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Booklist

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Booklist
File:Booklist logo.jpg
CategoriesBook reviews, Book industry, Library science
Frequency22 issues per year
PublisherAmerican Library Association
First issueJanuary 1905
CountryUnited States
Based inChicago, Illinois[1]
LanguageEnglish
Websitewww.booklistonline.com
ISSN0006-7385
OCLC1536781

Booklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. Booklist’s primary audience consists of libraries, educators, and booksellers. The magazine is available to subscribers in print and online. Booklist is published 22 times per year, and reviews over 7,500 titles annually. The Booklist brand also offers a blog, various newsletters, and monthly webinars. The Booklist offices are located in the American Library Association headquarters in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood.

History

Booklist began publication in January 1905 to "meet an evident need by issuing a current buying list of recent books with brief notes designed to assist librarians in selection," noted an introduction attributed to the American Library Association Publishing board. "Other features, such as annotated lists on current topics, will probably be added later, and in general, any matter useful to those in charge of smaller libraries will here find an appropriate place."[2][2]

In 1905, the annual subscription fee was only 50 cents. Initially, Booklist was subsidized by a $100,000 grant from the Carnegie Foundation, known for its turn of the century endowments for public and university libraries. At the time of its inception, the journal mainly contained condensed summaries of only 25-50 words. The first editions were published in Boston, but in 1913, the Booklist offices were moved to the American Library Association headquarters, located in the McCormick Mansion in Chicago, Illinois. By the 1930s the reviews were more in-depth and the journal began to include some articles. In October 1939, just a few weeks after the start of World War II, Booklist published a very helpful article "Books for the 'Long and Calm View': On the Crisis, Its Background and Implications to the United States" that addressed "the demand for impartial books without the emotionalism of propaganda."[3] The editor wanted to make sure that in the midst of a world crisis, library patrons had their questions answered and all points of view given.

From the 1950s to the 1960s, Booklist reviews were extended to a limit of 150 words, generally three full sentences. Reviews were hand-written in pencil on yellow legal paper, edited, and given to the office secretary to be typed. At this time, artistic design choices for the magazine were minimal. The only visual change between issues was the solid color of the plain cover.

The 1970s saw a great deal of change in the Booklist offices. A Young Adult Books editor was hired as adolescent literature became more popular. The publication of such books as Judy Blume’s Forever, the Alice series by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor, and The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton marked a need for someone to evaluate books that were not meant strictly for either children or adults.

In 1973, Paul Brawley was hired as Editor and Publisher, and he was the first to print editions of the magazine with recreated book jackets on the cover. Many Booklist subscribers protested the flashy new covers, claiming they liked the plain covers and the space they afforded for listing potential book orders. Brawley’s time as editor also saw the advent of media reviewing. Beginning with 16mm film strips and spoken-word recordings, Booklist began to accept submissions and print reviews of audiovisual products.

The 1980s and 1990s saw Booklist’s first Editors’ Choice reviews as well as its first feature column. The column, entitled “Manley Arts” was penned by Will Manley. He began writing for Booklist after he was fired from a position at the Wilson Library Bulletin for publishing a piece about the sexual habits of librarians. The 1990s issues of Booklist were the first to be composed on in-office computers.

The June 2005 issue of Booklist marked the magazine’s 100th anniversary. To celebrate the centennial, the acting editors published a feature article entitled “The Booklist Century” wherein they chose a book from each year of the preceding hundred to highlight its immense societal impact. At the start of Booklist’s career, The House of Mirth (1905) by Edith Wharton was deemed the most influential title of the year. The hundredth pick, published in year 2004, was The 9/11 Commission Report.

Currently, the magazine can be found online and in print. The Booklist editorial team also creates a variety of supplemental products, such as Book Links, webinars and the Booklist Reader.[3] Booklist offices are located in the 50 E. Huron building at the headquarters of the American Library Association. The Editor and Publisher, Bill Ott, has been working at Booklist for over 30 years. He is the seventh editor to hold the position since Booklist was founded in 1905.

Current Masthead

  • Bill Ott - Editor & Publisher
  • Keir Graff - Executive Editor
  • Donna Seaman - Editor, Adult Books
  • Rebecca Vnuk - Editor, Collection Management and Library Outreach
  • Daniel Kraus - Editor, Books for Youth
  • Joyce Saricks - Editor, Audio[4]

Reviews and Reviewers

Booklist Reviews Booklist reviews are said to be "the haiku of book reviewing." Reviews include a brief synopsis, plus mention of the most successful elements of style. Most reviews fall between 175 and 225 words. [5]

Starred Reviews The Booklist star indicates an outstanding title of a particular genre. All starred reviews are approved by the appropriate editor.

