Services for Children's Librarians
Book
Review Forms | Summer Reading
Celebrations
Meetings
for Children's Librarians
Any staff who work with children in public libraries are cordially invited to attend these meetings. Meetings are typically held once each season -- fall, winter and spring -- in selected SMLD libraries. Meetings may be sharing sessions or include a guest speaker. Participants are encouraged to bring ideas and handouts for sharing sessions. Dates and topics are listed on the calendar. There is no fee but registration with the SMLD Office or host library is required.
Please register by contacting the SMLD Office -
email: smld@portland.lib.me.us, Tel.
871-1766 or 1-800-649-7696
Children's
and Young Adult Book Review 
The Southern Maine Library District receives
almost 3,000 children's and young adult review
books from over 75 publishing houses each year.
These books form the Maine
Examination Collection of Children's and Young
Adult Books. The Collection was established
in 1973 and includes Maine and New England
books, fiction, picture books, non-fiction,
professional titles, foreign language books,
reprints, and special editions. Age levels
range from preschool through senior high school.
Monthly Meetings and Schedule
Open to registered reviewers from school and public libraries.
Meetings are free of charge and pre-registration is not required.
- 2nd Wednesday of each month (except September & April)
- Time: 10:15 a.m. to 12:00 Noon
- Place: Portland Public Library - Room 316,
3rd floor (except, February & March -
Room 419, 4th floor)
- Dates:
- No meeting in September because of Performers Showcase
- October 8, 2008
- November 12, 2008
- December 10, 2008 *
- January 14, 2009 *
- February 11, 2009 *
- March 11, 2009 *
- No meeting in April because of Reading Round-Up
- May 13, 2009
- June 10, 2009
* Meetings postponed due to inclement weather will automatically be held the following Wednesday. If weather is again a problem, meetings are cancelled until the following month. Call the SMLD answering machine after 7:00 a.m. to check on cancellations.
- Summer Meeting Schedule
- Time: 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- Place: Portland Public Library (Room
416, 4th floor). Brown bag suppers
welcome!
- Tuesday, July 14, 2009
- Thursday, August 13, 2009
Book Review Form
- Review form in HTML but
this is not the PDF version that you can
fill in online-See next line
- Review
form.pdf (PDF format on another website), This file requires the free Adobe Reader. Please
note this is not accessible for all people
so we offer the HTML above.
- Note: When selecting the age level(s),
hold down the Shift key and click with the
cursor to select ages that are next to each
other (such as Preschool, K-3). To select
ages that are not next to each other (such
as 4-6 and Adult/Professional), hold down
the Control key and click with the cursor.
Guidelines for Book Reviewers
What is the Maine Examination Collection?
Established in 1973, the Maine Examination Collection was formed to assist librarians in book selection. The Collection is also used to develop the Cream of the Crop Collection, a highlight of the statewide children’s literature conference Reading Round-Up. It includes Maine and New England books, picture books, fiction, non-fiction, professional titles, foreign language books, reprints, and audiovisual materials. Each year about 3,000 hard cover and paperback review copies are received from over 50 publishers. Age levels range from preschool through senior high school.
Where is the Collection Located?
The Collection is housed at the Portland Public Library in Room 416, 4th floor.
Who is Eligible to Use the Collection?
Only librarians who work with children in public or school libraries are eligible. New reviewers must register with the SMLD Office. Additional uses of the collection or review requests made by others such as faculty or authors must be approved by the District Consultant.
Is it Necessary to Attend the Monthly Book Review Meetings?
Reviewers are expected to attend the meetings regularly to share their reviewed books and to participate in the discussions.
What is the Review Loan Period?
The borrowing period is one month. Reviewers who consistently keep books longer may have their borrowing privileges revoked. The loan period may be extended under special circumstances after consulting the SMLD Office.
Summer Reading
Celebrations
Organized by the Maine Regional Library Districts
and held annually in August. Free for children
enrolled in Maine public library summer reading
programs.
Further Information for any Children's Service
or Program
Southern Maine Library District, 5 Monument
Square, Portland, ME 04101-4072
