Forty Minutes for 40

 

If anyone would be interested in a chat about librarianship or blogging, leave a message in the comments and I'll randomly pick someone.

Probably Zoom is best for me, but if that's best for you, we can figure out an alternative.

On Weeding YA

Karen from Teen Librarian Toolbox had a very interesting tweet the other day 

(now a few weeks back)

and it made me stop and think because at work, Mary and I are weeding in the YA room. Mostly because we don't have enough space, but also because we haven't done it in a while.

There are authors I won't give up, those that are the core collection.

Just a few examples of these:
Coe Booth
Meg Cabot
Sarah Dessen
Ellen Hopkins
David Levithan
Walter Dean Myers

There are books that I believe to be classic and won't let go of.
If they have terrible covers, but I'm happy to reorder them with updated covers because they do belong on the shelf. 

Just a few examples of these:

Sometimes these books are early trendsetters because of the subject matter or format

 

In other cases there are series books where I'll leave the first on the shelf and have others in the basement. It's not ideal, but as we run out of space (and we often do), it does help readers know that we have some of the series.

Just a few examples of these:

 There are older books I purchased that we didn't have in the collection because I think they add value and entertainment. 
Just a few examples of these:

 

So while we have a smallish teen collection, I think it's pretty good. And I do my best every day to make sure there are windows and doors and most important mirrors for all the teens in the community.

Sure that means buying books that I can't wait to read, because that's the fun part of the job. But at the end of the day, I know that books are not about me. They don't reflect my needs. They reflect the teens of the community. 

Which means those needs change every 3-5 years. And we have to keep up with the times. What's all the age through the middle school today might never go out in the next couple of years. And that's ok. We know that (maybe not going into the job because it's another thing they don't teach in library school, but it's something you learn - quickly.)

Blogging Goals 2018

I make a lot of resolutions - hopes and dreams and goals for the new year.

They don't always work out, but I do try.

This year, I've been thinking about my blog. It's turning 10 this year and I can't imagine I've been blogging for that long. At the same time, I can't remember a time not blogging. 

I want to branch out a tiny bit more - still doing similar things but maybe more of those posts. 

Of course still book review - I'm a librarian after all

But I do want to talk more about my work in the library world

I want to talk more about my writing

And finally I want to talk more about crafting and highlight some crafts in my Etsy store.

I hope you continue this journey with me and thanks for reading my blog, it really does mean a lot to me!!