25 interactive and intergenerational storytimes blend literature, learning games, songs and parent handouts to build six essential pre-reading skills

New York, NY (July 28, 2009) – While many parents view storytime at their local library as a vital way for their children to acquire early exposure to English and develop critical literacy skills, a recent survey conducted by the National Assessment of Adult Literacy concluded that 30 million adults in the United States lack basic English literacy skills themselves*. Libraries are uniquely equipped to support both children and adults who seek to develop or improve their literacy skills, and Family Literacy Storytimes: Readymade Storytimes Suitable for the Whole Family, to be released by Neal-Schuman Publishers on September 20, 2009, provides librarians with a complete guide to practical, educational, interactive and fun storytime programs that meet the needs of preschool and adult learners.

Author Kathryn Totten assembles an all-in-one, ready-to-go resource for any librarian who prepares storytimes. Split into two easy-to-follow parts, the book’s twenty-five complete programs are specifically designed to help families foster English language proficiency through high-quality children’s literature. Following a helpful overview of the library’s role in literacy development, Part I offers guidelines and suggestions for meeting the needs of both the adult and the child during family literacy storytime. There is guidance for effectively using space, opening and closing activities and visual aids, along with an outline of the six pre-literacy skills identified by the Public Library Association. Readers will find a list of local, state and national organizations that support family literacy.

Part II offers ideas for planning a storytime with a family literacy focus, along with original songs, traditional nursery rhymes and action rhymes with activities and patterns. Totten’s twenty-five complete storytime plans are organized by theme and include a sample outline for designing a thirty minute program. Each theme is accompanied by an annotated list of recently published picture books and clearly notes where the six pre-reading skills can be demonstrated in each one. A multitude of extended learning activities, games, original songs, parent handouts, craft-patterns and storytelling aids provide engaging and effective literacy building tools that can be used in the library and easily reinforced at home.

The book’s appendix offers additional recipes and resources for literacy-building at home, including art projects, cooking activities and a list of bilingual books and publishers.

Public libraries play a crucial role for families and communities seeking accessible resources for developing English literacy skills. Through educational, inspiring and literacy-rich programming, Family Literacy Storytimes: Readymade Storytimes Suitable for the Whole Family equips librarians with the necessary tools to help both children and adults succeed.

*This figure excludes adults with cognitive, speech or developmental disabilities – http://nces.ed.gov/naal/kf_demographics.asp

Family Literacy Storytimes: Readymade Storytimes Suitable for the Whole Family
ISBN: 978-1-55570-671-5 .
2009. 8.5 x 11. 150pp. $59.95.

About the Author
Kathryn Totten lives in Littleton, Colorado. She is the manager of Thornton Branch and Outreach Services for Rangeview Library District in Thornton, Colorado, and is a former foreign language teacher. She is a member of the ALA Subcommittee on Bookmobiles and the Association of Bookmobiles and Outreach Services. She has presented at state and national conferences on early childhood literacy and storytimes.

About Neal-Schuman Publishers
Neal-Schuman Publishers is a leading publisher of professional books for librarians, archivists and knowledge managers. Founded in 1976, Neal-Schuman Publishers is based in New York City, with offices in London, UK.

For More Information and/or Cover Art
Contact Sarah Eisenberg
sarah.eisenberg@neal-schuman.com
100 William Street, Suite 2004
New York, NY 10038
212-925-8650
www.neal-schuman.com

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New York, NY (July 31, 2009) – Today’s ever-evolving information environment requires a significantly broader skill set and a sound understanding of traditional and emerging reference sources, service practices and strategies. Through integrated coverage of print, electronic and Web-based sources, Reference and Information Services in the 21st Century: An Introduction, Second Edition, to be published by Neal-Schuman on September 10, 2009, provides a comprehensive guide to the fundamental concepts, essential resources, search techniques, and managerial tasks inherent to twenty-first century reference.

New chapters on cutting-edge technology, expanded coverage of marketing reference service, innovations in how to provide chat and IM reference, and a discussion of staff competencies needed now and in the future extend the co-authors’ reputation for a firm grasp on real-world practice. Guided by a national advisory board* of field leaders, Cassell and Hiremath provide failsafe methods for identifying important materials by matching specific types of questions to the best available sources regardless of format.

Part 1, Fundamental Concepts, gives readers a brief history of reference service in libraries, an overview of the breadth of services that fall under the reference umbrella, and outlines best practices for determining user questions across in-person, telephone, and virtual reference interviews. Part II, Introduction to Major Reference Sources, focuses on the how, what, where, who, and when questions as they correlate to authoritative resources. This section’s nine chapters span the gamut of resources, including books, magazines, newspapers, encyclopedias, ready reference, dictionaries, and more. Each chapter begins with an overview of essential resources and how they are applied to different types of questions, and also includes sample questions and answers, related sources, guidance for collection development and maintenance, a Top Ten list of resources, and a list of recommended free Web sites.

