Volume 5, Issue 2
February 2006
Search Tip of the Month
This Month's Features
Spreading the News
Hooray for February! We can celebrate all month long. First there is Groundhog's Day when the old furry forecaster will define the length of our winter. We will move on to the gathering of athletes at the Olympics, and the mid-month celebration of love and friendship on February 14. Let us not forget the birthdays of two of our greatest presidents: Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. Why, some people even take a full week off in their honor. The entire month is a celebration of Black history and culture. Before you know it, this short winter month will be over, the sunshine stronger and longer, and spring will be just around the corner. The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database (CLCD) is here to help you showcase the best of children's and young adult literature on all these topics for your students and library patrons. You will find the links below to this month's themed reviews. And don't forget there is much more waiting for you in the CLCD. Now that is truly something to celebrate!
ON THE ROAD: CLCD will be at the Public Library Association National Conference in Boston, March 22-24. Come and visit us at Booth 132.
In our recent survey, we learned that many of our new subscribers were not aware of all of the search tips that have previously been posted. In an effort to remedy that, we are passing along some of our favorites and adding new ones when appropriate.
Awards and Prizes
CLCD has passed another milestone. There are more than 600,000 value added entries in the 1.2 million cataloging records that constitute the database. These entries indicate if a book has won an award or prize; appeared on a "best books list;" has been selected for a state or provincial reading list; assigned a reading measurement value; received a Horn Book Guide Rating; or has a link to an author or illustrator web page. What sets us apart is that all of this information is full text searchable and most of it can be obtained by clicking a hot link. Want to know who won an award in a given year or what books may be on a reading list this year? First find out how the award is listed in the database, then enter the text (cut and paste) in the search box. Then broaden or narrow your search by looking for specific years. For example, if you enter Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2000 and click exact phrase, it will give you the list of books that meet that criteria which you can then sort by title, author, date, etc. Once you have the list you can use the print feature provided by your software or our Custom Reports feature.
Printing Search Results
When using Internet Explorer, you will find that the frames print out separately. For each page of results printed, you get one sheet of paper with the navigation buttons, and one with the results that you have selected. To avoid wasting paper and to get the print out that you want, go to print preview instead of print. There you will see a pull down window which offers three options:
as laid out
only selected frames
all frames individually
You can see what each one will do as you select them. I recommend that you select as laid out if you want the navigation information to appear or only selected frames (to make the latter work so that you don't get the navigation information you need to click in the text portion that you want to print before going to print preview, then choose only selected frames).
With so many aspects to explore during Black History Month, we have updated almost all of our features, including that of Famous African Americans. We have added new features on the Civil Rights Movement, on Contemporary African American fiction and African Americans in the Military.
The Coretta Scott King Awards have been updated. As I write this we have just heard of the death of Mrs. King. Our deepest condolences go out to her family and friends. The award, named in her honor, has brought the works of many wonderful writers and illustrators to the forefront and continues to encourage countless others to share their dreams and vision with children and young adults through their creativity.
Speaking of awards, we have just added new features on the Caldecott and Newbery awards.
Click on President's Day for a special section on Theodore Roosevelt. There, too, you will find a feature on Frank Keating, the author of Theodore, and the former governor of Oklahoma.
We would love it if you used the titles in our Valentine's Day update to create your displays.
Do not let Groundhog Day be overshadowed. You will find a variety of titles in our updated themed reviews.
CLCD Newsletter Editor, Sharon Salluzzo serves as a library and education consultant to CLCD. In addition, Sharon is a book reviewer, a storyteller, an editorial board member of Capitol Choices and a member of The Children's Book Guild of Washington, DC. She earned her MLS at SUNY Geneseo.
About the Children’s Literature Comprehensive Database
Our monthly newsletter is now available to everyone within an organization, not just the primary contact. A new feature at www.childrenslit.com will provide you with a form allowing you to sign up for just the electronic newsletter. The Children's Literature Comprehensive Database, updated mid-month, is your most complete source of information about children's books. Indeed, it is the next best thing to having the book in hand, and the best tool for leading you to the best books. All at a most affordable price. To subscribe to the CLCD or contact us, go to www.childrenslit.com.