01.+Professional+Journals


 * //LMC: Library Media Connection//**. Santa Barbara, CA: Linworth Publishing, Inc. 1982-2012.

This bi-monthly journal was recommended by Leslie Preddy, Robyn Young, and Carl Harvey. According to the journal’s website ([|www.librarymediaconnection.com]), LMC includes reviews of software, videos, and other resources, picks of top books, and columns about key topics. I think the reviews will be especially helpful because, though I love experimenting with new resources, I won’t always have the time when I’m in the thick of being a school media specialist. I also liked the columns that it offers—they are focused on currently trending topics and included in each issue. I didn’t find any negative reviews of the journal, but I feel a negative aspect of journals in general is finding the time to read all of the content. Also, the subscription fee is $69 and I don’t know how that will impact my future budget.


 * //Teacher Librarian//**. Bowie, MD: E L Kurdyla Publishing, LLC. 2012.

Teacher Librarian, commonly known as TL, is a bi-monthly independent journal. According to the journal’s website ([|www.teacherlibrarian.com]), it includes reviews of professional materials, management strategies, information on new technology, and children and young adult book and movie lists. This journal was also recommended by Leslie Preddy, Robyn Young, and Carl Harvey. I think it is helpful now, especially in regard to the management resources, since that is something I feel I still need to learn more about. I really liked their website and made use of the archived articles. Again, there were no negative reviews of the journal and it was hard to discover any weaknesses other than I’m afraid I won’t find the time to read through it each issue or I may not be able to afford the subscription at $56. ls


 * //Knowledge Quest//**. Chicago, IL: American Library Association. 1972-2012.

AASL’s official journal, published bi-monthly September through June, is a great deal because it’s included in your AASL membership (and $50 to non-members). According to their website ([] ), it is “ devoted to offering substantive information to assist building-level school librarians, supervisors, library educators, and other decision makers concerned with the development of school library programs and services.” Content seems to focus on the practice as a whole and new developments in the field. I would imagine, because this is headed up by AASL, that they truly get expert contributors, not just their own editorial staff. I like the idea that I will be exposed to my peers and my role models through this publication. The weakness I found for this magazine is it doesn’t seem to include technology reviews, which I think is an important subject to keep up with through professional resources.


 * //School Library Journal//**. New York, NY: Library Journals, LLC. 1954-2012.

I heard about School Library Journal through Carl Harvey, Leslie Preddy, and Robyn Young. What I like about this journal is that not only is it a leader in reviewing children’s resources, which would help me to make purchasing decisions, but the Journal states that its mission is to “move libraries to the center of their respective learning communities,” which is what we have discussed in class as being a priority. I think the Journal comes out monthly, but I couldn’t find true confirmation other than a subscription is 12 issues. The weakness of this journal, moreso than the other journals, is the expense: $137 for a subscription. Many of their resources are available on their website, [].


 * //School Library Monthly//**. Lincoln, NE: Libraries Unlimited. 2012.

I really got to know School Library Monthly through one of my text books, //21st-Century Learning in School Libraries,// in which Kristin Fontichiaro compiles articles from the magazine. The articles in the text (and I’ve since discovered on their website, [|www.schoollibrarymonthly.com]), really span each and every topic we discussed about managing a modern school library. The magazine is monthly and a subscription costs $55. A weakness of the magazine is that the majority of the advisory board seems to be library science professors at the university level with only a few still practicing in a K-12 school (Carl Harvey is one of the exceptions).