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SMLD > Services > Children Services > Cream of the Crop > Guidelines

Cream of the Crop Guidelines

What is the Cream of the Crop?

Each year publishing houses send thousands of review copies of new children's and young adult books to the Maine Examination Collection c/o the Southern Maine Library District. The books are reviewed at SMLD monthly book review meetings by local librarians. A “Cream of the Crop” Collection of the best titles published in the previous year is prepared for the Maine Regional Library System’s Reading Round-Up Conference in April. The Collection contains about 120 books from preschool to high school age levels.  After Reading Round-Up, the collection travels to libraries throughout the state for a year. At the end of the year it is disbursed and a new Collection is formed.

What is Included With the Collection?

  • Fiction, nonfiction and picture books (fits on one book cart or three 3 ft. shelves)
  • Blue plastic bins with attached lids for transporting the collection; bins measure 21 ½” x 15” x 10” with a lid that closes at the top (similar to the bins used for the statewide delivery system)
  • Signs for displays
  • A list of all the books (photocopy the list for handouts)
  • Sample press release, evaluation forms

When Can Our Library Borrow the Collection?

  • NMLD (Mid April- May 31, June, July, August)
    Counties: Aroostook, Hancock, Knox, Penobscot, Piscataquis, Waldo, Washington
  • CMLD (September, October, November, December)
    Counties: Androscoggin, Franklin, Lincoln, Kennebec, Oxford, Sagadahoc, Somerset
  • SMLD (January, February, March)
    Counties: Cumberland, York, and the following Oxford County libraries -- Brownfield, Denmark, Fryeburg, Lovell, and SAD #72

What Must Host Librarians Agree to?

  1. Make the Collection available to children, teachers, librarians, parents, and other interested groups.
  2. Books are for display purposes only and cannot be loaned.
  3. Use the Collection for exhibits, programs, fundraising, and reviewing.
  4. Arrange for transportation of the Collection to and from your site.  Deliveries are made by librarians -- not shipped.
  5. Upon receipt of the collection, please follow the instructions listed below:
    • Unpack and inventory the collection as soon as possible using the packing list.
    • Photocopy the list [or part of it] for handouts or special programs. It is not copyrighted. To view the list online, go to http://www.state.me.us/msl/smld/services/cream/index.htm.
    • Complete one of the post cards in the purple folder and return to the SMLD Office.
    • Notify the SMLD Office of any problems as soon as possible.
    • Inventory the collection again before sending to the next library.
    • After sending the collection to the next site, complete and return the Evaluation Form to the SMLD Office

How Can Libraries Use the Collection?

  • Reviewing - Use the Collection to provide ideas for purchasing new titles.
  • Open House - Invite parents, local librarians, trustees, children, and the general public to an open house at your library. Schedule a book talk about your favorites and hand out copies of the whole list or parts of it. Teachers – Send notices to local teachers and college faculty about the collection. Schedule special programs for faculty and students. Encourage them to write reviews of their own. Prepare lists for specific curricula.
  • Book Talks - Present Book Talks for parents highlighting gift books, books for specific ages, or award winners.Sneak Peak - Offer children a sneak peak at the books you will be ordering for your library.Let them reserve their favorites and offer opinions of the “Cream of the Crop.”
  • Librarians’ Program – Hold a special program for area school and public librarians. Talk about ways to use the collection cooperatively. How many do they have in their libraries? Fundraiser - Display the collection and insert forms for purchasing the book for the library “In Honor of”, “In Memory of” or “Presented by”.This is a way to supplement the book budget and show community support.
  • Authors – Highlight authors and illustrators in the collection, especially noting the ones from Maine. Programs - Plan story programs, craft programs, summer reading programs, or book discussions with some of the books.Ask children to draw their own book covers. Communicate with the author and/or illustrator.
  • Publicity – Write an article for your web site, the local shopping notes, the library newsletter, or local newspaper. Invite the press to a special program. Stress the importance of reading for the fun of it!

How Do I Apply?

Fill out this hosting application.

Further Information

Southern Maine Library District Office
5 Monument Square
Portland, Maine 04101
(207) 871-1766
SMLD@portland.lib.me.us