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There are many ways a prospective librarian can enter the field of librarianship. Some librarians become instructors or researchers; others focus on coding, technology, and data organization. Some serve the general public while others focus on working with academic communities or within smaller, special collections. One of the most popular areas of librarianship focuses on libraries’ youngest users: children. 

Whether a children’s librarian exists within a K-12 school or within a public library system, their professional objectives are often quite similar. They are focused on introducing children to literacy concepts while also teaching them how to navigate the world of books, technology, learning, research, and more. Children’s librarians work with infants, toddlers, preschoolers, school-age children, tweens, and teens – each of these age groups feature their own unique needs and challenges. Children’s librarians are trained to work with them all, providing library services to them in an effective manner. 

Children Have a Place at the Library

Take a look through any public library’s website, social media pages, or event calendars – you will likely see a wide variety of resources, programs, and activities advertised. Many of those opportunities will be directed at providing services to children of all ages. 

Long gone are the dusty, archaic images of libraries being quiet places of reflective study where a thick-framed glasses-donning librarian will shush you for sneezing too loudly. Libraries are often viewed as hubs of information and activity for the communities they serve, making them busy and bustling places. Libraries, particularly public libraries, tend to have holistic approaches when designing their services they want to offer to the public. This means they understand that part of their clientele includes children – all the way from infants through teenagers – and they want to find ways to meet their needs as well as their adult users.

A phrase commonly coined among public libraries in the past few years, “libraries are for everyone,” highlights the idea that all people have a place at their local public libraries. While the phrase is all-encompassing to include people with disabilities, people from various socio-economic statuses, people from various cultures, people from the LGBTQ+ community, people of all races, and beyond, it also includes people of all ages. Libraries are active places filled with resources, opportunities, and activities for patrons of all types, including children. This means that children have their very own place at the library, and having strong and knowledgeable children’s librarians is critical for meeting this need within library facilities all across America.

It is also important to remember that youth library users grow up to become the next generation of adults. Children’s services librarians can play a crucial role in spreading a love of reading, learning, and literacy within their local communities by serving as guides for young children. 

How Do Children Benefit from Visiting the Library?

Whether they are visiting their local public libraries or their school libraries, being exposed to a library environment, especially one staffed by knowledgeable children’s or youth services librarians, is incredibly beneficial for children of all ages in a variety of ways. Consider these common benefits children can receive from visiting the library, as explained by ReadToThem.org:

1. Open access to books and other resources at no charge.

Libraries provide access to thousands and thousands of books – and often many other resources as well, such as DVDs and periodicals. An excellent way to let children learn, explore, and develop a genuine enjoyment of reading is to allow them to read stories and learn about topics that interest them most. Being able to select from so many options at the library is an excellent (and cost-effective) way to increase children’s exposure to books and learning.

2. Improved atmospheres for learning.

Libraries provide access to information professionals specifically trained to work with youth (hello, children’s librarians!). These professionals can help children learn how to find materials independently while also introducing them to great new books and resources.

In the same vein of thought, libraries often work to make their spaces appealing and comfortable for its users. Children’s areas in libraries typically feature child-sized tables, quiet and low-distraction areas, and comfortable seating, all of which are conducive for focus and learning.

3. A real-world application of responsibility.

Visiting and borrowing items from the library is a real-world application of being responsible. Libraries typically require items to be returned in good condition and in a timely manner. Borrowing library books and other library-owned resources is an excellent early foray in making responsible choices for children.

4. Access to technology.

Most libraries offer access to technology, such as WiFi connections, internet hotspots, tablets, computers, and more. Without having to spend any money, children and their caregivers can access all sorts of technology and software at the library that would otherwise be expensive to access or obtain at home.

5. A variety of educational experiences.

Children’s libraries love to see children engaged in the learning process. They are also trained professionals who know how to help children expand their literacy skills. When children visit the library, they have an opportunity to learn from professional librarians who have been specifically trained to provide top-notch library services to them. Librarians in youth services also offer tons of programs, such as storytimes, crafting hours, and more, all designed specifically for children at no cost.

