Crash Course in Library Services to Preschool Children

by Betsy Diamant-Cohen

Overview

This text contains a comprehensive overview of library services for preschool children that provides simple, practical tips for working with the youngest library patrons, including computer usage.

Tailoring a portion of your library towards the needs of toddlers, preschoolers, and parents of infants is a complicated undertaking. Children's librarianship involves much more than simply providing a good selection of books for children; creating an effective program for this user group requires specific experience and knowledge.

Crash Course in Library Services to Preschool Children covers all aspects of library service for preschoolers, including programming, collection management, policies and procedures, child development, dealing with caregivers, community partnerships and events, computer use, storytelling, creating a child-friendly children's room, and working with special populations. This text is especially suited for new librarians or librarians in isolated communities, as it contains a plethora of useful hints, new ideas, and simple, helpful directions.

• Contains many successful suggestions from practicing children's librarians regarding weeding and programming for two-year-olds
• Includes a comprehensive bibliography and webliography of relevant reference resources, as well as books that are recommended specifically for preschoolers

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781598846881
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	08/13/2010
Series:	Crash Course
Pages:	137
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Betsy Diamant-Cohen is an early childhood specialist and children's librarian.

Editorial Reviews

"All librarians who deal with preschoolers, whether experienced public librarians or new school media specialist, will benefit from the ideas, concepts, and guidance provided here. Those who are considering a job where they might encounter preschool patrons will also benefit from the simple terminology and examples offered throughout the book." - Booklist Online

"A chapter devoted to 'special populations' rounds out this well-designed training manual and includes not just service for the challenged or special-needs child, but also for immigrant children who may be new English-language learners, children with parents in prison, and the homeless. A balanced reading list of professional materials and a short list of picture books are appended. The book is comprehensive, yet centered on the essential elements of this aspect of the profession." - School Library Journal

From the Publisher

Diamant-Cohen's introductory volume is a basic compilation of the specific responsibilities, knowledge, and expertise required for beginning librarians or students enrolled in LIS coursework. In succinct, often summary-style paragraphs, a conceptualization of the preschooler's attributes and needs are outlined through aspects of early-childhood development and literacy education. A fairly thorough chapter contains programming possibilities and formats, including a sample generic storyhour plan. Chapters on readers' advisory and reference, room layout and furniture, policies and procedures, partnerships, and special events include information that applies to the general field of children's librarianship with ideas that can be transferred to service for very young children and their families. A chapter devoted to "special populations" rounds out this well-designed training manual and includes not just service for the challenged or special-needs child, but also for immigrant children who may be new English-language learners, children with parents in prison, and the homeless. A balanced reading list of professional materials and a short list of picture books are appended. The book is comprehensive, yet centered on the essential elements of this aspect of the profession.—Rita Soltan, Youth Services Consultant, West Bloomfield, MI

School Library Journal