A lot can change in a few months! I last blogged about Virtual Reader’s Advisory and my video book talks in September. Since then, we’ve tried other methods of virtual reader’s advisory, including the Virtual Book Displays I shared a few months back and even a few Virtual Book Talks directly to classrooms.
Learn more about:
– Audio Only Virtual Book Talks
– In Person Book Talks
– Virtual Book Displays
– Virtual Reader’s Advisory
– Virtual Video Book Talks
But the biggest change since any of those previous posts is that–like many of you I imagine–my library is now open to the public! Real displays are once again a regular part of our service, and it feels like our patrons want them more than ever before, with displays quickly being emptied and a few requests last week for more face out picture book options.
However, many people still aren’t coming into the library, so we are continuing to look for ways to virtually promote books. Read on for some information on Overdrive Curated Collections and new video book talks.
OverDrive Curated Collections
Our OverDrive system (part of the larger Ohio Digital Library collection) lets us create collections of books to highlight on the Libby app and Overdrive website.
The backend looks a little drab, and the process for adding books to the list isn’t my favorite:
To add books to your list, you need to search for them one at a time in Overdrive Marketplace (or search for subject headings and filter).
Adding to the frustration of that system, many kids books, especially picture books, aren’t available as ebooks (or we don’t own them, and since I am not in charge of purchasing, I can’t add them).
But even with those struggles, I had a lot of fun making lists for this service. I use Libby a lot personally, and it feels great to see something I created front and center on a service like this.
From what I can tell, you should be able to see these collections through the links below, even without an account at my library. The exact books you see will be randomized, with available titles showing up first. Check out some of the collections I’ve made:
- Fierce Females
- Graphic Novels for Kids and Teens
- Asian & Pacific Islander Stories (coming soon!)
Video Book Talks
And of course, video book talks continue on our YouTube channel. I’ve streamlined this process a bit, but these still have a similar vibe to the ones shared in my original video book talk post as well as my virtual reader’s advisory post.
Find some of my newest highlighted titles below (and subscribe to my library’s YouTube channel for at least one additional video book talk each week!).
13th Street: Battle of the Bad Breath Bats by David Bowles
American as Paneer Pie by Supriya Kelkar
Becoming Muhammad Ali by Kwame Alexander and James Patterson
Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
Best Babysitters Ever by Caroline Cala
The Best of Iggy by Annie Barrows
Black Brother, Black Brother by Jewell Parker Rhodes
Count Me In by Varsha Bajaj
Craftily Ever After by Martha Maker
Dave the Unicorn by Pip Bird
Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol by Andres Miedoso
Diana and the Island of No Return by Aisha Saeed
Dramatic Life of Azaleah Lane by Nikki Shannon Smith
Farah Rocks Summer Break by Susan Muaddi Darraj
I Can Make This Promise by Christine Day
I’ll Be the One by Lyla Lee
Keep It Together Keiko Carter by Debbie Michiko Florence
King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender
Klawde: Evil Alien Warlord Cat by Johnny Marciano
The Land of Cranes by Aida Salazar
The Little Mermaid by Jerry Pinkney
Locker 37: The Rewindable Clock by Aaron Starmer
Love Sugar Magic: A Dash of Trouble by Anna Meriano
Magnificent Makers: How to Test a Friendship by Theanne Griffith
Max Meow: Cat Crusader by John Gallagher
Measuring Up by Lily Lamotte
Mellybean and the Giant Monster by Mike White
Mia Mayhem is a Superhero! by Kara West
Not Your All-American Girl by Wendy Shang and Madelyn Rosenberg
The Only Black Girls in Town by Brandy Colbert
Paola Santiago and the River of Tears by Tehlor Kay Meija
Pie in the Sky by Remy Lai
Sherlock Bones and the Natural History Museum by Renee Treml
Shirley & Jamila Save Their Summer by Gillian Goerz
Sparkleton: The Magic Day by Calliope Glass
Spirit Hunters by Ellen Oh
The Street Beneath My Feet by Charlotte Guillain
A Thousand Questions by Saadia Faruqi
Twins by Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright
Ty’s Travels: Zip, Zoom by Kelly Starling Lyons
Witches of Brooklyn by Sophie Escabasse
Zenobia July by Lisa Bunker
Zoey & Sassafras: Dragons & Marshmallows by Asia Citro