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STAFF

The distinct needs and characteristics of childhood make it essential that every library shall designate at least one staff member to provide services to children. Each child in the Commonwealth is also entitled to the expertise of a professional children's librarian.  Therefore, the goal of each library shall be to employ a professional children's librarian who has earned a master's degree from an ALA accredited program with course work related to children’s materials and service. 

1.0       The following PRINCIPLES shall govern the staffing of children's services:

1.1.       The children's librarian shall possess the following competencies:

• A broad knowledge of children's physical and intellectual development and its implication for library service.
• A genuine caring and respect for children.
• Knowledge and understanding of the library's mission, goals and objectives.
• Recognition of current issues and legislation affecting children in the community and society.
• Ability to work well and communicate constructively with both children and adults.
• Ability to plan, manage, and evaluate programs and services and to assess their effectiveness based on community needs.
• A broad knowledge and appreciation of children’s literature, periodicals, audiovisual materials, websites and other electronicmedia, and other materials that constitute a current and relevant children’s  collection.       
• Ability to select print and non-print materials and relate them to the needs of all children.
• Ability to assume a leadership role in staff and program development.
• Ability to serve as a strong advocate for children within the library and the community.
• Ability to plan, develop, initiate, and carry out developmentally appropriate children's programs and services online and on-site.

1.2       Paralibrarian staff members responsible for implementing children's services shall have some formal library and child-related training, which will be acquired through one or more of the following:

• A four-year college degree.
• Successful completion of college level course work with emphasis on child development and children's literature.
• Specialized training through continuing education such as regional workshops, association meetings, programs and seminars.
• In addition, paraprofessional personnel shall be encouraged by the administration and trustees to pursue a master's degree from an ALA accredited program.

1.3       The salary of the children's librarian must be commensurate with the formal qualifications mandated by the library and on a par with other staff who have similar levels of responsibility within the library.  Appropriate time and recompense shall be provided for job related professional activities.

1.4       Staff support (professional, paralibrarian, clerical, page) is essential for attaining a high level of service and for achieving the children’s librarian’s core responsibilities: 

• Support may be shared with other departments, but should be available to the children's department when programs are in progress and at other times that are mutually agreed upon by the children's librarian and the library director.
• Administration and trustees shall encourage staff to take part in specialized training through continuing education such as regional workshops, professional association meetings, programs and seminars.

1.5       Factors to be considered in staff allocation shall include:

• the percentage of the total population who are children
• the percentage of total circulation consisting of children's materials,
• the need to expand children's services,
• the volume and diversity of programming,
• the size and complexity of the collection.

1.6       There shall be position descriptions for all staff with responsibility for children's services, and it is desirable that each staff member develop an annual set of goals and objectives in consultation with her/his supervisor.

1.7       Regular performance evaluation of children's services staff shall be conducted and shall be based on position descriptions and on goals and objectives.

1.8       Any volunteers serving in the children's area shall be supervised by the children's librarian.

• Volunteers should not replace but act as a complement to regular staff.
• The use of volunteers in the children's department shall follow the guidelines in the volunteer description guidelines as designated by the children’s librarian.

1.9       Each Massachusetts Regional Library System (MRLS) shall provide a full- time consultant for children's services.  This consultant shall provide     advisory services to staff in local public libraries and provide continuing   education programs.  Every effort shall be made to support opportunities for regular meetings between local youth services staff and regional consultants.

2.0      The RESPONSIBILITIES of the professional children's librarian are to:

2.1       Serve as part of the library's management team to assure communication, coordination, and planning with library administration and other library staff.

 2.2      Manage the operation of the children's area, including:

• Analysis of the costs of library services to children in order to assess the budgetary needs of the children's department, and work with other library personnel to plan and implement the budget.
• Together with the library administration, writes  job descriptions, interviews, and selects staff.
• Trains, supervises, and develops staff through mentoring, coaching, and constructive evaluation.
• Gather and analyze statistics to inform and promote the development of library services.
• Assist administration in the development of policies affecting youth services.

2.3      Develop short and long term goals and objectives for children's services as part of the overall library planning process.  Plan and implement activities to achieve these goals and objectives.

2.4      Take the initiative, working with library administration, to seek supplementary funding to enhance library services.  Sources may include:

• Grants from federal, state or local governments or private foundations.
• Contributions from Friends of the Library, community organizations, or local businesses.

2.5      Follow the library collection development policy in matters of selecting, evaluating, maintaining, and weeding children's materials.

2.6      Provide reference, reader's advisory and library orientation/instruction services.

2.7      Plan, implement, manage, and evaluate programs for children of all ages, parents, teachers, and caregivers.

2.8      Working with other library departments: promote, publicize and represent children's services and the library in the schools and to local community agencies.

2.9      Develop cooperative programs, services, and initiatives between the public library, schools, and other community agencies.

2.10     Advocate for children’s services to governing, educational, and community boards.

2.11     Pursue professional development through active participation in professional associations, continuing education, reading professional literature and keeping abreast of trends relating to children's needs and interests.

2.12     In the absence of a professional children's librarian these responsibilities shall be shared between the designated children's librarian and the library   director.