What Skills Does a Children’s Librarian Bring to the Table?

Library services for children are varied – there are many reasons why a child visits the library, and prospective children’s librarians will be trained to recognize and address them properly. According to the American Library Association’s Competencies for Librarians Serving Children, some examples of skills needed to provide effective services to children include (but are not limited to)…

• Knowing how to access technology tools such as laptops, desktop computers, and tablets, including providing instruction on how to properly use them 
• Knowing how to access learning programs designed to support early literacy and other educational skills 
• Knowing how to access reading materials and other items for checkout, including instruction on how to locate them within the library and check them out 
• Knowing how to provide reader’s advisory to children of all ages
• Storytimes and other literacy-awareness programming and activities designed for younger children
• Providing engaging, educational programming and activities designed for older children
• Literacy skill support and instruction appropriate for each individual child’s needs and skill levels 
• An understanding of differences between children and their families, including race, culture, socio-economic status, and more.
• An understanding of how to best advise parents looking for literacy-based advice when working to improve their children’s skills

What Does Studying for an MLIS Focused in Children’s Librarianship Look Like?

MLIS degrees have a variety of pathway options for students interested in entering different fields of librarianship. For example, many colleges and universities offer options for prospective librarians to enter reference services, instruction, academics, cataloging, metadata, outreach and community services, and of course, children’s services, just to name a few. While an MLIS student can choose their unique pathways during their educational careers, all MLIS programs typically offer a “base” of library services courses to prepare all prospective librarians in the fundamentals of…

• Material selection
• Reference and information services 
• Technology
• Cataloging and organizing information

Beyond these fundamentals courses, people studying to enter children’s services may take a variety of courses to prepare them specifically for working with youth, such as…

• Material selection for children and/or young adults 
• Fundamentals of early literacy
• Teaching and learning
• Youth or child psychology
• Instructional technology within informational settings
• Storytelling 
• Emerging trends in teaching and learning
• …and many more! 

It is important to remember that the field of library and information science is changing all the time, and that includes the way libraries serve and support all its patrons – including children. This means that colleges and universities are always looking for ways to improve and optimize their educational offerings so they can best prepare future K-12 school librarians and children’s librarians to be extremely effective in their roles.

What Degree Does a Children’s Librarian Need?

Children’s librarians can work in a variety of institutions, but they are most commonly found in public libraries and K-12 public schools. While certain school districts and public library systems may have their own unique sets of requirements depending on the state, the basic educational background required to become a children’s librarian is fairly standard:

1. Obtain a bachelor’s degree in any subject area.

Children’s librarians often have bachelor’s degrees in education or youth-focused fields of study, such as teaching, childhood psychology, or early childhood development, but this is not a hard and fast rule for entering children’s librarianship. Librarians can generally enter a master’s program with any bachelor’s degree background, which means prospective librarians who want to work in youth services aren’t excluded from the opportunity just because their undergraduate experiences were outside of education.

However, some programs may require a prospective children’s librarian to have a background in education, teaching, or some other youth-focused field before entering a master’s program designed for youth or children’s librarianship. Spend time carefully reviewing master’s program requirements before committing to a specific program to ensure you have the proper educational background to be successful there.

2. Obtain a Master of Library and Information Science (MLIS) degree with a focus in youth services or children’s librarianship.

Many MLIS programs understand that prospective librarians have a lot of potential career options ahead of them. Some librarians will work in adult services, reference services, or technical services. Others will pursue academic or archival library careers. However, youth services and children’s librarianship is not only an important facet of library work, but it is also one of the most popular. Because of this, many MLIS programs offer robust study pathways focused on providing services to children of all ages.

Typically, a strong youth services program will teach prospective librarians everything they need to know about early literacy and library services for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children, all the way through teenagers. Children hit a massive number of developmental milestones between ages 0-18; prospective librarians working toward the completion of a youth services-focused MLIS degree will learn a lot of valuable information and skills needed to best serve this very robust subgroup within their larger library community.

