Preview Book Procedures Using the Google Spreadsheet

 Preview books are sent by various publishers for librarians to evaluate. It is expected that the reviews generated by librarians be shared across the district. To this purpose, we have created an Excel Spreadsheet (on the Google website) that can be shared by all librarians who participate in the review process.

How it works:

•    Publishers send books to Library Services. The books are cataloged by the Processing Center.  Cataloging consists of created a MARC record for each book, creating a spine label, and laminating the book jacket. The MARC record is saved into a preview book database and the book is placed on the Preview shelf in the auditorium.

•   Librarians may select 25 titles at a time. Any librarian may participate. Select books located on the preview books shelf. Fill out a form listing the titles selected for preview. Your e-mail address will be added to a Google spreadsheet so you will have access to post reviews. After posting all of your reviews request a file with the MARC records for the books that you evaluated.

----- Posting reviews to Google Spreadsheets and Documents ----

1. After you pick up your books, you will receive an invitation which will contain a link to the Google spreadsheet site to get started posting your reviews. Log in to your Google account, then click on the link for Google documents.. You will see the spreadsheet, scroll down to the end and start creating your review. Bookmark this link so that you can return to it easily and post more reviews.

2. Create your own worksheet and name the sheet with your last name. Only post reviews to “your” page. Click on the plus sign. Right click on the blank sheet. Choose rename. Type in your last name. Copy the Top Row containing the column headings from another worksheet and paste it onto the first row.

3. Please follow these guidelines when creating your review:

Column A – author – last name, First initial

Column B- Title

Column C- Classification – FIC, NF or Dewey #, SPA, or E or a combination of these designations like SPA FIC

Column D- Publisher

Column E – Brief summary – 1-2 sentences

Column F Reviewer – last name only

Column G – School

Column H – Rating – Excellent; Good; Fair or Unacceptable *

*If you rate a book as unacceptable, please explain your rating in the Brief summary/review section. For example, you might say that a book was poorly written or inaccurate.

he books on the preview shelf are K-12. Look at the books carefully before selecting them. Make sure that the books are age appropriate for your school. You can return books unreviewed if the book/s are unacceptable for your level.