and weeding the reference and circulating collections are…

Although the computerized reading management programs, Accelerated Reader and Electronic Bookshelf, increase library circulation and standardized test scores, they have drawbacks. Both programs devalue reading, diminish motivation, limit title choice, restrict materials selection and collection development, discourage independent selection of…