Booklist
Booklist is a publication of the American Library Association that provides critical reviews of books and audiovisual materials for all ages. "Booklist"s primary audience consists of libraries, educators, and booksellers. The magazine is available to subscribers in print and online. "Booklist" is published 22 times per year, and reviews over 7,500 titles annually. The "Booklist" brand also offers a blog, various newsletters, and monthly webinars. The "Booklist" offices are located in the American Library Association headquarters in Chicago’s Gold Coast neighborhood. History. "Booklist", as an introduction from the American Library Association publishing board notes, began publication in January  1905 to "meet an evident need by issuing a current buying list of recent books with brief notes designed to assist librarians in selection." With an annual subscription fee of 50 cents, "Booklist" was initially subsidized by a $100,000 grant from the Carnegie Foundation, known for its public and university library endowments, and at first mainly contained the briefest 25- to 50-word summaries. In 1913, the "Booklist" offices were moved from Boston to the ALA headquarters in Chicago's McCormick mansion. By the 1930s the reviews had become more in-depth, and the journal began to include some  articles. In October 1939, just a few weeks after the start of World War II, "Booklist" published an article entitled "Books for the 'Long and Calm View': On the Crisis, Its Background and Implications to the United States", intended to address "the demand for impartial books without the emotionalism of propaganda." Amidst a world crisis, the editor helped library patrons to have their questions answered while presenting various viewpoints. From the 1950s to the 1960s, "Booklist" reviews were limited to 150 words, generally three long sentences. Reviews were handwritten in pencil on yellow legal paper, edited and typed up for  the printer. Artistic design choices for the magazine were minimal, with the only visual change between issues being the plain cover's solid colour. The 1970s saw a great deal of change in the "Booklist" offices. As adolescent literature gained popularity, a Young Adult books editor was hired. The publication of such books as Judy Blume’s "Forever", Phyllis Reynolds Naylor's Alice series, and S.E. Hinton's "The Outsiders" marked a need to evaluate books not meant strictly for either children or adults. In 1973, new editor-publisher Paul Brawley was the first to print editions of the magazine  with recreated book jackets on the cover. Some "Booklist" subscribers protested the flashy new covers, supposedly claiming they liked the plain covers and the space they afforded for listing potential book orders. Under Brawley’s editorship, beginning with 16mm film strips and spoken-word recordings, "Booklist" began to accept submissions and print reviews of audiovisual products. During the 1980s and 1990s, "Booklist" began its Editors’ Choice reviews and its first feature column, “Manley Arts”, by Will Manley. The 1990s issues of "Booklist" were the first to be composed on in-office computers. The June 2005 issue of "Booklist" marked  the magazine’s 100th anniversary. To celebrate the centennial, the acting editors published a feature article entitled “The Booklist Century”, wherein they chose a book from each year of the preceding hundred to highlight its social impact — ranging from Edith Wharton's "The House of Mirth" (1905) to the "9/11 Commission Report". Currently, the magazine can be found online and in print. The "Booklist" editorial team also creates supplemental products, such as "Book Links", webinars and the "Booklist Reader". Booklist offices are located in the 50 E. Huron building at the ALA headquarters. Reviews and reviewers. "Booklist" Reviews "Booklist" reviews  are said to be "the haiku of book reviewing." Reviews include a brief synopsis, plus mention of the most successful elements of style. Most reviews fall between 175 and 225 words. Starred Reviews The "Booklist" star indicates an outstanding title of a particular genre. All starred reviews are approved by the appropriate editor. High-Demand "Booklist" recognizes that libraries wish to purchase new materials as soon as they become available, and therefore works to review titles as early as possible. The “High-Demand Backstory” symbol indicates titles likely to be surrounded by media coverage and patron popularity. Adult Books with  YA Appeal As an additional source for librarians, "Booklist" reviews certain adult titles and labels them for YA appeal. These materials tend to have young protagonists or themes relevant to teenage readers. Recommendation-only system Since its founding in 1905, "Booklist" has followed a recommendation-only system. This means that every title reviewed would make a quality addition to library collections. "Booklist" Selection Policy The editors of "Booklist" magazine adhere to a selection policy consistent with the Library Bill of Rights. The process of choosing titles for reviews aims to promote readership, never censorship. "Booklist" Reviewers Titles are reviewed by  a corps of librarians, freelancers, journalists, and educators, as well as "Booklist" editors and staff. Other products. Website "Booklist Online" is the website and archive of the "Booklist" print magazine. Within the database, subscribers have access to digital editions of the print magazine, an archive of over 170,000 reviews, and a host of feature content. Non-subscribers can read a Review of the Day and sign up for free monthly webinars. "Booklist Online" was developed in 2005, concurrent with the magazine’s centennial, and launched in early 2006. Blog Launched in September 2014, "The Booklist Reader" is updated daily with  feature content for both librarians and recreational readers. Articles often link to reviews found on "Booklist Online". Book Links A quarterly supplement to "Booklist" that is free to "Booklist" subscribers, "Book Links" magazine helps educators and youth librarians design topical literature-based curriculum. "Book Links" provides thematic bibliographies with related discussion questions and activities, author and illustrator interviews and essays, and articles written by educators on practical ways to turn children on to reading. Each issue includes specific suggestions for tying Common Core State Standards to books featured in the publication. Published in September, November, January, and April, each Book  Links issue focuses on a different core curriculum area, including social studies, multicultural literature, language arts, and science. Book Links articles from October 2009 onward are available to "Booklist" subscribers on "Booklist Online". Webinars "Booklist" hosts 3-5 webinars per month with varying subject matter. Booklist webinars address such topics as curriculum design, how to increase reading rates, seasonal features, and publishing previews sponsored by various publishing houses and imprints. Anyone can sign up for a "Booklist" webinar, regardless of whether or not they subscribe to the publication. Newsletters "Booklist" publishes a variety of monthly, bimonthly and quarterly newsletters, all  of which are delivered in electronic form via e-mail. Sponsored awards. The American Library Association sponsors and juries many annual literary awards, such as the Newbery Medal, the Caldecott Medal, and the Alex Award. "Booklist" itself sponsors three main awards: the Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature, the Andrew Carnegie Medals for Excellence in Fiction and Nonfiction, and the Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production. The Printz Award is administered by the Young Adult Library Services Association. The Carnegie Medals are administered by an annually appointed selection committee, including a chair, three Booklist editors  or contributors, and three former members of the RUSA CODES Notable Books Council. The Odyssey Award is jointly administered by the Association for Library Service to Children and the Young Adult Library Services Association. Additionally, "Booklist" selects Editors’ Choice lists for adult books, young adult books, books for youth, adult audiobooks, and audiobooks for youth. The best title in each category is selected to a list known as Top of The List. Editors' Choice and Top of the List titles are announced in December and printed in the subsequent January 1 & 15 double issue of "Booklist".