Library Idea January 13, 2003

Would you like your staff to use your library's magazine collection more? Want to promote reading aloud and reading non-fiction across the curriculum? Here's an idea: Each time a new magazine comes in, I scan the table of contents for articles that may be of interest to my staff members. I usually only scan the more academic publications like American Heritage, Scientific American, and the like. I photocopy copies of the t.o.c and distribute with a cover slip asking teachers to highlight any titles they would like a copy of, encouraging them to use the material as a class read-aloud or post it in their classes. So far, the response has been great. It generates more work for me, but it is a good assignment to pass along to my student aides.