LibraryLiterature/BIP

The last time I attempted to search databases, I felt like I was searching through endless information for nothing in particular, even though I thought for a while about the topic I wanted to cover. This time I am going to try a few more variables in with my search on items about teen literacy and self-esteem, to find out if there was any correlation.

Starting off from scratch with some new search terms (like inclusion of the word “literacy”), I started with Library Literature using “teen literacy” as my beginning point, without any limiters. I only came back with 32 results. Retrieving only 22 results this time, I decided just to check to see if narrowing the search to peer-reviewed article would decrease the number of results, and did it ever. I came back with a single result:

Title: [Teens, Technology, and Literacy]
Personal Author: McClellan, Susan
Journal Name: Public Libraries
Source: Public Libraries v. 47 no. 1 (January/February 2008) p. 88
Publication Year: 2008
Peer Reviewed Journal:
ISSN: 0163-5506
Language of Document: English
Book(s) Reviewed: Title: Teens, technology, and literacy; or, Why bad grammar isn't always bad[2007; Braun, Linda W.; Libra]
Document Type: Book Review
Database: Library & Information Science
Accession Number: 200800101051021
Persistent URL: Click to copy the HTML full text article link
Click to copy the PDF full text article link

The result is not really what I set out to look for; the abstract describes how to use technology that teens are using (like wikis, blogs, etc) to host workshops that utilize the technology in an effort to promote literacy. However, I included the result, because this article actually is EXACTLY something I am interested in. It is better than a result I would have gotten about teen literacy and self-esteem and I think it fits in better with my interests.

This lucky break article can be found at: http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2090/hww/results/external_link_maincontentframe.jhtml?_DARGS=/hww/results/results_common.jhtml.42

Now back to the actual search list about literacy and self-esteem. I decided to modify the search by adding “self-esteem”, which returned no results. I then tried a few variations on the word “self-esteem” and still returned with nil. I went back to my original results list and actually found an interesting article that relates to my topic (a bit).

Title: Life-Changer
Journal Name: Library Journal (1976)
Source: Library Journal (1976) v. 131 no. 5 (March 15 2006 supp) p. 18-19
Publication Year: 2006
Abstract: A profile of Amy Cheney, a project director of Juvenile Hall Library and Literacy Program, Alameda County Library, California, who has been recognized for her work in teen activism by the Library Journal in its 2006 list of "movers and shakers," is provided.
Subject(s): Public libraries/Services to juvenile delinquents; Juvenile delinquents/Reading; Paraprofessionals/California; Alameda County Library (Calif.); Cheney, Amy
Physical Description: Portrait
ISSN: 0363-0277
Language of Document: English
Document Type: Contains biographical material; Feature Article
Database: Education; Library & Information Science
Accession Number: 200635101872020
Persistent URL: Click to copy the HTML full text article link
Click to copy the PDF full text article link


This article gives some insights on how jailed teens can evolve by participating in reading programs at a youth correctional facility in Northern California. By empowering them with the ability to read, process what they have read, access and analyze this information and make it applicable to their life, the program gives teens a chance for survival outside of the criminal world.

The link to the article is here: http://ezproxy.twu.edu:2090/hww/results/external_link_maincontentframe.jhtml?_DARGS=/hww/results/results_common.jhtml.42.

I must admit, Library Lit was easier to use than some of the other databases I have searched through (including the one I chose for my database analysis). It was straight-forward and the results were easy to sift through – I got two great articles for the price of one!

Books in Print, conversely, was a little harder for me to navigate. As a visual learner, I appreciate all the color graphics and extra information, but it made it a bit more difficult to find the place where I would actually do my search. Couple that confusion, with the fact I had to make selections about what information I wanted back initially (books, videos, in print, forthcoming) and my head was already spinning.

Just using the term “teen literacy” brought back 95 results – way more than I can glance through. I added “self-esteem” and received 7 results back, but none of them fit in with the things for which I was looking. I looked through some of the results and found the term “media literacy”, so I used that in conjunction with “teen” and found a pretty great book available for me (see below)!

Title: Start-To-Finish YA Programs: Hip-Hop Symposiums, Summer Reading Programs, Virtual Tours, Poetry Slams, Teen Advisory Boards, Term Paper Clinics, and More!
Author: Ella W. Jones
Publication Date: 2007
Publisher: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Incorporated
Country of Publication: United States
Market: United States
ISBN: 1-55570-601-0
ISBN13: 978-1-55570-601-2
Item Status: Active Record (Readily Available)
Binding Format: Trade Paper
Edition: illustrated
Pages: xiii, 217
Price: $75.00 (USD Retail) (Publisher)
Also Available Through: Alibris ; Baker & Taylor Books; Blackwell; Brodart Company
Current Language: English
Audience: Scholarly & Professional
Bowker Subjects: MEDIA LITERACY
General Subjects (BISAC): SOCIAL SCIENCE / Media Studies
LCCN: 2008-050853
LC Class #: Z718.5.J65 2009
Dewey #: 027.626
Synopsis/Annotation: What teen wouldn't be interested in a poetry slam, hosting a cable TV show, or learning to be a DJ? In Start-to-Finish YA Programs, author Ella Jones gives you the "411" about planning powerful programs for teens. With high school enrollments increasing by 13%, the role of both school and public libraries is growing too. The author provides 25 successful teen programs from public libraries based on the Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets for Teens. If you're looking for engaging, high-impact teen programming breakthroughs, buy this book and give some of these concepts a try: - Brown-Bag Concerts- Library Teen Cable Show- Commitment to Fitness- Dance 360- Oral History Video Projects- Hip-Hop Symposium- Youth Gospel Fest- And moreThe companion CD-ROM provides all of the sign-up forms, promotional posters, evaluation worksheets, permission slips, and more for easy reproduction and personalization.

Although this was not exactly what I was searching for, I think this book is right up the alley of a person like me, interested in investigating innovative programming aimed at teens. So, in the end, BIP is difficult to maneuver though, but can provide you with some fantastic resources!