Book Selection Research Articles

Selección y valoración de LIJ para bibliotecas de aula: comparativa entre España, Ecuador y Colombia / Selection and appraisal of LIJ for the library of the class: comparison between Spain, Ecuador and Colombia

The aim of this study comparison is the clarification of the kind of youth and children’s literature in order to create a class library, selected by Spaniards, Colombians and Ecuadorians teachers. Minor differences were observed trough data collection and analysis of one of the activities –“Selection and evaluation of a small library”- of the subject “Didáctica de la Lectura” of UNIR’s MFA in “Didáctica de la Lengua en Educación Infantil y Primaria”, answered by current teachers of Spain, Colombia and Ecuador. Nevertheless, a few particularities are detectable in the selection of certain books, as well as in the reasons to exclude other titles. Putting all the data together, is possible to conclude that the selection of the works is not always guided by rigorous criteria, instead the tradition and the personal experience -which is mutable from class to class- seem to be the leading motivations.

“This is my hill to die on”: effects of far-right conservative pushback on US English teachers and their classroom practice

PurposeFrom book challenges to anti–critical race theory and anti-lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning legislation, US English teachers have been on the receiving end of a considerable amount of far-right conservative pushback. This study aims to explore the effects of conservative pushback on individual English teachers and their classroom practice. What pushbacks have individual English teachers faced? How has pushback impacted their teaching? What strategies have they developed for navigating pushback?Design/methodology/approachThis qualitative study explores secondary English teachers’ reported experiences with conservative backlash as reported in 15 semi-structured interviews conducted between May 2022 and August 2023.FindingsParticipants reported feeling the pressure of increased levels of pushback, and many reported censoring their book selections to avoid additional public scrutiny. At the same time, they also described a range of strategies they have developed for protecting themselves and their practice, such as codifying curriculum, increasing transparency, formalizing review processes for challenging books and strengthening their resolve to resist.Originality/valueThis study offers a timely window on a pressing problem affecting the daily practice of English teachers in the USA.

Genrefication in Secondary School Libraries

Most school libraries organize fiction books alphabetically by an author’s last name. In order for a student to find and compare potential fiction reading material, the traditional school library model would have the student either search the library system for the topic and then go from stack to stack looking for books about the topic from any number of locations or seek advice from school library staff who would direct the student to potential titles as part of a reader’s advisory. In an effort to make fiction book selection easier for students, some school librarians have turned to genrefied fiction collections. However, there are many school librarians who feel that organizing fiction books by genre first rather than author’s last name creates more problems than it solves. This paper will explore the history behind genrefication, discuss the Paradox of Choice and patron browsing habits, and present the modern debate regarding genrefication of fiction books in school libraries.

Arc entropy of uncertain random variables and its applications

Due to the complexity of the real world, randomness and uncertainty are ubiquitous and interconnected in the real world. In order to measure the research objects that contain both randomness and uncertainty in practical problems, and extend the entropy theory of uncertain random variables, this paper introduces the arc entropy of uncertain random variables and the arc entropy of their functions. On this basis, the mathematical properties of arc entropy and two key formulas for calculating arc entropy are also studied and derived. Finally, two types of the mean variance entropy model with the risk and diversification are established, and the corresponding applications to rare book selection for the rare book market are also introduced.

An automatic college library book recommendation system using optimized Hidden Markov based weighted fuzzy ranking model

An automated book recommendation system has becoming a necessary role in increasing the efficacy and user experience of college library. The number of books in the library is very large, and it is difficult for students to choose the appropriate book from each department efficiently. The manual selection of books is time-consuming, and an automatic library book recommendation system is highly required. Therefore, this research proposes a novel ranking-based hybrid recommendation system for assisting each student in different department to select required books with minimal time. Initially, pre-processing is done to label each department name, which can effectively reduce the time complexity. Then, weighting is provided for each book using a timestamp based on the days the book was issued between the date of issue and return. After, Pearson correlation coefficient (PCC) is computed to find the similarity between the department and the corresponding books. Finally, the Hidden Markov-assisted Chaotic Artificial Humming Bird with Discriminant Analysis and weighted fuzzy ranking (HMCAHB_DA-WFR) model is proposed to classify the books according to the department accurately based on the generated ranks and provides better recommendation to the students. The proposed method is implemented in PYTHON software, and a real-time dataset is utilized from Bhilai Institute of Technology, Durg. The proposed method obtains a better accuracy of 99.2%, Kappa of 97.6%, MAE of 0.074, NMCC of 98.7%, FPR of 0.0085% and FNR of 0.034%. The attained simulation results prove the efficiency of proposed method over other existing methods.

