School Library Journal and College and Research Libraries

School Library Journal is intended for school media specialists and teachers. It might also be relevant for children’s librarians since they so often go to daycares and preschools for story times.  It offers tips on how to buy books and use them effectively in classrooms. It also gives reviews of the books for teachers to evaluate whether or not they actually need to be in the system. They also offer events for teachers. Besides books it also focuses on multimedia in the classroom.

It is not peer reviewed. However, we do get several different ideas and opinions on books for kids. Especially with books, it is important because we all have different tastes and preferences for books. Also, what works in one school or classroom may not work in another, so it’s important to have multiple ideas.

I think it is great that school libraries have their own journal. The school library is sometimes the first brush with a library a child has, so it’s important that they stay as relevant as public libraries. Also, school librarians almost have it harder than public librarians, because they are seen as teachers in a way.

I also chose College & Research Libraries, this is a peer reviewed journal. This is a compilation of several different academic articles on the library profession in an academic setting. It is geared more towards professors and graduate students than public librarians. I do not know if it is something I would ever just pick up and read, but I am glad it exists, because I know how important academic research is.

After looking at both of these journals, you realize how a library can impact you from birth to older age. It shows how we don’t’ serve just one segment of society, but are ready to serve anyone and everyone who comes into a library.  I feel like School Library Journal focuses on librarians out on the front lines practicing librarianship, while the College and Research Libraries focuses on the keepers of the profession that focus mainly on the theory of our profession.

College & Research Libraries. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://crl.acrl.org/

School Library Journal | The world's largest reviewer of books, multimedia, and technology for children and teens. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.slj.com/#_