School Library Journal


The School Library Journal is an American monthly magazine with articles and reviews for school librarians, media specialists, and public librarians who work with young people. Articles cover a wide variety of topics, with a focus on technology, multimedia and other information resources that arouse the interest of young learners. Reviews are included for preschool to 4th grade, grades 5 and up, and teens. Both fiction and non-fiction titles are reviewed, as are graphic novels, multimedia, and digital resources. Also included are reviews of professional reading for librarians and reference books.

History

The School Library Journal was founded in 1954 as Junior Libraries after breaking off from Library Journal. The first issue was published on September 15, 1954. Gertrude Wolff was the first editor.
Early in its history, the periodical published nine issues each year between the months of September and May. Issues were released on the fifteenth of each month. The journal now publishes issues monthly. In 2008, School Library Journal launched Series Made Simple, a twice-annual supplement which features reviews of series nonfiction books. It also releases an annual Best Books list.
In 2006 School Library Journal had a circulation of 38,000 subscribers and over 100,000 readers. Reed International purchased original publisher R.R. Bowker in 1985; they published Library Journal until 2010, when it was sold to Media Source Inc., owner of the Junior Library Guild and The Horn Book Magazine.

Website

The School Library Journal website allows both subscribers and non-subscribers full access to every issue published from 1996 to the present, including the current issue. In addition to these resources, the website has a number of blogs and several e-newsletters including Curriculum Connections, SLJ Teen, and SLJ Extra Helping.