Standards for Public Library Services to Children in Massachusetts
Please send your comments on this standard to: Kathy Moran-Wallace at kathymoranwallace@yahoo.com
SERVICES
By successfully balancing collection development, programming, readers' advisory and outreach the public library meets the reading and information needs of children and others in its service profile. The Youth Services Department serves children from infancy through age 12, parents and caregivers, adults working with children, and agencies/organizations serving children. Others who may need children's materials include: students of children's literature; writers; artists and craftspeople; adults developing language skills; and adults needing basic subject material.
1.0 The following PRINCIPLES shall govern the provision of library service to children.
1.1 Services to children shall be based on a written policy outlining philosophy, goals, and objectives. This document is reviewed in consultation with the director on an annual basis to determine its effectiveness in serving the needs and interests of children of all ages and those who deal with children in the community and to assure consistency with established library goals as stated in the library's long range plan.
1.2 The library offers, at no charge, a full range of materials and services to children, and does not limit access to materials because of a child's age or the type of material.
1.3 As library users children must be treated courteously and with respect throughout the library, and every effort must be made to answer their requests.
1.4 The Youth Services Department hours shall be no less than those of the Adult Services Department. The Youth Services Department shall be appropriately staffed to provide the full range of available service to youth during all hours that the library is open.
1.5 Continuing efforts shall be made to identify underserved and hard-to-reach
children and to develop appropriate services in response to their needs. This includes children with special needs, children at risk, and children in alternate learning and care environments including home-schooled children. Care must be taken to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
1.6 As readers' advisors, youth services staff, assist young people in making the transition to young adult or adult materials by introducing them to materials outside the children's area and by helping them communicate with the adult services staff.
1.7 The library supports the child's right to privacy in accordance with the principles expressed in the ÒCode of Ethics,Ó American Library Association (June 28, 1995) and the Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 78 Section 7.
2.0 ELEMENTS of basic service provided by the Youth Services Department are:
2.1 An active plan in keeping with the library's mission that promotes the library's goals and objectives.
2.2 A current and user-appropriate collection of children's materials in a broad range of formats for both in library use and circulation. Attention must be paid to the constant evolution of technology.
2.3 Reference and information services that make no distinction between children's and adult's questions and include effective and current service practices including the training and use of electronic resources.
2.4 Readers' advisory services that assist children and adults in making positive choices when selecting materials for reading, viewing, and listening.
2.5 A comprehensive program plan that meets the developmentally appropriate needs of the community's youth and the needs of adults working with youth.
2.6 Access to materials and library services for youth using all patron hold and delivery methods available to library users.
2.7 Bibliographic access to children's materials through local and union catalogs as provided by local, regional, and/or other types of providers.
2.8 Administrative activities that result in the development, planning, implementation and evaluation of the use and effectiveness of departmental services.