Product Review

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 and best practices that are the building blocks for professional development for children s librarians.

In this practical guide, three children s services experts bring these best practices to life. Each chapter, focusing on one of the competencies, gets new and experienced librarians up to speed fast by offering explanations, examples, and a substantial bibliography for more in-depth learning. Library managers gain training and assessment tools.

Highly skilled children s librarians draw on a wide array of talents to serve the needs of their audience, although few are equally adept in all seven areas. 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

* Advocacy, public relations, and networking

Children s librarians, administrators, trainers, and LIS educators will welcome this professional development mentor that gives them the resources to strengthen the practice of children s librarianship.