High-Demand Booklist recognizes that libraries wish to purchase new materials as soon as they become available, and therefore works to review titles as early as possible. The “High-Demand Backstory” symbol indicates titles likely to be surrounded by media coverage and patron popularity.

Adult Books with YA Appeal As an additional source for librarians, Booklist reviews certain adult titles and labels them for YA appeal. These materials tend to have young protagonists or themes relevant to teenage readers.

Recommendation-only system Since its founding in 1905, Booklist has followed a recommendation-only system. This means that every title reviewed would make a quality addition to library collections.

Booklist Selection Policy The editors of Booklist magazine adhere to a selection policy consistent with the Library Bill of Rights. The process of choosing titles for reviews aims to promote readership, never censorship.

Booklist Reviewers Titles are reviewed by a corps of librarians, freelancers, journalists, and educators, as well as Booklist editors and staff.

Other Products

Website Booklist Online is the website and archive of the Booklist print magazine.Within the database, subscribers have access to digital editions of the print magazine, an archive of over 170,000 reviews, and a host of feature content. Non-subscribers can read a Review of the Day and sign up for free monthly webinars. Booklist Online was developed in 2005, concurrent with the magazine’s centennial, and launched in early 2006.

Blog Launched in September 2014, The Booklist Reader is updated daily with feature content for both librarians and recreational readers. Articles often link to reviews found on Booklist Online.

Book Links A quarterly supplement to Booklist that is free to Booklist subscribers, Book Links magazine helps educators and youth librarians design topical literature-based curriculum. Book Links provides thematic bibliographies with related discussion questions and activities, author and illustrator interviews and essays, and articles written by educators on practical ways to turn children on to reading. Each issue includes specific suggestions for tying Common Core State Standards to books featured in the publication. Published in September, November, January, and April, each Book Links issue focuses on a different core curriculum area, including social studies, multicultural literature, language arts, and science. Book Links articles from October 2009 onward are available to Booklist subscribers on Booklist Online.

Webinars Booklist hosts 3-5 webinars per month with varying subject matter. Booklist webinars address such topics as curriculum design, how to increase reading rates, seasonal features, and publishing previews sponsored by various publishing houses and imprints. Anyone can sign up for a Booklist webinar, regardless of whether or not they subscribe to the publication.

Newsletters Booklist publishes a variety of monthly, bimonthly and quarterly newsletters, all of which are delivered in electronic form via e-mail.

  • 'REaD ALERT provides links to a chosen few reviews from the current issue of Booklist.
  • Booklist Online Exclusives offers links to the set of reviews and feature articles that are published exclusively on Booklist Online.
  • Booklandia offers links to popular YA reviews and feature content that highlights trends in the YA genre.
  • Quick Tips for Schools & Libraries provides discussion questions and activities for librarians and educators working to connect children with literature.
  • Corner Shelf provides content that addresses Readers’ Advisory and Collection Development, aimed at helping librarians find common ground between the two.
  • Top Shelf Reference offers recurring features such as "Real-Life Reference," "Talking Shop with . . ." and "Reference Site to Remember," in order to assist librarians with reference collection development.
  • Booklist Online Video Review is an overview of the most highly recommended video and audiovisual titles.
  • Bookmakers is a periodic e-newsletter that focuses on the history of a single publishing house.

The American Library Association sponsors and juries many annual literary awards, such as the Newbery Medal, the Caldecott Medal, and the Alex Award. Booklist itself sponsors three main awards: the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, the Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction, and the Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production.

The Printz Award is administered by the Young Adult Library Services Association. The Carnegie Medals are administered by an annually appointed selection committee, including a chair, three Booklist editors or contributors, and three former members of the RUSA CODES Notable Books Council. The Odyssey Award is jointly administered by the Association for Library Service to Children and the Young Adult Library Services Association.

Additionally, Booklist selects Editors’ Choice lists for adult books, young adult books, books for youth, adult audiobooks, and audiobooks for youth. The best title in each category is selected to a list known as Top of The List. Editors' Choice and Top of the List titles are announced in December and printed in the subsequent January 1 & 15 double issue of Booklist.[6]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Book Review Magazines". Book Market. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  2. ^ "Introduction". Booklist. 1 (1–2): 2. Jan.–Feb. 1905. {{cite journal}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ http://www.booklistreader.com/about-us/
  4. ^ http://www.booklistonline.com/staff
  5. ^ http://www.booklistonline.com/writing-for-booklist
  6. ^ http://www.booklistonline.com/book-awards
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