Youth Services Librarian: Philosophy

Christina Dufour

Children and Youth Services, LSC535

Lauren Mandel

Part I

September 27, 2013

• ·       Who does a youth services librarian responsible for?

To discuss what Youth Services are, we must first define who is “youth” is within a library.  Based on previous experience within libraries, a youth can be defined as “children in a community from ages 0 to 12 or 14” (Fasick & Holt, 2013, p. 6).  This group is classified within the same age for public, school, and special libraries.  They encompass pre-schoolers, young school-goers, and, in some cases, young adults.  As a result, a youth services librarian may maintain items such as “boardbooks, picture books, books for beginning readers, chapter books, graphic novels, nonfiction and reference books, foreign-language books, historical children’s books, parenting and teacher books for adults, and…other learning materials” (Fasick & Holt, 2013, p. 13).  In addition to materials, youth services also require programming and social activities.  These are typically events put on by the youth services librarian and other staff and they seek to engage several opportunities children may not normally have.  The events may seek to engage any of several social types- parent and child interaction, child to child interaction, outside of school education, and recreational activity.  As for programming, the library may use a book club, a movie or game night, homework help, author visits, and more.

• ·       What importance does a youth services play in the library and the community?

Youth Services are important to society at large because the youth eventually turn into adults and adults into elderly people.  By making a positive impact on a child, the librarian may be able to influence his or her later decision to return to the library.  The librarian has the opportunity to convince him or her the library is a valuable resource- in his or her adult years this could be very important to the future of the library as it would gather the users that will in turn use and fund the library.  Positive interactions and positive influences, while making an impression on a child’s library visit, are key.  At a young age, he or she may not realize what a great resource the library is, but he or she can remember it as a place of enjoyment.  On a similar note, the librarian may be creating a positive atmosphere or fun event that the child may not have had the chance to do outside of the library.  In some cases, children bring parents or guardians with them who may look around the library and decide to come back in the future.  These parents or guardians could also take up an interest in the library, volunteer or join the Friends of the Library (or a library equivalent).  Youth services have several pros in librarianship and, one could argue, no cons.

• ·       How I see myself as a youth services librarian.

As a librarian, I feel I have much to learn about the younger patrons.  Some aspects, such as which programs work and which ones do not, will be learned on the job.  But I do know that I want to be the librarian who creates a space for children to go where they feel safe, valued, and engaged.  To be there for the youth and to offer a wide variety of services is a start.  I hope to be able to offer programs that engage (socially and mentally) each age group as appropriate without neglecting one.  However, it’s not all about the children, their parents or guardians have to be accounted for: I hope to create a space where they want to learn together and can be creative.  In listening and having chances for adults and children to give feedback, there is a lot of opportunity for positive outcomes.  Lastly, while there is typically one staff member for the children's area, I would like to give staff of my library the chance to be involved.  There are department heads for a reason, but there may something that other staff members observe that -try as I might- I might oversee.  Ultimately, the aim is for a positive experience that makes the youth want to use their library both now and in the future.  

Works Cited:

Fasick, A.M., & Holt, L.E. (2013). Managing children’s services in libraries.  Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO.