teacher showing kids a book
Teacher Resource Page
Welcome to the Teacher Resource Page at the Tempe Public Library. 
To better serve the educational community, 
the Youth Library offers the following resources and services to teachers and students.

Description of the Collection and Services

The following resources and services are available to educators and students in the Youth Library, an area that focuses on young people up through 8th grade.

Teacher Resource Center:  This continually growing reference collection is aimed at educators’ curricular and classroom needs, with a special emphasis on literature-based resources.

Student Reference:  In this area, find encyclopedias, almanacs, atlases, dictionaries, and other titles designed to aid students with their informational needs. There are thirteen computers designated for those 14 years old and younger; available on these computers—encyclopedias, tutorials, periodical and newspaper indexes, information about countries, internet access, and more.

Multimedia Collection:  Audiocassettes for various ages are available for fun reading/listening; tapes on math, languages, and phonics are included in this collection. Educational videos are available for 7-day checkout.  A collection of CDs, mostly music, but also including fiction, non-fiction, and Spanish, is available for 7-day checkout. 

Special Collections:  Books are available in a variety of languages other than English. Braille books and magazines are available in fiction and nonfiction.

Bibliographies:  Suggested reading lists are available at the Youth Reference Desk and on the Web for grades K-8; titles are added from "best book" lists, award winners, popular demand, and librarians’ favorites. Among the many bibliographies for grades 3-8—adventure, fantasy, historical fiction, multicultural, mystery, and science fiction.

Tours:

  • Preschoolers-Middle School: 350-5522
  • High School-Adult: 350-5511
  • A two-week notice is requested for all tours.

School Visits:  Librarians will booktalk at schools in the city of Tempe; please allow time for advance notice.

Student Assignment Forms:  Two forms are available to students on request at the Youth Reference Desk. One states that the student has been in the library and worked on his/her assignment. The second acts as a voucher that the student has attempted to locate, but was unable to find, appropriate materials. Both forms will be signed by a librarian or stamped with the Tempe Public Library stamp.

Assignment Alert:  To give us advance notice of students’ informational needs, teachers and librarians are encouraged to obtain copies of our Assignment Alert form at the Youth Reference Desk.

Internet Access:  Terminals are available in Reference and the Computer Access Center for adults; the computers in the Youth Library are for those aged 14 and under.

Youth Library Web Page:  Our Web page includes teacher resource information and bibliographies, links to internet resources for young people, program information, a parenting page, and other information.

Circulation Policies:  Any Maricopa County resident may obtain a free library card with valid identification.

  • Except where noted, items are checked out for 28 days;  borrowers may renew over the telephone (350-5577) as well as on the web (obtain password at the check-out desk).
  • There is a 30-item maximum per card.
  • Videos check out for 7 days.

Bibliographies for Educators

The following bibliographies touch on just a fraction of what Tempe Public Library has to offer educators. Please visit the youth services area for more assistance.

Multicultural Children's Literature Resources at Tempe Public Library

Multicultural Children's Literature Resources

This list contains two sections: first, general resources that reflect on multicultural literature issues and/or assist in locating books about many cultural groups in the United States as well as around the world, and second, a listing of annual multicultural children's and young adult awards.

General Resources

Albyn, Carole Lisa and Webb, Lois Sinaiko. The Multicultural Cookbook for Students. Oryx Press, 1993.  Presents a collection of recipes from over 120 countries and briefly discusses the culture and culinary habits of each country. JUV REF 641.59 A345M

Angell, Carole S. Celebrations around the World: A Multicultural Handbook. Fulcrum Publishing, 1996. Some 200 pages of information about holidays throughout the year. JUV REF 394.26 A583C

Bishop, Rudine Sims, ed,. and the Multicultural Booklist Committee of the National Council of Teachers of English. Kaleidoscope: A Multicultural Booklist for Grades K-8. National Council of Teachers of English, 1994.  An annotated bibliography of books selected by content specialists featuring books published during recent years.  JUV REF 016.3058 K145

Derman-Sparks, Louise and the A.B.C. Task Force. Anti-Bias Curriculum: Tools for Empowering Young Children. National Association for the Education of Young Children, 1989.  A task force of early childhood educators developed this manual featuring ways to create an inclusive, non-racist environment for young children. Print, nonprint media, and toys are discussed. Also includes stereotype worksheet.  JUV REF 372.13 D435A

Harris, Violet, ed. Teaching Multicultural Literature in Grades K-8. Christopher-Gordon Publishers, 1992.  Essays by children's literature authors and critics reflecting on literature from cross cultures including Native American, Caribbean, Asian Pacific, and African-American. JUV REF 370.117 T253

