Peer Reviewed Guidelines at JLG
Reviews can be left on individual product pages of books.
Junior Library Guild Peer Reviewed Titles is a tool to help librarians with collection development. Librarians, media specialists, educators, and others who are affiliated with libraries and schools who are current JLG Members may submit reviews of JLG titles that they have read. The quality of Junior Library Guild Peer Reviewed Titles ultimately depends on the reviewer’s expertise, intellectual integrity, and professional commitment.
JLG titles span a wide range of genres, subject areas, and age ranges. Reviewing titles for JLG provides librarians with constructive feedback and helpful insight into the titles they put on their shelves. Reviews may be used for JLG/MSI marketing purposes. They will NOT be resold.
Our reviews are designed to present information needed for selection decisions. Within the allotted 100-300 words, a review should include an evaluation that includes a discussion of the title’s quality, effectiveness, clarity, and other important elements. Please keep in mind that our authors and illustrators care deeply about their work.
When reviewing JLG titles, please include…
- A statement of the content or plot
- A critical appraisal of the literary and/or artistic quality
- An analysis of the clarity and organization of information
- The recommended grade level
Discrimination of any kind and personal attacks will NOT be tolerated. Spoilers and promotional content including links are prohibited. You may NOT be personally affiliated with the titles you review. Avoid conflicts of interest. Please limit your review to 1 per book.
Please note, you will NOT be compensated by JLG in any way for your review.
Libraries are working with limited funds, so often a pertinent feature in a review will be an evaluative comparison of the new title with titles already held in most collections. Please be sure that the citations include exact titles, publisher, and year of publication.
In addition, we ask for special attention to accuracy in the reviews: quoted passages should be checked against the text (with page numbers included.) An assertion that a book is filled with errors should be supported with examples.
While it is our policy to edit as little as possible, reviews are often reorganized, condensed, or clarified when necessary, and minor changes are made in accordance with house style, but the reviewers’ stated opinions will be preserved. JLG will moderate/approve all posts. We attempt to do so in 48 hours.
Our service to library communities would not be possible without the generosity of librarian peer reviewers.
Thank you.
