91´«Ã½

Booklist has had a busy summer. In September, librarians will find new features and events on their desks (Booklist print) or desktops (Booklist Online), all designed to streamline collection development and reader’s advisory at the same time as offering behind-the-scenes insights into the world of publishing, books and media.

First up, with the inaugural issue coming in September, the new bimonthly e-newsletter Booklist Online Video Review offers free and easy access to new reviews of videos for adults and youth, as well as special features including Top 10 lists and View-alikes. Booklist’s video coverage has been an essential resource for public and school library video buyers for years, and now it’s only a keystroke away.

Sue-Ellen Beauregard, media editor, looks forward to this new and expanded format for offering the concise, knowledgeable and informative evaluations that have long helped media librarians make informed buying decisions.

“Organizing the video reviews in this format allows Booklist to reach a wider audience of librarians, collection development personnel and film fans,” she said. “Slated for the first issue are a Top 10 sports video list and starred reviews of the eagerly anticipated documentary, “The Tenth Inning,” from filmmakers Ken Burns and Lynn Novick and a video adaptation of Mo Willems popular picture book “The Pigeon Finds a Hot Dog!”

Anyone can for Video Review to get the recommendations they need right at their fingertips--no charge, and no more waiting to get to the top of the routing list. Video Review joins the popular line-up of Booklist Online e-newsletters, REaD Alert, Booklist Online Exclusives and Booklist’s Quick Tips for Schools and Libraries. To sign up for all or any of these, .

Secondly, as librarians seek more guidance in the proliferating area of graphic novels, Booklist is adding a dedicated monthly section. While some graphic novels are clearly intended for adults or children, many are appropriate for more than one audience, so graphic novel coverage is moving to its own section. The titles will still be categorized by age—adult, YA and children—but they will all be reviewed together in one robust section.

And last on the list of September innovations, is an outstanding free webinar marking Banned Books Week at the end of the month. Librarians and teachers face more challenges than ever when it comes to defending children’s right to read. Booklist webinars have attracted thousands of participants in the past year, and the new webinar season kicks off with a stellar line-up of expert panelists for “Defending the Right to Read: Celebrating Banned Books Week” on Sept. 28. Panelists include renowned author and longtime advocate of intellectual freedom, Judy Blume, discussing book rating systems, the impact of the Internet on challenges, the effect of censorship on children’s publishing and how to best prepare for book challenges. Additional speakers include Beverly Horowitz, vice president and publisher of Delacorte Press Books for Young Readers; Pat Scales, former school librarian and a member of the National Coalition against Censorship Council of Advisors; Kristin Pekoll, a young-adult librarian at the West Bend, Wisc. Community Memorial Library; and Nanette Perez, program officer at 91´«Ã½’s Office for Intellectual Freedom.

Participants can sponsored by Random House Children’s Books. Seating is limited; however, all registrants will receive an archived video of the live event.

is the book review magazine of the 91´«Ã½, considered an essential collection development and reader’s advisory tool by thousands of librarians for more than 100 years. includes an archive of more than 135,000 reviews available to subscribers as well as a wealth of free content offering the latest news and views on books and media.