Part III, Special Topics in Reference and Information Work, outlines the strengths, weaknesses and complications involved with using the Internet as a reference tool, and provides a practical five-step approach to its best uses in reference transactions. Acclaimed expert Mary K. Chelton contributes two chapters that explore common types of Reader’s Advisory queries, offers advice for handling RA requests, and provides a list of resources for consultation. Chelton also examines the unique opportunities and challenges specific to reference work with children and young adults. Part IV, Developing and Managing Reference Collections and Services, covers material selection and evaluation, staff, service, and department management, and assessment and improvement. There is a comprehensive guide to “Reference 2.0” that provides a snapshot of prominent Web 2.0 tools and technologies. Cassell and Hiremath conclude with a look ahead to the continuing evolution of the reference field.

In addition to a comprehensive appendix that lists the RUSA Outstanding Reference Resources from the last five years, the authors also provide a companion Web site (http://www.neal-schuman.com/reference21st2nd) that includes updates, new annotated bibliographies and important emerging trends. Reference and Information Services in the 21st Century: An Introduction, Second Edition is extraordinarily useful as both an LIS course textbook and a practitioner’s guide to acquiring essential skill sets and putting them to practical use in their own institutions.

Reference and Information Services in the 21st Century: An Introduction, Second Edition
ISBN: 978-1-55570-672-2 .
2009. 6 x 9. 367pp. $69.95.

* Members of the Advisory Board are: Marie L. Radford (Rutgers University), Anita Ondrusek (Valdosta State University), Cheryl Knott Malone (University of Arizona), Stephanie Maatta (University of South Florida).

About the Authors
Kay Ann Cassell is a Lecturer and Director of the MLIS Program in the School of Communication, Information and Library Studies at Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey. She was formerly the Associate Director of Collections and Services for the Branch Libraries of the New York Public Library, and a past president of the Reference and User Services Association of ALA.
Uma Hiremath is Assistant Director at the Ames Free Library, Massachusetts. She was formerly Assistant Director at the Thayer Public Library, Massachusetts, Head of Reference at the West Orange Public Library, New Jersey, and Supervising Librarian at the New York Public Library.

About Neal-Schuman Publishers
Neal-Schuman Publishers is a leading publisher of professional books for librarians, archivists and knowledge managers. Founded in 1976, Neal-Schuman Publishers is based in New York City, with offices in London, UK.

For More Information and/or Cover Art
Contact Sarah Eisenberg
sarah.eisenberg@neal-schuman.com
100 William Street, Suite 2004
New York, NY 10038
212-925-8650
www.neal-schuman.com

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New York, NY (July 23, 2009) – The past decade has seen enormous growth in the availability of and access to information. How can information literacy instructors adapt their practices to empower today’s demanding learners who depend upon new modes of delivery and fast answers? Information Literacy Instruction: Theory and Practice, Second Edition, to be published by Neal-Schuman on September 1, 2009, provides an accessible, in-depth guide to the field’s crucial background and the wide range of instructional aspects, modes and choices available for creating effective Information Literacy Instruction programs.

Information literacy pioneers and field experts Esther S. Grassian and Joan R. Kaplowitz, winners of the 2004 ACRL Instruction Section Publication Award for the first edition of Information Literacy Instruction, have thoroughly expanded and updated their groundbreaking text to cover all facets of 21st century library instruction. Clearly organized into five parts, the book begins with key definitions and a history of library instruction. The next part explores essential learning theories, styles, and practical applications, as well as library anxiety, mental models, conceptual change, critical thinking and active learning.

Grassian and Kaplowitz then focus on planning and development, with discussion of needs assessment, goal-setting, mode selection, design, copyright and assessment. Next, the authors concentrate on delivery, including learner-centered teaching and learner diversity, and offer guidance for tailoring ILI programs to various types of library environments. They also include a chapter with best practices for using technology to successfully support learning, and the authors pay particular attention to emerging issues such as conducting information literacy instruction in online teaching environments including Blackboard, WebCt and Moodle, best practices for using newer Web 2.0 technologies, and making use of online applications like Facebook, Second Life, Youtube, and blogs. Grassian and Kaplowitz conclude with an insightful look into the future of information literacy instruction.

To further solidify concepts, each chapter includes recommended readings, exercises, practical diagrams and illustrations. The book’s companion CD-ROM includes sample mission statements, a table that lists the pros and cons of assessment tools, a brief overview of learning styles table, links to searchable, interactive Web pages, and practice handouts.

