"Crash Course in Library Services for Seniors" provides a refreshingly positive approach to working with older adults--one that focuses on the positive effects of aging on patrons, and the many opportunities that libraries can create for themselves by offering top-notch services delivered with a concierge mindset. The book offers page after page of great programming ideas specifically for reaching out to Baby Boomers and older customers--a population that is predicted to double over the next 20 years.

Organized in only six chapters, this easy-to-read book provides practical suggestions...

Gaming supplies more than just visual stimulation and empty entertainment; it can also promote socialization as well as the learning of both traditional and new literacies required to succeed in the modern world. Problem-solving, multi-tasking, complex decision-making on the fly, and "reading" the combination of words and graphics are vital skills for the 21st century--all of which are required to play video games.

"Crash Course in Gaming" discusses the pros and cons of gaming, the types of games and game systems, circulating collections, and game programs. It explains how a library's...

Every library experiences difficult patrons. Thorough preparation is the best defense: it's always much better to be proactive than reactive. The authors of "Crash Course in Dealing with Difficult Library Customers" realized that these kinds of situations are more universal than unique, despite the great variations in library environments and customer bases, and pooled their more than 100 years of experience to offer practical advice that will help library staff prepare for the many kinds of "worst case scenarios"--before they arise.

The book identifies the basic types of...

Addressing everything from the basics of reference to the complex and highly specialized duties of program development, this handbook is perfect for both librarians and support staff who are assigned to the children's department of a library. This second addition of "Crash Course in Children's Services" covers many of the new issues facing children's library staff, including eBooks, using apps in programming, other online reading options, book trailers, nonfiction and the Common Core curriculum. It also describes expanded programming options such as makerspaces, gaming, dog reading...

Marketing a library's programs or services takes more than sending out a flyer or posting an announcement on the website. Effective marketing is important for every library, as it can lead to a significant increase in library use--which is a major factor in budget justification. "Crash Course in Marketing for Libraries: Second Edition" will help you develop a strategic direction for your organization and identify methods for employing your best marketing and public relations strategies.

Each chapter of this second edition has been updated and expanded, comprehensively addressing the...

This beginner's guide to storytelling traces the developmental stages of very young children, illustrating how to present storytime for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers as well as in family settings to be most effective. Author Penny Peck will teach you the fundamentals of reading with the intent of capturing children's imaginations, showing you how to incorporate music, play, and hands-on activities into your routine. She offers expert advice on how to choose the best picture books and provides lists of books for addressing particular literacy needs.

A perfect primer for those new to...

The question "can you recommend a good book?" can be one of the most daunting you face, notwithstanding the fact that recommender tools are ubiquitous. Often, uncertainty arises because, although librarians are called on to perform such services daily, readers' advisory is a skill set in which most have no formal training. This guide will remedy that. It is built around understanding books, reading, and readers and will quickly show you how to identify reading preferences and advise patrons effectively. You'll learn about multiple RA approaches, such as genre, appeal features, and reading...

EBooks are a must for today's libraries, making this introduction indispensable for those who have yet to delve into the ever-expanding universe of downloadable material. This "crash course" is an easy-to-use, hands-on approach that will simplify the decision and implementation processes. It introduces you to eBooks and eReading and covers the many issues surrounding eBooks in circulating libraries including technology, acquisition, and training.

You'll learn how to launch a program, what to buy, how to let your public know you've added eBooks to your collection, and how to...

Weeding is often difficult--who can easily decide to discard books and other materials that someone may someday want to borrow? But weeding is essential to keeping your collection healthy and relevant. Perfect for all types of libraries and for both paraprofessionals and librarians unfamiliar with modern weeding methods, this practical guide offers clear guidance that can help you cope with the sometimes-paralytic fear and distaste that can accompany a must-do task.

Each of the book's chapters treats a specific concern--for example, weeding electronic collections. Practical...

For all libraries, money is critical to decision-making about technology, staffing, and collections. As a result, informed budgeting is critically important for any library to succeed. This book explains library finance in a practical, engaging way, using examples of real situations in different types of libraries to teach key points. Written by authors with years of experience in budgeting and financial planning within a variety of library settings and in teaching library management or fundraising at the university level, Crash Course in Library Budgeting and Finance makes it...