Qualifications for
Youth Services Librarian

Children are the future. You can help shape their lives and ensure yourself an exciting and fulfilling career by becoming a YOUTH SERVICES LIBRARIAN.

Are you looking for a career that ...

_ allows you work with kids?
_ affords you the opportunity to work with many different people in the community?
_ enables you to share your love for books?
_ keeps you on the cutting edge of computer technology?
_ encourages you to develop your artistic and theatrical talents?
_ empowers you to sharpen your organization and decision-making skills?
_ rewards people who are creative and self-motivated?


Do you want a career that is both challenging and FUN? Then here is the career for you. As a Youth Services Librarian you will...

_ Interact with many types of people - children from infancy to young adult, parents, caregivers, teachers, recreation workers, and other people in the community.
_ Promote learning by showing students how to find the information they need.
_ Encourage young people to read by telling stories, booktalking, developing reading lists, and helping patrons choose books that match their needs and interests.
_ Help patrons use computers for educational and recreational purposes, while keeping current with the latest technological advances.
_ Develop your creative skills by conducting storytimes, planning programs, designing bulletin boards and displays, and coordinating arts and crafts sessions. You'll help to nurture creative talents in children, too.
_ Participate in the selection of books, magazines, videos, sound recordings, software and other media for the library collection.
_ Continue to grow professionally by reading journals, attending training workshops and conferences, and taking advantage of career advancement opportunities.


Personal Qualifications:
Academic
Qualifications:

_ A knowledge of children's and young adult literature
_ A commitment to promote literacy and life-long learning
_ A public service attitude
_ An interest in technology
_ A desire to work with young people

PLUS: communication skills, creativity, imagination, self-motivation, and enthusiasm!

_ A Bachelor's degree

_ A Master's degree from a graduate program accredited by the American Library Association

_ School Library Media Specialists also need courses in education-related subjects and must meet state certification requirements - qualifications vary from state to state.



To find out more:
Contact the American Library Association
50 East Huron Street, Chicago, Illinois 60611
1-800-545-2433
http://www.ala.org
Also:
Association for Library Service to Children
Young Adult Library Services Association
American Association for School Librarians
Office for Human Resource Development and Recruitment



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Updated: 02/05/01 /webpage prepared by s. hutchison