Aimed at pre-teen and middle school patrons, this quick introduction to library services—filmed at the Baltimore County Public Library—features an upbeat young host who describes services and resources that would be of most interest to her own age group, including computers, Internet access, CDs, DVDs, and audio books, as well as magazines and books. Live chat reference is also available round the clock (one vignette depicts a boy who cannot sleep until he logs on to ask a librarian when he will stop getting taller). Young viewers will learn that all library workers are not librarians; others, such as circulation staff and volunteers, have different tasks. The host briefly explains how materials are received and processed before being shelved, the barcoding system, and new RFID technology that makes it faster to check out materials. An overview of the Dewey Decimal System offers examples of books that might be found in each topic area. The host also uses BCPL's online catalog (an AquaBrowser interface) to find a book about hurricanes, showing viewers how to perform a search, find a call number on the screen, locate the book on the shelf, and search again for books by the same author. Check it Out! provides a solid introduction to the library—humorous but not too cloying—that will appeal to younger patrons (although the services and resources offered at BCPL may not be available everywhere). Recommended. Aud: E, I, J, P. (M. Puffer-Rothenberg)
Check It Out! Kids in the Library
(2008) 14 min. DVD or VHS: $99. Library Video Network. PPR. ISBN: 1-56641-114-9 (dvd). Volume 24, Issue 1
Check It Out! Kids in the Library
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