describe the major influences on the development of the child;
explain the meaning, forms and value of literacy;
demonstrate an understanding of the acquisition of reading skills and the reading habits of young people;
summarise the influence which technology and the media have on the development of the child, children''''s book publishing and library provision;
describe the role of the British children''''s public library service and associated organisations in supporting the social, educational and cultural needs of the young;
outline the principles of managing the collection of a children''''s library;
discuss the value and range of promotional activities currently offered by children''''s libraries.
Brief description
Library services to children and young people have long constituted one of the most important branches of the public library profession. Collections and services have evolved to support the social, cultural, educational and recreational needs of young people as well as the fundamental requirement for literacy in its many variant forms. In creating library provision for the young, the profession has recognised that children and young people do not constitute a homogeneous group. Increasingly, children''s librarians have also recognised the need to extend their services to those adults who are concerned with young people, and collections on topics such as parenting, child development, even adult fiction are being established in many children''s libraries. Central to the success of provision is the need for a cadre of librarians who possess the requisite specialist skills, a coherent national policy for children''s librarianship, and management structures which facilitate comprehensive services to the young.
Reading Lists
Books ** Essential Reading
Barker, K. and Lonsdale, R. (eds) (1994) Skills for life? The meaning and value of literacy. Proceedings of the Youth Libraries Group Conference, Mason Hall, University of Birmingham, September 1992
London: Taylor Graham
Blanshard, C (1998) Managing library services for children and young people a practical handbook
London: Library Association Publishing
Elkin, J. and Lonsdale, R (1996) Focus on the child: libraries, literacy and learning
London: Library Association Publishing
Eyre, G. ed (1994) Making quality happen: a practical guide to promoting your library
London: The Library Association - Youth Libraries Group
Department of National Heritage, Library and Information Services Council (England) Working Party on Library Services for Children and Young People (1995) Investing in children: the future of library services for children and young people
London: HMSO (Library information series; no. 22)
Spink, J (1989) Children as readers: a study
London: Bingley
Department of Health. United Nations (1994) Convention on the Rights of the Child
London: HMSO
Blanshard, C. (ed) (1997) Children and young people: Library Association guidelines for public library services
2nd. Library Association Publishing
Davies, M M (1989) Television is good for your kids
London: Shipman