Outstanding Library Service to Children: Putting the Core Competencies to Work

What does it truly take to provide excellent library service to children? The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) has outlined seven core competencies - skills that are building blocks for professional development for children's librarians. In this practical guide, three children's services experts bring these skills to life. Use this primer to develop and sharpen skills and access resources to improve professionalism and skills in: knowledge of the client group; administration and management; communication; materials and collection development; programming; and, advocacy, public relations, and networking.

Rosanne Cerny is Coordinator of Children s Services for New York s Queens Library. She holds her MLS from Rutgers University.

Penny Markey is Coordinator of Youth Services for the County of Los Angeles Public Library. She holds her MSLS from Case Western Reserve University.

Amanda Williams, a consultant specializing in youth services, works with the Central Texas Library System. She holds her MLS from the University of North Texas (Denton) and PhD from the University of Texas at Austin.

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is committed to exemplary library service to children, their families, and others who work with children.