Children’s librarians not only choose materials for the children’s section of the library, but they also do a lot more. They’re also in charge of organizing a variety of programs and activities for young library users. They must engage in outreach, promote upcoming programs, assist with reference questions, and create unique book displays.
A children’s librarian must be knowledgeable about children’s literature, from toddler books to young adult novels. She should read children’s literature journals like The Horn Book and School Library Journal on a regular basis. These publications contain in-depth reviews of current books for young people. She can make informed decisions about which books and materials to include in the library’s children’s and young adult sections studying these journals.
A children’s librarian must also devise programs that appeal to a wide range of ages. Many libraries can only afford to hire one youth services librarian. As a result, a children’s librarian might plan a preschool story time one minute and a teen program the next. He might lead a book club for school-aged children later in the day. It’s critical that he connects with children of all ages and creates programs that they will enjoy. He must also plan crafts for the library’s activities. This entails creating prototypes so that children can use them as a guide when creating their own art projects.
Another important task for a librarian who works with children is to assist with reference questions. Many students use the library to finish their homework and other projects. They are directed to the materials they require in order to complete their assignments the librarian. She assists them with online research, directing them to online databases that provide reliable sources for school reports.
Another responsibility of a librarian who works with young patrons is outreach. She frequently visits schools and daycares to read stories to children and encourage them to go to the library. She frequently gives a book talk, which is essentially a short “commercial” in which she persuades the audience to check out a specific book. She should have a flair for the dramatic, presenting story times and book talks in a lively manner so that kids become excited about books and the library, as she performs in front of an audience on a regular basis.
Many children’s librarians are also in charge of writing press releases and putting together the monthly calendar of children’s events. It’s critical that the public is aware of the wide range of activities and programs offered the children’s department; as a result, it’s part of their job to send out press releases to the media to publicize upcoming events.
A children’s librarian is expected to create helpful book lists and pathfinders to assist patrons in finding books that might be of interest to them. She might put together a handout with a list of teen horror books or award-winning books, for example. She might also make a handout directing patrons to lesser-known books in the library that are similar to popular ones. This assists patrons in discovering additional books that may be of interest to them. Book lists and pathfinders are frequently included in binders or posted on the library’s website so that patrons can find them.
Children’s librarians put together book displays based on specific themes or holidays. They could, for example, make a sign about dragon books. She’d then gather a variety of dragon-themed books and display them alongside the sign, hoping that kids would choose one to check out.
One of the most important job responsibilities of a youth services librarian is to oversee the library’s summer reading program. She must start preparing for the program months in advance. Special events, story times, special guests, and arts and crafts are all part of the program. The goal is to get kids to read during the summer providing fun activities at the library. Children can win prizes if they read a certain number of books over the summer. Often, the summer program concludes with a special celebration for children who achieve their reading goals. Because the summer reading program is such a big deal, the children’s librarian puts in a lot of effort to make it a success.
Within the library, a children’s librarian is in charge of a variety of tasks. She must be an expert at leading story times and book discussions. She’ll have to schedule performers, make book lists, signs, and creative book displays, among other things. She will be in charge of outreach and the summer reading program. In addition, the librarian is responsible for writing press releases and designing the monthly calendar. Because of her diverse job responsibilities, the children’s section of the public library is a fun place for kids of all ages to visit.