Last year, ALSC revised their competencies document to reflect best practices in service to children. The document addresses commitment to our client group; reference and reader's advisory; programming skills; collection knowledge and management; outreach and advocacy; administrative and management skills and professional development.
ALSC writes: "Librarians are vital to all children, caregivers, and the communities that support them. The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), believes that all children and their caregivers need and deserve the very best opportunities, which is why ALSC members are leaders in the field of children's library service, particularly in areas of access, advocacy, outreach, inclusion, diversity, family literacy, and lifelong learning.
Through specialized
coursework in undergraduate and graduate study, on-the-job training, and
continuing education opportunities, librarians and paraprofessionals serving
children and their caregivers should achieve and maintain the following skills,
orientations, and understandings to ensure children receive the highest quality
of library service as defined in the ALA’s Library Bill of Rights and its
interpretations, ALA's Code of Ethics, and in the ALA and Association of
American Publishers’ joint Freedom to Read Statement. Library service to children
and their caregivers, as envisioned by ALSC, is best accomplished when all
competencies are developed and achieved by all staff."
