Subscription Databases


Database: Teaching Books

Developed by: Teaching Books, LLC

Access: San Jose State University

Summary

Introduced to the public in 2001 at the American Library Association convention, TeachingBooks.net is a resource for book lovers. The site focuses on books for kids and teens and offers vetted teaching tools for K-12, university, and public library settings. The database offers multimedia, book guides, author interaction, book readings, and search tools for a vast collection of children and young adult literature.

Critical Evaluation

The discovery of TeachingBooks.net is a game changer for me in terms of providing book recommendations and creating book lists for myself. The database offers ways to identify what a user can search for even when a topic or genre is unknown. Titles that are promoted on the homepage are wonderful prompts for someone needing direction for new and relevant books that have received praise and recognition from Publishers Weekly. Resources for learning are easily located, and a diverse selection of material is highlighted for readers. The browsing option allows for finding books based on title, author and illustrator, book lists, series, and awards. The database encompasses all things associated with reading, and in a modern, convenient search tool.

User's Annotation

Users of this database have access to multimedia, book lists, and homework resources that provide connections to age specific material. New content is uploaded daily and customized reading collections can be created here.

About the Developer

TeachingBooks was founded upon the premise that educators find enjoyment and professional value in seeing and hearing authors talk about their work. Nick Glass, the Founder of TeachingBooks, had hosted many author presentations in his previous work—bringing authors to bookstores, schools, libraries, and conferences—and even arranged live author programs for educators over a distance-learning video network during the 1990s. Each author interaction with educators inspired new insights for teaching and sharing books with children—and Nick wanted to give this opportunity to everyone.

In November 2000, the genesis for TeachingBooks took form. It debuted at the American Library Association convention in San Francisco in June 2001, and was launched on the Internet September 1, 2001. TeachingBooks began selling licenses in November 2003.

Genre

Reading tools, education, diversity.

Database Talking Ideas

Online author events, recorded audio and commentary regarding publications, and a Reader's Advisory page all help readers feel connected to the books they are reading. What resources has this database improved upon for students and teachers?

 Available on TeachingBooks.com

Reading Level: Pre-K through Grade 12

Challenge Issues: Sex education, LGBTQ+ and Transgender book lists.

How to Defend a Challenge

Why I Chose This Database:

This database is multi-functional and the content spans all age ranges for children and young adult material. This is a fantastic resource for students, book lovers, and teachers alike.

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Database: NoveList Plus via LiLIforSchools.org (Libraries Linking Idaho)
 
Provided By: EBSCO
 
Access: Boise Public Library Databases

Summary 
 
NoveList Plus is a database for searching new and notable books for all ages. The database categorizes books by age and sub-genres the comprise fiction and nonfiction publications. The content is meant to recommend books according to preference and for book displays and book club picks.
 
Critical Evaluation
 
NoveList Plus is a good database to consider when looking for buzz books in the media and titles that are richly reviewed and summarized. Book selections are contributed by educators, novelists, and librarians. Users are also encouraged to contribute Read-Alike suggestions to add to the book lists, which helps connect users to one another. This database reminds me of Goodreads in that popular titles are shared by genre and are added to book lists. It's not clear how often NoveList Plus uploads new content, but the book lists appear to show relatively new books published within the last three years. I think this is a wonderful, diverse, thorough database for new fiction and non-fiction books.
 
User's Annotation 
 
Users of this database can find book recommendations based on genres in the fiction and non-fiction categories. The database offers a search tool that allows for searching by author, titles, genre, and plot points. 

About the Provider

EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) is a wholly owned subsidiary of EBSCO Industries, Inc., one of the largest privately held and family-owned companies in the United States. EBSCO Industries, Inc. has been in business since 1944 and acquired EBSCO Publishing in 1987. Starting out as a small subscription agency, EBSCO Publishing, now EBSCO Information Services, quickly became a pioneer in the library services industry.

Through vision, action and innovation, EBSCO invests in the library business to ensure the long-term growth of products, services and technologies for our customers.

From research, acquisition management, subscription services and discovery to clinical decision support and patient care, learning, and research and development, EBSCO provides libraries, health care and medical institutions, corporations and government agencies with access to content and resources to serve the information and workflow needs of their users and organizations.

Genre
 
Fiction, nonfiction.
 
Database Talking Ideas
 
Recommendations are categorized not just by genre but by mini-descriptors such as books that are emotionally intense, romantic and engaging, world-building, and angst-filled and witty. Does this help to narrow or broaden a search?
 
Book Description on NoveList Plus database

Reading Level:
Ages 0-8, Ages 9-12, Teen, Adult.
 
Challenge Issue: LGBTQIA book lists including romance and graphic novels.
 
 
Why I Chose this Database

This database is an excellent tool to use for locating the "best of" annual publications and thousands of sub-genre books. The book lists provided also note the popularity level and detailed descriptions for selections.

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