It should be noted that many library systems require their librarians to hold an MLIS degree from an ALA-accredited college or university. However, this isn’t always a strict hiring requirement – some institutions prefer it while others do not have a preference at all. As you consider different MLIS program options, check institutions you are interested in potentially applying for to gauge their preferences for ALA-accredited degrees before committing to a particular program of study.

What About Prospective Librarians Who Want to Work in K-12 Schools?

Many people have fond memories of visiting their schools’ libraries. K-12 school libraries often serve as the hub of learning and collaboration within their schools, and many students credit them as the places where they first experienced a library. School libraries are also unique in the fact that they serve the entire school community – faculty and staff included, as well as the students! Learn more about K-12 school libraries and how school librarians support them through the American Association of School Librarians (AASL).

Because K-12 school librarians are supporting their educational environments and unique school communities, they require some additional certifications in order to work in their specific roles.

1. Earn a bachelor’s degree in any subject area.

When you are considering entering K-12 school librarianship, you will likely find it easier to do so if you already have a degree in education. This is because K-12 school librarians are also considered teachers – their classrooms just look and function a bit differently than their more traditional counterparts. On top of providing typical library services, school librarians also teach classes and co-teach with the other educators in their facilities.

However, if a prospective K-12 school librarian doesn’t already have a teaching or education-based background, it doesn’t mean they can’t enter this professional field. Instead, the MLIS program they are applying for will assist them along the way to meet the requirements needed to enter the K-12 school librarian role that they would have normally earned during their undergraduate years.

While this is the typical program structure for K-12 school library MLIS pathways, it is crucial to do careful research when considering and choosing an MLIS program. Properly research your MLIS program options to ensure you are selecting a program that will support you if you need to earn additional certifications to become a K-12 school librarian.

2. Earn an MLIS degree.

Similarly to those wanting to enter children’s services in a public library setting, a prospective K-12 school librarian will need to earn their MLIS. Many people choose to enter an MLIS program with a specific pathway suited for those wanting to enter K-12 school libraries. However, if you earn your MLIS and later decide that you want to pursue a K-12 school librarian position, you still can. Many colleges and universities offer certificates and alternate routes of study for people wanting to add these specific certifications to their already-completed degrees, helping them achieve full eligibility to become a K-12 school librarian.

3. Follow the state’s specific certification or licensure pathways to become an official K-12 school librarian. 

It is important to note that K-12 school librarian requirements vary greatly from state to state. Before committing to any particular MLIS program with a school library track, research the state requirements where you intend to work to ensure you are selecting an MLIS program that will fully support your educational needs. While most states typically require graduation from an MLIS program, they typically also want to see a completed and active license, which can include…

• Passing scores on state-required licensure tests
• A minimum number of required student teaching hours 
• Specific courses completed with a minimum passing grade
• Cleared background check 
• A completed professional portfolio of evidences for position competency 
• …and more! 

What Are Some MLIS Program Options Available for Prospective Children’s Librarians?

There are a lot of fantastic MLIS programs out there…so how does a prospective children’s librarian go about choosing the right one? There are many factors that should play into your MLIS program decision, such as…

• Whether you want to attend an in-state or out-of-state school
• Whether you want to attend classes in-person, virtually, or a mixture of both 
• Whether you want to attend classes synchronously or asynchronously
• Whether you want an ALA-accredited program or not
• Whether you want to attach any additional certifications or licenses to your completed degree
• …and many more! 

There are many important decisions to make when you are determining which MLIS program is best suited for your professional and personal goals. 

