Using our Collection

• Don’t put books back on shelf, use bin or tables
• Check out books downstairs – 16 weeks, up to 50 at a time

Using OneSearch

• Use Advanced Search and enter “CSULB Children’s Collection” in first box
• Use keywords (e.g. bunnies, dinosaurs) or library “subject terms”: (e.g. rabbits)
• Limit Location on the left to:  Picture Books, Oversized, etc.
• Find the LOCATION and CALL NUMBER for your book and find it on the shelf, OR use the request feature to pick up the book from our lockers in the front of the library (5 requests at a time)

• Searching Tips
• We Need Diverse Books
• Banned Books
• Award Winners
• Booklists

We Need Diverse Books! on this guide

Things to think about:

• Why are books challenged: Sex is right at the top of reasons, most often LGBTQ+ themes
  • Recently, more frequently racist (antiracist, antibias themes) in the last year or two
• Are they ok for me, but not for you? for what age? 
• Who decides for me, my kids, someone else's kids?,
• Ways of limiting access without outright removal:
  • by location, availability, (not) purchasing, (not) publishing
• Banned/challenged books frequently shoot to the tops of bestseller lists example Maus
• People who challenge books almost never read the books themselves

What you need: Fiction or Nonfiction for interactive read alouds to teach vocabulary, writing, listening speaking

Types of books/stories:

• Boardbook/Pop-Up or Movable book
• Interactive Story
• Informational book (nonfiction)
• Classic Story or Tale (e.g. Cinderella)
• Silly words and sounds, music or songs, or Poetry (Mother Goose)
• About Familiar Characters, (e.g. TV stars, book series)

Other considerations:

• Positive
• Brief Text (Wordless?)
• Interesting Subject matter
  • Accurate information
• Multiethnic/cultural/feminist antibias We Need Diverse Books!
• Award winner
• Quality illustrations