Wilson, Patricia Potter & Leslie, Roger. Center stage; library programs that inspire middle school patrons - Book Review

Kliatt, Nov, 2002 by Paula Rohrlick

Libraries Unltd. 204p. illus. bibliog. index. c2002. 1-56308-796-0. $35.00.

The authors, who have experience in education and as library media specialists, have written two previous books on library programs: Premiere Events: Library Programs That Inspire Elementary School Patrons, and Igniting the Spark: Programs That Inspire High School Patrons. They write here that "middle-school students are perhaps the most impressionable group," in terms of forming attitudes about library use, "ripe for change and open to new views," and explain how library programs can motivate them and promote enthusiasm for libraries and for learning.

Wilson and Leslie make a convincing case for the wide-ranging benefits of providing library programs, both grand and small-scale, and offer information on planning, producing, and assessing them, with many detailed examples from around the country. For instance, they describe an author-in-residence program; a trivial pursuit reference challenge; an urban legends storytelling festival; tech fest programs for teachers; and sharing "Big Six Skills" with parents. Chapters cover such topics as putting students center stage, how to identify and locate resources, and searching the Internet for resources. Well worth considering for all middle school libraries. Paula Rohrlick, KLIATT