For prospective children’s librarians, consider these three top-ranked MLIS program options:

1. The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

1. Online or in-person: In-person
2. Children’s services in public or K-12 school libraries: Both
3. Assistance with K-12 school licensure: Yes
4. ALA Accreditation: Yes
5. Other certifications and related courses offered: Yes; mental health first aid, UndocuCarolina, Haven Training, Safe Zone Training
6. Estimated cost: $1,277.80/credit hour for state residents; $1760.06/hour for out of state residents

This program is one of the top-ranking in the county for producing successful MLIS graduates. To quote the UNC-Chapel Hill’s School of Information and Library Science Website, the school’s “leadership in digital curation, information interaction, health informatics, and librarianship drives how information affects society and the world.” Underneath the MLIS umbrella, the UNC-Chapel Hill program’s children’s services offerings are designed to prepare youth services librarians with the skills, resources, and knowledge needed to develop strong 21st century learners in public as well as K-12 school libraries.

2. University of Missouri-Columbia

1. Online or in-person: Online
2. Children’s services in public or K-12 school libraries: Public only
3. Assistance with K-12 school licensure: No
4. ALA Accreditation: Yes
5. Other certifications and related courses offered: Yes; supplemental and elective courses are offered in diverse children’s materials, marketing in libraries, cultural heritage, community partnerships
6. Estimated cost: $561.80/credit hour (all students pay the same online student fees, regardless of where they legally reside)

The University of Missouri-Columbia’s youth-services-focused MLIS program is excellent for working adults looking to pursue a higher education degree, as it is offered entirely online with flexible scheduling. This forward-focused program seeks to enrich the educations of its graduate students by ensuring that they are keeping their fingers on the pulse of changes, trends, and technologies in libraries, teaching, and learning. The University of Missouri-Columbia emphasizes a robust education for its youth services MLIS students, as the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports an expected 6% increase in demand for library media specialists through the year 2031.

3. Syracuse University

1. Online or in-person: Online
2. Children’s services in public or K-12 school libraries: Both
3. Assistance with K-12 school licensure: Yes
4. ALA Accreditation: Yes
5. Other certifications and related courses offered: Yes; besides multiple MLIS pathways to choose from, there are also certificates of Advanced Study in areas such as Data Science, Information Security Management and more offered.
6. Estimated cost: $1,945/credit hour (all students pay the same online student fees, regardless of where they legally reside)

Syracuse University’s online MLIS program has consistently earned high rankings from US News and World Report. The entire online program can also be completed within 18 months, making it a fantastic option for busy working adults seeking an advanced degree within the library and information science field. The school has been ranked third overall for School Library Media programs in the country. It also offers specific pathways for K-12 school librarianship and public youth services librarianship, making it a flexible program with options for prospective librarians trying to enter children’s services positions.

Professional Organizations for Students Pursuing Children’s Librarianship

For current students (and even prospective children’s librarians contemplating starting an MLIS program), looking into some of the professional organizations for youth services in libraries is an excellent place to learn more about the field. 

1. The American Association of School Librarians (AASL)

The AASL, a subsection of the American Library Association, is designed specifically to support school librarians all across America. The AASL offers webinars, conferences, scholarship opportunities, networking, professional literature, advocacy projects, and more to its members.

2. The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)

The ALSC is another subsection of the American Library Association and was organized in 1941. The ALSC offers its members and youth services librarians opportunities for advocacy, scholarships, professional training, conferences, grant funding opportunities, opportunities to serve on ALSC committees, and more.

3. Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)

Yet another subsection of the American Library Association, YALSA has a unique focus on library services for teenagers and young adults. YALSA provides its members with opportunities to participate in networking with other young adult librarians, professional conferences, scholarship opportunities, grant funding opportunities, book and media award lists, professional publications, and more. 

4. Check in with different state library websites for more information about specific committees or groups designed to connect youth services and children’s services librarians together.

Every state has its own version of a state library. Within those large state library systems are subdivisions of specific services, such as children’s and youth services. For example, the State Library of North Carolina (SLNC) serves the entire state of North Carolina and contains many subdivisions and committees, including an entire resource center for librarians specifically providing youth services. Every state has a version of its own state library or library commission that oversees and supports its state’s library systems – searching their main websites is an excellent way to find subgroups, committees, and associations specifically designed to help children’s librarians.