LIS 5183 – Information Resources and Services for Children, Buffy Edwards, Fall 2018
Course Goals:
- Acquire a comprehensive understanding of children’s resources and services
- Become familiar with issues and trends involving children’s resources and services
- Acquire skills and knowledge to effectively implement children’s programs and services
Learning and Skill Objectives:
- Understand competencies required by information professionals working with children
- Identify developmental characteristics and information needs of contemporary children
- Assess the information needs of children from diverse and multicultural populations
- Develop strategies to help parents and caregivers develop early literacy skills in children
- Demonstrate knowledge of a range of information resources for children, from literature, to digital media and technology, to hands-on materials
- Select quality information resources for children using professional tools
- Read and evaluate a variety of contemporary children’s literature from different genres
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills of media mentorship in libraries serving children
- Design children’s programs and activities that engage children in libraries
- Analyze twenty-first century trends in children’s services in relation to society as a whole in order to understand current approaches and hypothesize about future directions
LIS 5183 provided an in-depth understanding of the multiple facets of children’s resources and services. The course, Dr. Edwards, readings, and resources provided information and the skill practice needed to effectively implement children’s programs (Goal 1.3, 1.4, 1.6), acquire appropriate children’s materials for the library (Goal 1.6, 3.4), and meet children’s information needs (Goal 1.1, 1.3, 1.4).
LIS 5183 greatly expanded my knowledge of genres in children’s literature and exposed me to quality books in each genre. This will further my ability to locate, evaluate, and acquire quality materials for a library (Goal 1.6). Much of the exposure was given to children’s print materials, but there was some attention given to digital resources and tools as well. I do hope to gain more knowledge in this area, but LIS 5183 did expand my knowledge of a few digital resources (Goal 1.7).
The course also broadened my knowledge and skills in evaluating library and children’s needs. My knowledge of developmental needs and appropriate practices was expanded (Goal 1.4). I am now more aware of which print material features are needed, and appeal more, to children of particular ages (i.e text size, word count, busyness of illustrations, etc.). I understand the types of books that are most effective for read-alouds. I understand the need for materials that reflect diverse people and populations (Goal 1.5, 3.4).
Finally, LIS 5183 has enhanced my ability to use research and collaboration. The Storytelling Project involved communicating, and working with, a classroom teacher to understand her students’ literacy needs and interests. I was able to use these insights to select an engaging book and props (Goal 1.3, 1.4, 1.8, 2.3). The Final Project also included the evaluation of children’s needs and how the library can work to meet those needs. This project involved in-depth academic research (Goal 1.2, 1.6, 2.1, 2.3) as well as raised awareness of programs and areas currently provided by some libraries. These two assignments required me to complete tasks that I can reflect on as I implement activities and programs in the future.
This assignment allowed me to practice numerous practical skills. I was able to research the needs of children, identify ideas on how other libraries approach these needs, and form a program to meet those identified needs. This program focuses on the need for art and the resulting benefits of exposure to art.
The storytelling assignment was beneficial in numerous ways. I was able to collaborate with a classroom teacher, identify children’s needs and interests, and select an appropriate book. Most importantly, I was able to build confidence in my storytelling ability.
Maegan Heath 