Library Services Review Committees

The Elementary and Secondary Library Media Center Materials Review Committees read and discuss recently published books written for young people. Publishers and other vendors provide complimentary copies of the books for review. The work of these committees contributes significantly to the selection of worthwhile books for our school library media centers.

Each review committee is made up of approximately 25-30 diverse members representing a cross-section of the community. Parents, community members, teachers, school counselors and library media specialists are on the committees. Students are also welcome on the secondary review committee. These committees are formed at the beginning of the school year to read and review materials for school library media specialists to consider for purchase. The reviewing committees review complimentary copies of books and periodicals sent by publishers. The review committees meet seven - eight times throughout the school year starting in September and ending in April. Attendance at the meetings is important. Each reviewer writes a review after reading a book, and the books are discussed at the monthly meetings. After each meeting, the recommended books are posted to Titlewave with the addition of comments made by the reviewers. These recommended lists are used extensively by library media specialists as they select materials for their collections.

Professional growth credit is given to OPS staff for time spent reading and in meetings. In addition, persons reviewing books during the year have an opportunity to select new books for the school library media center of their choice. Please consider joining us in our effort to see that Omaha's students, K-12, have the best materials possible available to them in their library media centers.

To register call Jane at 557-2520 or email jane.rumbaugh@ops.org

Bibliographies (from past years) Lists are now posted in Titlewave.