Peek Inside: School Librarians: Gatekeepers & Book Buying Part 1 by Kathy Halsey

I was a teacher-librarian for 15 years. Confession #1: All that time I had no IDEA I was a gatekeeper, like that fellow in The Wizard of Oz. "NO, you can't see the wizard, no way, no how." I learned of this title once I became a writer. Confession #2: School librarians are too busy to keep anybody out of their spaces. Actually, good librarians are happiest when the library bustles, books fly out, classes come in and we teach & plan with teachers. 

So when do we buy books? Off hours, before and after school, during lunch, on the weekend. We read journals, we attend review groups (much like writer critique groups), we thumb through catalogs that pile up on the desks we never use; we go to bookstores and have book reps visit us. Confession #3: I have actually read catalogs while in the bathroom. SHH, don't tell anyone. 
Librarians DO know that they practice "collection development." This is a science, a Master's level class, and a way to "buy books." It never stops. Our first mission is to "support the curriculum" and then "provide for pleasurable reading." Nonfiction writers? YOU support mission statement #1. Fiction writers? You usually fit our #2 mission. However, the library budget trumps all of this and budgets have been slashed since the early 2000's. 

So, what does this mean to you as a children's writer? 
1. Your school librarian is your partner. We love writers and author visits. It gives us a chance to look like rock stars, too. My street cred w/middle schoolers skyrockets before and after a good author visit. So, give your best and librarians will appreciate it. If possible, give us a break on honorariums (remember budget...).
2. Get to know your library partner, a lit lover, just like you. Call your local school and set up a visit to meet the librarian. Many times, you'll find him/her at several buildings because certified librarians have been cut drastically due to budgets. 
When you visit, immerse yourself in our world:
1. Offer to shelve books-you'll see what kids enjoy reading, since these are the books that circulate.
2. Take a tour and see what sections of the library are messy and have empty spots- kids decimate the areas they love. You should be writing these books. See what books are featured or displayed. Note the topics when you need a new idea.
3. Talk to the kiddos tucked into a corner reading-they are the avid readers and your personal focus group. 
4. Read a journal or flip through a catalog-see what resonates with you as a writer, a reader. Ask the librarian for what appeals to them.
6. Make a date to come back again, offer to talk to a group of avid readers on your next visit; buy the librarian a cup o'joe.
Oh, wait, the wizard will see you now...you have successful entered the library and made friends with a "gatekeeper" who will sing your praises and tell his/her colleagues about you. Best PR ever.
I'll cover more on collection development in part 2 later in October. Stay tuned.

Friday’s Find – What Do Kids Read in YOUR State?

by Kathy Halsey

On Fridays you’ll find us GROGers on the hunt for gems we feel writers could use. These tidbits may be a bit esoteric, but that’s part of the fun! What WILL those groggy GROGers find next???

So here’s today’s question…what do the following items all have in common?

1. Buckeye
2. Blue Bonnet
3. Mitten,
4. Blue Spruce
5. Blue Hen

No, it’s not game of “let’s pick out the only item that does not belong!” If you guessed that these are the readers’ choice awards of Ohio, Texas, Michigan, Colorado, and Delaware, you win the blue ribbon!  Did you know that every state has a children’s choice award? Some states champion teen awards and some also recognize non-fiction!

You ask, “But why is this important to me as a writer?” Glad you asked, curious reader! Two “old saws” will answer your burning question. Old saw #1: All politics is local. Old saw #2: Location, location, location! (realtors) Do you get the connection? Think LOCAL! Peruse your state’s reading awards site and get to know your local audience. Cynthia Leitich Smith, New York Times best-selling author, writing teacher, and speaker, has a complete list of all the state awards, plus other goodies for kidlit writers here.

As a former board member of The Buckeye Children’s Book Award, Ohio’s readers’ choice award, I learned so much about Ohio’s young readers during my tenure, but you don’t have to be on the board to support/benefit from your state award. The benefits…

·         I learned the themes/subjects/genres that resonate with Ohio readers.

·         I met other local/national authors at the annual awards banquet.

·         I networked with public librarians, school librarians, professors and teachers across the state.

·         I found lists of books Ohio kids adore going back to the early 80’s – good mentor texts for my local audience!

As your tour guide for the Buckeye Book site, we find features that are similar to many other states.

·         The award is usually a collaboration of library/educator/reading associations. (Sometimes we writers call these folks “gatekeepers.” These are good folks to know!) For example, in Ohio the sponsors of the Buckeye are the State Library of Ohio, Ohio Council International Reading Association The Ohio Council of Teachers of English Language Arts, The Ohio Educational Library Media Association, The Ohio Library Council and The Kent State University School of Library and Information Science.

·         The award groups encourage reading for pleasure and newer titles, usually within the last 2-3 years. Nominated titles are kid favorites and teacher/librarian approved. (Your specific state list might be a great set of mentor texts for you!)

·         The BCBA even mentions authors: “The Buckeye Children’s and Teen Book Award program is designed to encourage students in Ohio to read literature critically, to promote teacher and librarian involvement in young adult literature programs, and to commend authors of such literature. The Teen category was added to the existing Buckeye Children’s Book Award in 2003. (Buckeye winners are feted at a state conference from one of the sponsoring associations and usually the award group picks up the travel tab!)

Take some time to investigate YOUR state’s award soon! They have this GROGer’s seal of approval and a blue ribbon for promoting authors!