Increasingly libraries are expanding their collections beyond physical books. Finding reliable reviews for books, audiobooks, movies and TV series, video games, CDs/records, and objects for a Library of Things is made easier with the Michigan eLibrary (MeL).
Traditional resources librarians use to help with collection development are included in Library & Information Science Source. Publications such as Booklist, Library Journal, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, Kirkus Reviews (USA), and The Horn Book Magazine are staples of book and media selection that are available to all Michigan libraries as part of MeL. They also include articles that help library workers keep up with professional trends and focus their advocacy efforts.
Other publications that recommend books in regular columns include "From the Field "in Flower Magazine and "The Books List" in Real Simple. Book suggestions along with reviews of movies, television series, and streaming media, can also be found weekly in “Picks” from People. The books mentioned in these publications often follow a theme and are forthcoming titles.
Many libraries curate video game collections for both youth and adults. PC Gamer (US Edition) and Edge provide video game reviews that can help decide which games to purchase and understand which gaming systems are compatible with various games. Articles in these publications might also spark programming ideas.
Billboard and Rolling Stone can help with selecting music for library collections. Billboard includes charts such as Hot 100, Hot 100 First-Timers, Hot 200, Artist 100, Hot Country Songs, and Tropical Albums. There are also articles such as "One to Watch" which profiles an up-and-coming artist. Rolling Stone has recently begun to include a monthly column titled “Staff Picks: Five Recent Albums We Can’t Get Enough Of” in addition to its articles about musicians, artists, and pop culture content such as movie and television reviews.
Many libraries have expanded their collections to include a Library of Things. Finding the most durable and user-friendly versions of air fryers and other countertop appliances, laptops, cordless drills and other useful things that library collections can share is easy with extensive reviews in Consumer Reports. Patrons will also love using this publication to make decisions about major purchases such as appliances and vehicles.
No matter how your library chooses to expand its collection, publications in the MeL eResources can help you find popular, on-trend, and quality books, music, movies, and items for a Library of Things that patrons will be sure to enjoy.
If you have any MeL eResources questions or issues, contact melerhelp@mcls.org for help.
Brought to you by Laura Warren-Gross from the MeL Team.
Supporting Michigan Libraries by Putting You First.
Want more information on MeL?  Stay tuned for the next MeL Minute available on many Michigan library listservs, visit http://mel.org, or sign up for the MeL Minute and other Library of Michigan e-mail lists via GovDelivery. We encourage you to share MeL Minutes with your colleagues and networks.
MeL eResources are available to Michigan residents or for Michigan library or school access only.
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services through the Library of Michigan.
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