Hayden, Carla, ed. Venture into Cultures: A Resource Book of  Multicultural Materials & Programs. American Library Association, 1992.  Eight chapters provide annotated bibliographies of various perspectives and suggestions for using the titles discussed.  JUV REF 011.62 V468

Johnson, Lauri. Dealing with Diversity through Multicultural Fiction: Library-Classroom  Partnerships. ALA, 1993.  Discusses Project Equal: creating empathy and equity through a literature based thematic approach to multiculturalism. Includes staff training and long term results of the project. JUV REF 370.196 J675D

Kuipers, Barbara. American Indian Reference and Resource Books for Children and Young Adults. Libraries Unlimited, 1995.  A study of the multiplicity of published books of information about American Indians yielded this annotated listing of recommended books for children and teenagers with carefully articulated annotations. JUV REF 016.973 K962A 1995

Lindgren, Merri, ed. The Multicolored Mirror: Cultural Substance in Literature for Children and Young Adults. Highsmith Press, 1991.  Dialogue, bibliographies, and resource lists concerning cultural authenticity by a variety of children's literature specialists. JUV REF 015.73 M961

McGowan, Meredith. Appreciating Diversity through Children's Literature: Teaching Activities for  the Primary Grades. Teacher Ideas Press, 1994.  Suggests numerous titles and ideas that encourage primary students to appreciate diversity in terms of age, gender, physical abilities and ethnicity. JUV REF 372.64 M146A

Miller-Lachmann, Lyn, ed. Our Family, Our Friends, Our World: An Annotated Guide to Significant Multicultural Books for Children and Teenagers. R.R. Bowker, 1992. This bibliographic guide has a national and multi-national organizational structure divided by grade levels.  JUV REF 011.62 M652O

Pilger, Mary Anne. Multicultural Projects Index: Things to Make and Do to Celebrate Festivals, Cultures, and Holidays around the World. Libraries Unlimited, 1992.  JUV REF 394.2 P638M

Ramsey, Patricia. Multicultural Education: A Sourcebook. Garland, 1989. Contains essays and annotation on a number of issues related to multicultural education. Filled with great refererence bibliographies. 370.117 R183M

Roberts, Patricia. Developing Multicultural Awareness through Children's Literature:   A Guide for Teachers and Librarians, Grades K-8. McFarland, 1993. Details over 200 children's books featuring characters from diverse backgrounds, who can serve as models in overcoming cultural stereotypes. Includes target activities. JUV REF 305.8 R646D

Rochman, Hazel. Against Borders: Promoting Books for a Multicultural World. American Library Association, 1993.  A focus on recommended books for grades six through adult and a theme index including the types of journeys across cultures, racial oppression, and ethnic U.S.A. JUV REF 011.62 R679A

Slapin, Beverly and Doris Seale. Through Indian Eyes: The Native Experience in Books for Children. New Society Publishers, 1992.  A listing of recommended books and articles offer opportunities for outsiders to grow in understanding about what makes a good book about American Indian themes and topics. JUV REF 970.00497 T531

Webb, Lois Sinaiko. Holidays of the World Cookbook for Students. Oryx Press, 1995. A collection of 388 recipes from more than 136 countries plus an introduction describing local holidays, customs, and foods that are part of the holiday tradition in each country. JUV REF 641.568 W366H

Awards

Coretta Scott King Awards for Outstanding Writing and Illustration for Children and Young Adults by African Americans. First presented in 1970 and awarded by the Coretta Scott King Task Force, Social Responsibilities Round Table, ALA.

Carter G. Woodson Book Awards for social science books depicting ethnicity. First present in 1974 and awarded by the National Council for the Social Studies.

The ALSC/REFORMA Children's Book Award for outstanding works by a Latino author or illustrator which affirm the Chicano/Latino/Hispanic ethnicity, heritage and experiences in the U.S. First presented in 1996 and awarded by the ALA Association For Library Services to Children (ALSC) and the ALA Office for Library Outreach Services (REFORMA).

The CLASP Award is given in recognition of a U.S. work of fiction published in the previous year in English or Spanish which authentically and engagingly presents the experience of individuals in Latin America, the Caribbean, or of Latinos in the U.S. First awarded in 1993 and presented by the Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP).


A Selection of Internet Sites for Educators

The following sites can connect users to hundreds of sites dealing with education including lesson plans, developmental stages, teaching tips, and much more. Please keep in mind that the content of these sites are neither monitored or created by the staff of Tempe Public Library, and content is subject to change at any time.