One of the best things about ASCLA is we have so many members who are truly passionate about the patrons they serve and who have deep content knowledge in their field of expertise. As a result of this powerful combination of passion and knowledge, they often find themselves teaching and transmitting best practices, whether as consultants, in state libraries or consortia, or in service to people with disabilities. How can we share, though, when we’re scattered all over the country and only get to see each other (if we’re lucky) twice a year.
I recently learned from our local self-publishing company, Author Solutions, that one of their authors had published three books about people with disabilities. Her books were so well received that they have been picked up and given a much broader audience by a traditional publisher. That got me to thinking: How do librarians – like the ones in my busy public library – find good books for their patrons that offer positive views of people with disabilities?
I realized that ASCLA members could use their passion, knowledge and wide networks to help! I suggested the idea to the ASCLA Publications Committee this spring, and at the Annual Conference, they agreed to make reviews a regular part of Interface. With one or two in each issue, pretty soon we’ll have a pretty good little list.
We need writers! If there is a book that you regularly recommend to someone, would you take a little time to write a review? It doesn’t have to be new or widely known, just really good. We readers would like to know:
• What is the book about generally – the plot, the situation, a description?
• For what audience you’d recommend it – children, teens, adults, parents, teachers, librarians?
• What qualities of the book made you recommend it – plot, characters, writing, setting?
Sign your review and email it to the Interface Editor Anne Abate, anne@librarydiscountnetwork.com, then stand by to see your name in lights in an upcoming Interface. If you’re willing to review but don’t have a title in mind, contact Anne and she’ll probably have some recommendations. I am starting us off in this issue, with a review of a new book published by ALA Editions: Remarkable Books about Young People with Special Needs; Stories to Foster Understanding, by Allison M. G. Follos. Maybe it will remind you of one you’ve read and would like to share. Maybe you’ll read someone else’s review and decide to buy the book for your collection, read it yourself, suggest it to your book club, or share it with a reader.
Sara Laughlin
President