Selection of Books Released in 2023

Selection of Books Released in 2023

Selection of Books Released in 2023

Selection of Books Released in 2023

The KAGEDU : Its History, Structure, and Domestic and International Academic Exchange Activities

This paper first examines the history and development of the Korean Association of General Education (hereafter KAGEDU, 2006), which represents the Korean liberal/general education community, in the context of its close relationship with the Korean Council for University General Education (hereafter KCUGE, 2001) and the Korea National Institute for General Education (hereafter KONIGE, 2011). It then examines in detail the number and characteristics of the KAGEDU's members as well as its constituent organizations, operating principles, and the interrelationships among them. Next, this paper finds that the KAGEDU’s <i>The Korean Journal of General Education</i> (hereafter KJrGE, 2007), a first-class academic journal recognized by the NRF (National Research Foundation) of Korea, is a unique national academic journal in Korea that encompasses all aspects of liberal/general education. It is an outstanding leader in terms of publication frequency, number of published articles, and influence index, dominating its field. As a result, the Journal serves as the best public platform for liberal/general education in Korea. This paper also deals with the main features of the KAGEDU's domestic academic activities (Spring and Fall National Conferences, LACs, Seminar 21, Publication of ‘Collected Works of Liberal Education Classics,’ and Selection of Excellent Books) and its activities for international academic exchange (holding international forums and conferences, Blue Waves Lectures, and Libeducols). In particular, it explains that the KAGEDU initiated the establishment of the Asian Liberal Education Network (ALEN) and the holding of the first Asian Liberal Education Conference (ALEC) in late 2023. According to this paper, the two academic events symbolize a very significant outcome of the joint Asian international academic exchange efforts that the KAGEDU, as the hub for liberal education in East Asia, has been leading since 2018. Finally, this article examines the challenges facing the KAGEDU in terms of the ambivalent effects of its relationship with the KCUGE and the KONIGE, its financial independence, modernization of its administration, its under-researched areas, and its need to nurture the next younger generation of scholars. Then, it proposes measures to promote international academic exchange including the establishment of a common Asian liberal education university/college.

Upaya Penguatan Literasi Anak Usia Dini melalui GERDASI

This activity aimed to strengthen the literacy movement in early childhood through the habit of reading aloud at school and home. Gerdasi was a series of literacy-strengthening programs implemented at Kindergarten/RA Al Hidayah in the form of reading aloud at school and socializing the selection of children's books for parents. Gerdasi was held in April-June 2023 and attended by all children and parents/guardians of Kindergarten/RA Al Hidayah. The stages of implementing the community service activities included: 1) laying the foundation; 2) research design; 3) data gathering and analysis; and 4) acting on findings. Based on observations during reading-aloud activities, the data showed that more than 90% of children liked reading-aloud activities and enjoyed every discussion process. However, children's interest in books is not facilitated well at home. These findings became the basis for carrying out follow-up efforts in the form of socializing the selection of children's books with parents/guardians as the target. This socialization explained important points about literacy facts, choosing good children's books, as well as alternatives for choosing e-books. It was hoped that parents' knowledge regarding sites that provide e-books for children's storybooks could be an inspiration for parents to provide children with affordable reading materials.

FOSTERING AN INTEREST IN READING AND THE CREATIVITY OF ORPHANAGE CHILDREN THROUGH STORYTELLING AND THE LIBRARY CORNER

Creativity should be developed as early as possible since the child is born. The world of children and teenager is a world of creativity, where they need space to move, think and be emotionally guided. One way to foster creativity is through reading activities. In comparison to other nations, Indonesians continue to have extremely little interest in reading. According to UNESCO data, Indonesia has the second-lowest rate of literacy in the entire globe. In terms of reading interest, Indonesia comes in at number 60 out of 61 nations. The public's lack of interest in reading should motivate the pertinent parties to facilitate and investigate what the reason of this is as soon as feasible. The provision of children's libraries is one way to promote creativity and reading interest among the younger population, especially children. On August 6, 2023, this community development activity was carried out to give the kids at the Hafidhin Royan Orphanage in South Jakarta City access to a little library called "Pojok Pustaka." By putting reading bookshelves in places where kids may easily access them, the service activity has been successfully carried out. When asked about their reactions, the orphanage residents' comments revealed that they were quite excited and glad to read the many picture books offered by Pojok Pustaka. The selection of books in the Pojok Pustaka will continue to be gradually expanded in an effort to prevent boredom, ensuring that kids who visit the Pojok Pustaka to read always have new books to choose from.

