Competency #10: The Internet

I used Google to search for a website using the search: middle school reluctant readers. I selected ALAN Online as a website related to my topic. It is the official site for the Assembly on Literature for Adolescents. This webiste has many useful features, including interviews with popular and new authors, news about the YA bookworld, and podcasts. ALAN Online also posts book reviews each month for new YA books. I read a couple of these and found some good suggestions. The reviews include a brief teaser for each a book and then a short review, including information about what audience might like the book. The site also hosts monthly book chats on a single, selected work. Anyone is welcome to participate, and the site conducts a Q&A with the author of the selected work the following week. This website is a great source for books to entice reluctant readers.

Competency #9: Image

This is the cover for the first book in Patrick Carman's new series. I selected this image because this book is an excellent example of what authors and publishers are doing to try to entice reluctant readers. The book itself is easy to read (fairly short, large font) and written as a journal. Ryan is writing the journal while he is stuck at home recovering from a mysterious accident. His best friend, Sarah, has a video blog. As she uncovers information, she sends Ryan a new password for the blog. The reader then goes to the blog, enters the password, and views Sarah's video. This book is high interest, low ability and has the extra technology punch to lure readers.

I found this image by going to Patrick Carman's website: http://patrickcarman.com/main/skeletoncreek/.

Competency #8: Research Visual

This graph shows a correlation between reading and standardized test scores. It shows that students who read daily have highter test scores. This is relevant to my topic because it illustrates the necessity of reaching out to reluctant readers. Kids have so many distractions that it is more important than ever for teachers, parents, and librarians to actively support reading. Image courtesy of teentrendsetter.com. Teen Trendsetters is an organization that matches teen mentors with struggling readers.

Competency #6: Database Searching, Browsing

I used the browsing strategy on LexisNexis and found results rather quickly. I entered the search term: reluctant readers and the database retrieved 998 sources. I saw articles about Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Harry Potter, and graphic novels, as well as other popular books. Then I saw the title, "The Dreaded Summer Reading List." I found this editorial from USA Today to be interesting and relevant. By browsing I was able to locate some documents I probably would not have found in a more extensive search, but it does take a little more time.

Competency #6: Database Searching, Specific Facet

I used DIALOG for this search. Since DIALOG costs to search, I decided to use the specific facet search. I began with reluctant reader? as my query and found 85 results. I then added program? and school? and combined all three searches. This yielded 11 results, including one for using newspapers for struggling readers.

I liked completing this search because of the way the results are displayed in table format. I was a little nervous because I was afraid I would do something wrong.

Competency #6: Database Searching, Citation Pearl

I did the Citation Pearl search on ERIC. I started with an article by Kimberly Bolan entitled "Looks Like Teen Spirit: Libraries for Youth Are Changing--Thanks to Teen Input." I clicked "More Like This" and recieved a list of search terms. I selected "library services," "student participation," and "adolescents." The result was an informative article about involving teens in the creation of library programs.

I liked using the Citation Pearl search and found that the results were positive. I think this type of search would be beneficial when the user is having difficulty finding relevant documents. Once the user has found one match, the search would allow him to piggy-back into finding others.

Competency #6: Database Searching, Building Blocks

I decided to start with the Library Lit database. I wanted to search for ways to encourage reluctant or non-readers to come to the library. For concept one, I searched "young adults or teens." For concept two, I searched "programs or services." For concept three, I searched "reluctant or struggling." My initial search only yielded two results, so I removed "reluctant or struggling" and got better results. It seems that almost all the articles about teen services dealt with struggling readers.

The Building Blocks search strategy helped me to focus and narrow my topic and my thinking before I began the searching process. In addition, it was easy to modify my search because I had already broken it down into it's constituent parts.