The Crestview Public Library's collection development policies and guidelines help us with our selections.
We use many American Library Association-approved periodicals such as “Publishers Weekly” and “Library Journal.” Both include the latest information about the publishing industry, bestseller books and book reviews.
Literary medal winners also are included in our selection process.
From the end of January to the beginning of February, I anxiously await the list of winners for Newbery, Caldecott and Coretta Scott King book awards.
The Newbery Medal — named for 18th century British bookseller John Newbery — is awarded by the Association for Library Service to Children, an American Library Association division. Authors chosen for the medal are recognized for having the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
The 2014 winner was “Flora & Ulysses: The Illuminated Adventures” by Kate DiCamillo.
The Caldecott Medal — named in honor of 19th century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott, also awarded by the Association for Library Service to Children — recognizes the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
The 2014 award went to “Locomotive,” illustrated and written by Brian Floca.
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards recognize outstanding African-American authors and illustrators.
"The award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and honors his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood," the Medford Public Library's website states.
To earn the award, books for children and young adults must demonstrate appreciation of African-American culture and universal human values.
The 2014 award went to “P.S. Be Eleven” by Rita Williams-Garcia.
Jean Lewis is the Crestview Public Library's director.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: CHECK IT OUT: Award-winning books among library selections