Culturally Sustaining Writer’s Workshop for Beginners

This article presents the implementation of a writer’s workshop as a culturally sustaining practice, allowing students to exercise agency in their learning and writing. The workshop follows a structured flow of read-alouds, modeling, an invitation to write, and sharing. Teachers choose specific writing skills or crafts to teach, incorporating culturally relevant literature that exemplifies those skills. Students are encouraged to write in their own languages and explore diverse story structures while learning dominant forms of writing. The article emphasizes the importance of linguistic diversity and challenges the notion that only dominant English should be taught. Step-by-step guidance is provided to start a writer’s workshop, including book selection, modeling, and supporting students’ individual stories. The writer’s workshop aims to position students as active subjects in the instructional process, allowing them to express themselves while developing conventional writing skills. The article encourages teachers to begin with the suggested lessons and adapt them to meet the needs of their students to create a culturally sustaining classroom.

Book selection behaviors of emergent readers

Using an observational comparative case study, this study explored emergent readers’ book selection behaviors within their classrooms. Emergent literacy skills are the forefront of literacy development (Clay, 1982; Ferriero & Teborsky, 1982; Teale, 1986; McNaughton, 1993; Chall, 1996; Neuman, 2000), yet reading motivation and engagement has largely focused on older students (Wigfield & Guthrie, 1997; Gambrell et al. 2011; Marinak, 2013), and emergent readers’ motivation and book choice research has relied upon surveys (Saracho, 1986; Sperling, et al., 2013). This study of two pre-kindergarten and two kindergarten classrooms, along with their classroom teachers, utilized observations to examine emergent reader motivation and choice (Bronfenbrenner, 1979, 2005; Bronfenbrenner & Morris, 2006; Clay, 1982, 1991, 2001; Rosenblatt, 1978, 1995). The observational data were analyzed for vertical and horizontal case analysis and findings suggest that emergent and early readers’ text selection behaviors rely on cover illustrations and familiarity with the text.

The Deconstruction and Reconstruction of Labels: A Case Study of Librairie Avant-Garde

From the standpoint of label deconstruction and reconstruction, this research seeks to discover how the independent bookshop Librairie Avant-Garde not only survives but also thrives in this era, whilst other shops are dying slowly. It adopts interview, observation, and comparison to figure out its operation strategies and tactics. The deconstruction of old bookstore labels comprises book selection, respect for individuality, and the development of its branch culture, whereas the construction of new labels includes book classification, self-positioning, and the coordination of cultural activities. Librairie Avant-Garde can adapt to changes in this fast-paced world by employing these methods. Other bookshops can learn from them and gradually develop the best approach to thrive on their own.

A teacher's choice: Preschool teachers’ selection and use of picture books for mathematics instruction

Preschool teachers’ selection and use of instructional materials play an important role in their provision of qualitative mathematics instruction. Picture books were recently shown effective for supporting early mathematical competencies. Picture book features further contributed to their effectiveness. The current study aimed to investigate teachers’ selection and use of picture books for mathematics instruction with special attention for their evaluation of picture book features. We also analyzed the contribution of teachers’ beliefs and children's age to teachers’ picture book selection and use. Sixty-six preschool teachers participated in an online interview about (a) their picture book use for (mathematics) instruction and (b) the domain-specific (i.e., numeracy) and general features they rate important when selecting a picture book for mathematics instruction. Teachers also filled in a questionnaire regarding their beliefs about mathematics and learning and teaching mathematics. Results showed that more than 90 % of the teachers used picture books for mathematics instruction. About 40 % used them at least once and maximum four times a week and 6 % used them on a daily basis. When selecting picture books for mathematics instruction, teachers rated general features more important than domain-specific features and features related to basic mathematical content more important than features related to complex mathematical content. Teachers’ instruction and scheme and formalism beliefs contributed to their preference for Arabic numerals and comparisons between quantities. Children's age was positively related to teachers’ preference for complex mathematical content. The limited focus on mathematical content when selecting and using picture books points to the importance of teacher professional development on the selection and use of picture books for enhancing early mathematical competencies.

