From: Angela J Reynolds <areynold_at_mail.library.ns.ca>
Date: Fri, 24 Sep 2010 15:58:02 -0300

Megan's comment "Take a step back when a book gives you pause and think about it in terms of what it has to offer rather than the concern(s) it raises." is well said, and something I have to remember often. I get many requests for books that will never get good reviews - the Barbie easy readers and the Dora the Explorer books (and other TV based paperbacks). But they are popular, and they will likely get some child to actually enjoy books. I always hope for that, anyway, as I grudgingly purchase another copy of the latest pink sparkly thing or humanized vehicle book. It is even harder when I get requests for books that truly are awful-- the illustrations are sub-par, the writing is terrible, but they fit someone's idea of a needed book. When the coffers are full, these books are much easier to purchase than when times are lean. In a small community such as ours, people will often ask WHY? when I say no to a request. I have my own methods of determining if I will purchase or not, and I really do make an effor t to keep my biases out of the equation. My question to you all ... how do you decide?

-- Angela J. Reynolds, Head of Youth Services Annapolis Valley Regional Library P.O. Box 640, 26 Bay Road Bridgetown, NS CANADA B0S 1C0 902-665-2995 Fax: 902-665-4899 areynold_at_nsar.library.ns.ca http://www.valleylibrary.ca

2011 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award Committee
Received on Fri 24 Sep 2010 03:58:02 PM CDT