Children and Young Adult Library Services

In a time where our world is changing so fast and information is overwhelmingly abundant, children and young adult librarians are in a pivotal position to help young people learn to navigate, make sense of, and take positive action in the world around them. The UNC School of Information and Library Science Children and Young Adult Library Program maintains a long history of commitment to the preparation of graduates to serve and advocate for these unique library patrons.

Guided by a comprehensive knowledge and applied understanding of theory, practice, and emerging trends in librarianship, graduates of our program go on to become leaders in the field of children and young adult library services and play an influential role in the shaping of 21st century libraries.

Individuals interested in obtaining a MSLS specializing in children and young adult librarianship will find:

• Intellectually rigorous coursework, emphasizing children and young adult literature, reference services, collection development, library management, technology integration and leadership
• Instruction and hands-on application of emerging technologies
• Exceptional faculty
• Dedicated community of peers
• Practicum opportunities serving children and young adults in the public library setting
• Personalized mentorship by professionals in the field of children and youth services and by SILS faculty

Role of the Children’s and Young Adult Librarian

What do librarians who serve children and young adults do? They...

• Empower and motivate young people
• Promote and nurture the habit of reading
• Introduce students to the latest electronic resources
• Collaborate with other educators
• Build programs to link the library to community groups
• Choose resources to enhance the library collection
• Provide parenting education and family literacy programs
• Design and provide engaging activities that help young people develop their creativity, interests, and talents

A librarian who serves children and young adults:

• Has a sincere desire to work with young people
• Knows and loves children’s and young adult literature
• Strives to learn new information technology and teach it to others
• Has a commitment to helping people learn
• Cares about making a positive impact in the community
• Explores ways to build strong parent/child relationships
• Believes strongly in the rights of children and young adults
• Acts as a catalyst for innovative teaching and authentic learning
• Possesses creativity, motivation, flexibility, excellent communication skills, imagination, enthusiasm, and more!

Does this sound like you? (from the American Library Association)

For more information, see the American Library Association’s Competencies for Librarians Serving Children in Public Libraries .

UNC-CH Children and Young Adult Library Service Preparatory Program

Required Courses

• 461: Information Tools
• 500: Human Information Interactions
• 501: Information Resources and Services
• 513: Resource Selection and Evaluation
• 521: Organization of Materials
• 585: Management for Information Professionals
• 780: Research Methods
• 992: Master’s Paper

Highly Recommended Courses

• 530: Young Adult Literature (Fall & Spring)
• 534: Children and Technology (Spring biennially)
• 558: Storytelling (Fall)
• 732: Children’s Literature (Fall)
• 733: Administration of Youth Services (Spring biennially)
• 788: User Education
• 890: International Children’s Literature (Fall)

Recommended Courses

• 842: Seminar in Popular Materials
• 843: Seminar in Public Libraries (Spring)
• COMM 563 Performance of Children’s Lit. (Fall)
• EDUC 681 Human Development (Fall)

Course Selection Guide

Useful Information

ALSC
Association for Library Services for Children

International Children’s Digital Library
Multicultural digital library of outstanding children’s books.

Internet Public Library 2
The Internet Public Library features a convenient service called Ask an IPL Librarian in which the IPL’s dedicated online volunteer staff answers reference questions for visitors of the IPL. Features a KidSpace and TeenSpace.

LearnNC
Resources for K-12 teachers and media specialists from UNC—School of Education.

NCLA Youth Services
North Carolina Library Association—Youth Services

NC WISEOWL
Web site that has, as its centerpiece, several subscription databases of reference sources for K-12 students.

National Storytelling Network

North Carolina Storytelling Guild

Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators

YALSA
Young Adult Library Services Association

Contact Information