Children's and Teen Services
Quality library services for children have been a vital component of public librarianship throughout this century. Public librarians, working with schools and other community agencies can play a significant role in the full development of the whole child. Nationally, there has been increased emphasis on early childhood literacy. Public libraries can enhance their role in childhood literacy efforts through partnerships with other agencies and outreach.
Children at different ages have unique information needs and their developmental stage needs to be considered when developing services and building collections. As with all areas of library service, the services designed for children must be carefully planned, implemented, and evaluated.
In a number of public libraries, young adults or teenagers (defined as ages 12-18) can be the "forgotten" clientele. Collections and services are provided for children and for adults, but young adults can be inadvertently neglected in staffing, budgeting, and collections and services. The interests and information needs of these young adults can be as diverse as those of adults in a community. The stage theories of human growth and development have many implications for the services libraries provide, the types of materials needed, and for the physical and psychological atmosphere in a library.
Learning Objectives:
- To understand the changing needs of children, from babies to junior high students
- To be aware of the technology students use today
- To understand teen needs, including their interests, ways of thinking and access to technology
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To understand the applicable standards, as listed in In Service To Iowa
- Standards 47-51 (p. 17-18)
- Standard 53 (p. 19)
- Standard 56 (p. 20)
