Thanks for your interest in having me review your CD or book.  I’m flattered.  Just so we’re on the same page, expectation-wise, I developed this standard review policy.  Thank you for taking this time to read the policy.

1. Philosophy - I like to write reviews because I like to discuss the things I read, watch, hear, etc.  My goals are more about generating interest than they are about generating sales (especially if said materials are available at one’s LOCAL LIBRARY), but interest and sales go hand in hand regardless.  And that’s certainly not a bad thing.
2. Music 
   1. No guarantee - Due to the time constraints of working full-time, having kids, and sort of having a life, I cannot review every album I receive.  If the kids or I (preferably both) develop strong feelings for the album, I will review it.
   2. Exception - If I sought you out, it’s because I’m pretty sure I’m going to like your album, and plan on reviewing it.
   3. No worry - I will not write negative music reviews.  Your only risk in sending me something is that you may not get a return on your investment.
   4. Prescreening - I won’t always listen to samples of your work before giving you my mailing address.  If you want a feel for whether or not my family and I might like your music, I suggest browsing my recent reviews.
   5. Queue - Out of fairness, I generally review albums in the order they are received.  That is, unless you send me something completely mind-blowing, in which case I may bump it up in the queue.
   6. Format - Downloadable review copies are great—I’m all for saving time and money—but the key word is downloadable.  It’s hard for me to review something if I’m tied to a computer screen.  I’m not trying to rip you off by not buying a copy of the album, but I cannot afford to buy everyone’s album on a librarian’s salary.
   7. Review copies are considered donations - I add the CDs I receive for review to my library’s collection when I am finished with them.  Like most libraries, we have a modest budget that can only be spent through approved vendors (with limited catalogs), and I’m trying to build the World’s Best Kindie Library Collection.  If you don’t want your CD donated to the Manchester City Library, that’s fine; please mark it as “for review only” and/or include a return envelope with sufficient postage.
   8. Multiple copies - I don’t do giveaways, so if you send duplicates I will keep the extra copy for my personal collection, or save it as a backup to our library copy.
   9. Copyright - As a rule, librarians take copyright law seriously.  I won’t be retaining or sharing illegal copies of your work, nor will I sell the original.
3. Books 
   1. Scope - The books I review are usually obtained through my library system, but I am open to receiving review copies in the following categories:
      1. Nonfiction picture books - I am especially interested in the following subject areas:  math, science, ethics, social justice, other cultures, and comparative religion.
      2. Fiction picture books - The girls especially like funny and/or quirky books, but I’m also interested in books that tie into the above nonfiction subject areas.
   2. No guarantee - Just like with CDs, I cannot guarantee a review for every book I receive.  Unlike with CDs, I may write a negative review.  As someone with an undergraduate degree in English literature, and graduate coursework in children’s literature, I feel comfortable doling out criticism; and as a reader and a librarian with collection development responsiblities, I appreciate the role of critical reviews.  That said, unless there is a compelling reason, above and beyond personal preference, I rarely spend time reviewing books I don’t like.
   3. Review copies are considered donations - If a book is a final copy, I will add it to the library collection (assuming it fits our collection criteria).  If it is marked as a review copy, I will recycle it.  If you don’t want your book donated to the Manchester City Library (or recycled), please include a return envelope with sufficient postage.  Review copies will not be sold.
4. Advertising - My blog space is not for sale.  There will be no blatant advertisements or promotional posts (unless I have chosen to promote something of my own free will, without compensation).  I don’t participate in giveaways, blog tours, or other marketing gimmicks.
5. Follow-up - If and when I write a review for your CD or book, I will contact you to let you know.  Contacting me to ask when to expect a review will only (a) result in me replying with a link to this section of the review policy, and (b) put added pressure on me, which will probably cause a greater delay.

Still interested?  My email address is located in the sidebar, under my photo.  Feel free to address me on a first name basis.  My physical mailing address is c/o my library.  I’ll happily provide it for you when you contact me, or, if you’re the independent type, you can easily do your homework.