Focus on the Child : Reading and Libraries

1. At the end of this module you should be able to: * 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.

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.

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.

This module is at CQFW Level 7