Undergraduate students’ reading preference in the extensive reading program: Diary method

Although the Extensive Reading (ER) program has multiple benefits for language learners, the long nature of this program can make it daunting, especially for those with limited book selection. Thus, ensuring a book collection that fits the learners’ preferences is crucial, not only to maintain their reading enjoyment during the program but also to save costs. This research then investigated learners' reading preferences during an ER program, particularly by looking at the reading genres that were frequently chosen by the learners. This research was conducted on 30 university students who took English as a mandatory course. The course used ER as part of the curriculum. This research recorded the learners’ reading preferences through a reading log. This log must be filled in after reading a book or text. Overall, the research generated 373 entries. The results of this research indicated participants’ high interest in books with the themes of drama (slice of life), tales, and comedy. The current research also discovered a preference difference between gender. In conclusion, this research believes ER practitioners must consider learners’ preferences to provide suitable book collections for students. Thus, the learners can read more comfortably and maintain their motivation.

Teaching for Social Justice: A Teacher Researcher's Journey and Evolution

AbstractThis article (a) explores the experience of an early childhood teacher researcher as she intentionally uses interactive read‐alouds to promote social justice and to encourage critical consciousness in her preschool classroom and (b) offers guidance for educators to embark on their own social justice journey. Over the course of a 2‐year study, the teacher engaged the children with 12 books. Findings describe the personal and professional evolution of the teacher researcher as social justice became her “way of being.” As she studied and reflected on issues of oppression and equity, and considered her own classroom read‐alouds, she shifted her approach from centering social–emotional learning to social justice. This shift was marked by changes in book selection and presentation and by two key turning points. Findings also detail the roles the teacher adopted as she explored books with her students and illustrate how these roles supported and prompted social justice. Self‐reflection points and steps are included to support educators in teaching for social justice.

An Analysis of the Book Selection Behavior of Adolescent Members of Public Libraries in Iran

An Analysis of the Book Selection Behavior of Adolescent Members of Public Libraries in Iran

‘한 학기 한 권 읽기’ 연구 동향과 시사점

The aim of this paper is to analyze the quantitative trends of research on the “Reading One Book in a Semester” and to examine the various aspects of these studies based on it. Accordingly, various perspectives of research on curriculum and extracurricular programs related to the “Reading One Book in a Semester” implemented in elementary, middle, and high schools after the revised 2015 curriculum were examined, categorized into studies on text analysis, teaching method, surveys and experiments, and general research. In particular, studies on teaching method was closely examined by further categorizing it based on the format of classes, instructional goals and methods, and selection of books.

Presenting Norwegian Literature in Czechoslovakia: Norwegian Literature in Czech Translations 1945–1968

Translations contribute to spreading but also shaping of cultural memory. While the choice of titles which get to be translated is contingent on many factors which the publishers take into consideration, decision-making in totalitarian countries is fettered. In communist Czechoslovakia, the final selection of books, and therefore memories, had to meet yet another criterion which deformed the natural literary development – censorship. The article focuses on Norwegian literature which was introduced into Czech between 1945 and 1968. Norwegian literature had already had a strong position on the Czechoslovak literary market since the end of the 19th century and in the first half of the 20th century thanks to several publishing houses, translators, and the introduction of the Nobel Prize in literature. This tradition was first interrupted by the WWII and shortly after again by the communist coup in 1948. Although the restrictions began loosening later, the Soviet intervention in 1968 installed the restrictions again.The object is to present and examine the image of Norwegian literature in Czech literary memory as it was shaped by the cultural policies of totalitarian Czechoslovakia; and to show and explain which type of literature could enter Czech bookshops and libraries. The focus often shifted to a specific literary genre, republishing the earlier works of the Norwegian canon, or works by authors whose work was translated into Czech although they were marginalized in Norway and did not make it into the Norwegian national canon. An important part of such a perception is not only remembering but also forgetting. The article therefore also maps the active suppressing of memories by black-listing particular authors or works.Lastly, the article is also concerned with peritexts of translation, namely introductions and afterwords, as these often contributed to mediation of the transfer.

Bio‐inspired Protein‐Based and Activatable Adhesion Systems

AbstractAdhesives are in general chemically or physically sticky substances used to join surfaces. In case of gluing biological and living substrates, there is a need for bioadhesives that meet requirements such as biocompatibility, non‐toxicity, and degradability. Inspiration for bioadhesives is found in nature, where distinct mussels, sandcastle worms, barnacles, caddisfly larvae, spiders, and glowworms amongst others, use mainly protein‐based glues for various purposes. There is a great selection of reviews and books covering the use of various bioadhesives in various applications, but here the focus lies on advances in the development of bio‐inspired protein‐based adhesives for biomedical applications.