Describes the Berg Collection of the New York Public Library, a special collection of 19th- and 20th-century English and American literature, written by the daughter of the collection's first curator. The development of the collection by the Berg brothers is described, and growth and expansion of the collection is discussed. (LRW)

Directed at the novice selector of Latin American literature in Spanish, this article suggests a strategy and tools for collecting these titles. Sources consulted for selecting this literature; book dealers, vendors, and publishers with a strong literary focus, and useful World Wide Web sites are appended. (AEF)

Because of its complex history, Puerto Rico's legend and myth surpass the literature of other regions and present special characteristics and problems pertaining to its population. Bibliographic control of Puerto Rican publications is often insufficient and there is a need for an organized and extensive bibliography which covers all disciplines…

Discusses problems faced by innercity libraries and describes programs at a Cleveland Public Library branch that help make the library an integral part of the community. Topics addressed include a new immigrant population; developing a Spanish language collection; attracting children and adolescents; discipline and safety; and working with the…

Presents ten steps toward a more multicultural youth library to help bridge cultural and linguistic gaps in public and school libraries. Topics include mission statements; physical environment; collection diversity; collaboration; bilingual materials; multicultural materials; community involvement; and appreciating diversity. (LRW)

Provides elementary and middle school library media specialists with criteria for evaluating poetry collections, including balancing contemporary and traditional poetry and responding to children's preferences; discusses ways to promote poetry with both students and teachers; and includes a selected bibliography of 60 recommended poetry books.…

Discusses the importance of nonfiction as part of children's and young adults' reading. Topics include library collection development practices to keep nonfiction collections up-to-date; electronic formats that allow interaction; nonfiction picture books; booktalks; results of research on reading and skill development related to nonfiction; and…

Discusses the importance of books that combine quality illustrations with quality stories of a multicultural world that are suitable for elementary school students. Includes suggestions for librarians and teachers who are selecting books and evaluating collections. (LRW)

Discusses graphic novels and visual literacy and notes the increases in the graphic novels budget at Downers Grove (Illinois) Public Library. Outlines seven steps to developing a graphics collection. Sidebars highlight popular titles, award-winners, and Web sites for librarians just learning about graphic novels. (AEF)

The first of a series on Holocaust literature for young people, discusses reviewing, selecting, teaching, and promoting books about the Holocaust and suggests ways to connect these stories to accounts about racism. Highlights individual books, identifies print and nonprint teaching resources, and provides a bibliography of books for middle school…

Provides an overview of the College of Charleston's faculty/library liaison system and describes library and faculty efforts to maintain the computer science and English collections. Concludes that a liaison system can provide better coverage and higher quality than any other means available to small and medium-sized college libraries. (PEN)

A school librarian and book reviewer argues that buyers, reviewers, editors, and publishers need to look more carefully at series books. Discusses series and reviewing tools and ways reviewers can help colleagues make the best choices for students. Recommends two social studies series, and suggests questions to ask when buying series books. (PEN)

Presents an overview of libraries and related services for Palestinian Arab Children in the Haifa and Galilee regions of Israel and on the West Bank based on interviews with librarians and educators between 1993 and 1996. Covers funding, organization, collection development, censorship, staffing, and programming. (MMU)

Describes the development of children's services at the Champaign Public Library. Highlights include the first physically separate space for children; collaboration with students from the University of Illinois library school; and growth in the collection and in programs. (LRW)

Discusses the value of series romance novels that are written for adults but that teen readers enjoy. Highlights include defining series romances; characteristics of series romances; collection development issues for libraries; sensuality levels; resources, including books and Web sites; and an annotated list of 100 appropriate titles. (LRW)