Web site created for parents

To assist parents in distinguishing Harry Potter from Dr. Seuss, the School of Library and Information Sciences created www.school-library.org.

The site offers book, audio, video and software reviews for elementary and secondary school librarians, parents and children. The site was created to offer school librarians assistance in finding reviews written by local area professionals when considering which children's books to purchase.

The web site also offers a special section for children to add their opinions to a database and to see what their peers are thinking about various children's books.

For the discerning parent, the entire site is a quick reference that can assist in separating the cute from the controversial by letting them see responses of both librarians and children throughout the state.

This is a service offered by the university allowing anyone to type in a subject or a title and get a list of professional reviews as well as children's reviews, explains Barbara Stein, professor of library and information sciences.

The professional reviews are written by librarians and teachers who have obtained or are obtaining their master's degrees in library and information sciences through UNT's web based courses.

Books are ranked from "highly recommended" to "recommended with reservation" to provide a list of reliable critiques as well as explanations of the content.

"There are many books parents have problems with and this provides a way to either ease their concerns or support them," Stein says.

For more information, call Stein at (940) 565-3569.

Other featured articles in this issue

• Fire damages Speech/Drama Building
• Athletic director resigns
• Students approve referendum to build new recreation center
• Weather closing information
• Presentation gives insights into NSF
• Awards presented at sack lunch
• Fast food is becoming the family cook despite shortcomings
• TAMS students advance in science competition
• Answerline

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