New Books are Ordered Throughout the Year!

Ordering books for kids and teens is a constant responsibility of the Youth Services Librarian. Have you ever wondered how new books get ready to be checked out?  The first step is to decide which new books to order.  The budget for children's and teen books is funded through the Fort Smith Public Library Endowment Trust, and there are many, many more books available to buy than what the budget allows. Some new books are an immediate “Yes!”  For example, the latest Dog Man book or the newest Diary of a Wimpy Kid books are books we always order.  For other books, it’s a more involved process.

Read! Read! Read!

The library subscribes to several book review journals. Booklist, Horn Book, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and Bookpage all have information on what’s new for kids and teens. The book reviews help the librarian decide if a book would be a good addition to the Youth Services collection.  The Youth Services staff and branch managers also suggest titles for review.  Library customers may also suggest a book, either in person or by filling out the form on our website.

What Happens Next?

Once a book meets the library criteria, the Business Manager orders the book.  When it arrives, the Business Manager pays the bill and sends the book to the Technical Services Department.  They make sure the book is on our library catalog, has a barcode and all the other things it needs for you to find it on the shelf.  When the book is ready, it goes to its’ proper location.  Sometimes four copies of a title are ordered for all four library locations.  Sometimes only one copy is ordered for the Main Library.  If the book isn't at the library you use the most, just ask to have it sent over to you.  You can check out and return books at all four library locations.

When a new book arrives in Youth Services, we make sure the book has the correct shelf location, and we put labels on the books that need them.  Did you know that juvenile fiction books are found in many places?  We have picture books, beginning readers, early chapter books, chapter books, holiday books, Newbery Award books, and Caldecott Award books!  Non-fiction books might be in the regular or early non-fiction sections.  It sounds complicated, but it’s pretty easy to find what you want once you know how. You can look for books using the library's catalog, from home or at the library.  If you ever have trouble finding a book, just ask us.  We love to help! 

Ready to Check Out?

Now the new book is ready to check out!  Which one will YOU choose?