When I typed out the title for today’s blog I couldn’t help but finish singing one of my favorite childhood Beatles songs:

“When I was younger, so much younger than today

I never needed anybody’s help in any way.

But now those days are going and I’m not so self assured.

Now I find I’ve changed my mind…I’ve opened up the doors.”

Isn’t that how we all feel sometimes when we’re either standing in a superstore trying to choose from fifty types of jelly or puzzling over strange band names trying to remember if it was Panic at the Disco or Plain White Ts? But now, who should come through that “door” to help? Your librarian!

Though I originally started humming the tune when I typed in the “Help!” title, I had to laugh out loud as I continued singing and realized the lyrics suited my situation quite nicely. Collection development (the library’s fancy term for selecting what to put on our shelves) is a challenge for me and I’ve got plenty of resources at my fingertips to help guide my decisions. What about parents? Or students?

Here are two useful websites that you may want to add to your bookmarks:

The Center for Children’s Books
We are so fortunate to have this wonderful resource right here at the University of Illinois. The staff read and review new books as they are published (from literally thousands) and provide free access to many of their recommendations right at their website. They even put out a guidebook for gifts each year. Visit:

http://bccb.lis.uiuc.edu/

Common Sense Media
Then, I got this resource from the Champaign Public Library (and Ms. Olion–my inspiration for today’s post). Common Sense Media is a site that has reviews and recommends all types of media including music, movies, video games, and books. The site is easy to navigate and provides some guidance when faced with a virtual sea of choices. Visit:

http://www.commonsensemedia.org/