Accessibly written and comprehensive in scope, Information Literacy Instruction: Theory and Practice, Second Edition is both an essential resource for practicing librarians seeking to deepen their knowledge, and a superlative teaching tool for LIS courses.

Information Literacy Instruction: Theory and Practice, Second Edition
ISBN: 978-1-55570-666-1.
2009. 8.5 x 11. 300pp. $75.00.

About the Authors
Esther S. Grassian received an MLS from UCLA, and has served in a variety of reference and instruction positions in the UCLA College Library and as a member of the first Association of College Research Libraries’ (ACRLACRL) Institute for Information Literacy Advisory Board. Her publications include the first edition of Information Literacy Instruction: Theory and Practice (Neal-Schuman, 2001), Learning to Lead and Manage Information Literacy Instruction (Neal-Schuman, 2005), and the “Information Literacy Instruction” article for the forthcoming Encyclopedia of Library and Information Science, all co-authored with Joan R. Kaplowitz. In 1995, she was named Librarian of the Year by the Librarians Association of the University of California, Los Angeles.
Joan R. Kaplowitz has a Doctorate in Psychology as well as a Master’s in Library Science. She retired in 2007 after many years as a UCLA librarian and Head of the Research, Instruction and Collection Services division at the UCLA Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library. Dr. Kaplowitz is the co-author (with Ms. Grassian) of the first edition of Information Literacy Instruction: Theory and Practice (Neal-Schuman, 2001) and Learning to Lead and Manage Information Literacy Instruction (Neal-Schuman, 2005). She was awarded UCLA Emerita status in 2008.

About Neal-Schuman Publishers
Neal-Schuman Publishers is a leading publisher of professional books for librarians, archivists and knowledge managers. Founded in 1976, Neal-Schuman Publishers is based in New York City, with offices in London, UK.

For More Information and/or Cover Art
Contact Sarah Eisenberg
sarah.eisenberg@neal-schuman.com
100 William Street, Suite 2004
New York, NY 10038
212-925-8650
www.neal-schuman.com

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New York, NY (July 17, 2009)—Information technology changes at an increasingly rapid pace, and all library staff members need to understand how to integrate a wide range of technologies to meet users’ expectations. The Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion: A Basic Guide for Library Staff, Third Edition to be published by Neal-Schuman on August 30, 2009, provides a solid grounding in the broad scope of systems, software, and specialized devices available. Through practical, comprehensive and up-to-date direction, author John J. Burke offers an easy-to-understand guide to choosing, implementing, maintaining, and maximizing technology in libraries.

Known for his ability to simplify complex concepts, Burke’s newly updated third edition is organized into five parts and nineteen chapters that span the full range of technology tools and trends. Part I, Library Technology Basics, begins with actual survey results that highlight the technologies regularly used by working library staff. Readers will find a helpful historical overview of technology’s role in libraries followed by advice for finding information on the field’s latest developments and a step-by-step guide for evaluating and purchasing equipment and implementing systems. Part II, Technology Tools for Libraries, first explores the computer’s many forms, facets and functions, including desktops, laptops, tablets, hand-held devices, and applications, and then explains networking tools like the internet, modems, e-mail, and Wi-Fi. There is a discussion of electronic library catalog options, different storage devices, and the various techniques used to record, retrieve, and access information. Burke next explains databases and electronic resources, including full-text periodicals, e-books, and e-reference collections, as well as the technical and societal changes brought on by popular search sites like Google and Amazon. He then focuses on integrating Web 2.0 tools like Skype, social networking, and Second Life into user communication efforts. Part III, How Libraries Put Technology to Work, examines best practices for selecting technologies that meet and serve user needs, using blogs and virtual reference tools to create an internet presence, and using screencasts, distance learning, and course management systems to aid staff development and training. Part IV, Building and Maintaining the Technology Environment in Libraries, outlines security measures to protect users from spam and spyware and includes troubleshooting tips and solutions for a multitude of common problems. Burke also offers guidance for building a comfortable, accessible, technology-friendly library environment. Part V, Where Library Technology is Going and How to Get There, offers guidance for writing a technology plan, and concludes with insight into the future of library technology development.

Burke includes an extensive glossary of key terms, as well as detailed figures and screenshots to help reinforce concepts and aid with practical application. Readers will have access to Burke’s companion blog (http://techcompanion.blogspot.com) that provides a regularly updated guide to related materials and resources.

An all-in-one resource that should be required reading for all staff members as well as students in library technology courses and CE classes, The Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion: A Basic Guide for Library Staff, Third Edition provides a sound and sensible way to consider, access, and use library technologies to their fullest advantages.

The Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion: A Basic Guide for Library Staff, Third Edition
ISBN: 978-1-55570-676-2.
2009. 6 x 9. 300 pp. $65.00

About the Author
John J. Burke is the director of the Gardner-Harvey Library on the Middletown regional campus of Miami University (Ohio). He is the author of two earlier editions of The Neal-Schuman Library Technology Companion, along with IntroNet: A Beginner’s Guide to Searching the Internet, and Learning the Internet: A Workbook for Beginners.

About Neal-Schuman
Founded in 1976, Neal-Schuman Publishers is based in New York City with offices in London, UK. Neal-Schuman is a leading publisher of professional books and textbooks for librarians, archivists and knowledge managers.

For More Information and/or Cover Art
Contact Sarah Eisenberg
sarah.eisenberg@neal-schuman.com
100 William Street, Suite 2004
New York, NY 10038
212-925-8650
www.neal-schuman.com

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New York, NY (July 17, 2009) – Rapidly expanding to-do-lists and an increasingly frantic work pace often prevent today’s public library directors and managers from finding enough time to stay abreast of their field’s most pressing topics.

The PLA Reader for Library Directors and Managers, to be co-published by Neal-Schuman and The Public Library Association on August 1, 2009, is the first in a new series designed specifically for busy library professionals in search of practical solutions for their complex responsibilities. Along with an expert team of experienced PLA committee members and leaders, editor Kathleen Hughes, PLA Manager of Publications and editor of Public Libraries Magazine, assembles a wide-reaching collection of key articles that span the gamut of the library world’s most prevalent issues.

Organized into six parts, each of the book’s brief, information-packed chapters are culled from authoritative sources and written by heralded library leaders. Following an introduction from PLA president Carol Sheffer, Part I, The Public Library Landscape, begins with PLA Executive Director Greta Southard’s clear-sighted account of public library standards and essential planning models. There is a thorough explanation of the data compiled in the 2007 Public Library Data Service that focuses on finances, library resources, annual use figures, and technology, followed by an examination of the numerous threats facing public libraries and the key strategies to overcoming each one. The PLA Reader for Library Directors and Managers next outlines the step-by-step process for establishing a library foundation, with crucial tips for planning, outreach, and fundraising. Part II, An Advocacy Mini-Toolkit, covers the basics of library advocacy, legislative funding, and partnering with educational outlets. Part III, Ideas and Tips for Better Directorship, focuses on mentoring staff, building a committed library culture, and retaining and motivating high-performance employees. An insightful interview with leadership expert Jim Collins is followed with guidance for branch management, hiring consultants, and best practices for performance measurement using the “Balanced Scorecard” approach. Part IV, Ideas and Tips for Maintaining Open Access for All, covers intellectual freedom training, belief, and practice, along with advice for ethically and legally sound policy construction. Part V, Ideas and Tips for Reference Services, explores the idea of the reference librarian as a facilitator and offers a concise, authoritative overview of virtual references services. The ethical and legal implications of providing healthcare information are examined, along with a candid account that details the state of the contemporary reference desk. Part VI, A Technology Mini-Primer for Public Librarians, outlines the ways in which traditional reference techniques are applied in virtual reference service, reviews the idea of using Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and census data for planning public library services. There are also quick, easy-to-read expert accounts of prevalent library technologies, including eContent, wikis, blogs, and RFID.

Throughout the book, helpful figures, tables, and sidebars provide easy-to-spot answers, tips, and examples of key concepts, along with a full list of references for further reading.

Through practical guidance and applicable solutions, The PLA Reader for Public Library Directors and Managers offers public library managers and directors a time-saving resource to more effectively and successfully lead their libraries.

The PLA Reader for Library Directors and Managers
ISBN: 978-1-55570-684-5.
2009. 6 x 9. 300 pp. $65.00.

About the Editor
Kathleen M. Hughes is Manager, Publications, Public Library Association, a division of the American Library Association. She also is editor of Public Libraries, the journal of the Public Library Association.
About Neal-Schuman and The Public Library Association
Founded in 1976, Neal-Schuman Publishers is based in New York City with offices in London, UK. Neal-Schuman is a leading publisher of professional books and textbooks for librarians, archivists and knowledge managers.
With more than 11,000 members, the Public Library Association (PLA) is one of the fastest-growing divisions of the American Library Association—the oldest and largest library association in the world. Founded in 1944, PLA is a member-driven organization that provides advocacy, communication, programming, and publication support for its members and others interested in the advancement of public library service.

For More Information and/or Cover Art
Contact Sarah Eisenberg
sarah.eisenberg@neal-schuman.com
100 William Street, Suite 2004
New York, NY 10038
212-925-8650
www.neal-schuman.com

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