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Professional Development for Delaware Library Staff: Children's Services

Definition - WJ Competency Index

Libraries help support the learning needs of young children and their families, schools and caregivers. Libraries and librarians can contribute to a child’s lifetime success. Children's Services staff:

  • Design and implement library services and spaces to meet the needs and interests of children in the community.

  • Articulate and communicate to stakeholders the needs of children to receive quality library service.

  • Define and implement outreach services to increase children’s and families’ use of library services and to reach underserved populations.

  • Work with parents, caregivers and other adults who serve children.

  • Provide tools, resources and support to encourage digital literacy and provide age-appropriate technology services to children.

  • Build a collection designed to meet the needs and interests of children.

  • Establish and pursue strategies to stay informed about current and relevant information resources to meet children’s evolving needs.

  • Facilitate children’s requests for information and provides accurate and appropriate answers.

  • Connect children and their families and caregivers with resources that encourage reading.

  • Design, implement and sponsor library programs that offer information, special skills or entertainment for children and their families and caregivers.

  • Develop and promote learning spaces and programs for children and their families.

The Competency Index for the Library Field includes Children's Services on pages 45-50.

Training Needs Assessment Rankings

Children's Services ranked #12 out of 51 self-identified urgent training needs.  It ranked #22 out of 60 topics staff would like training in.  42% (47) of respondents indicated they would like training at the Beginner level, 31% (35) would like training at the Intermediate level, and 27% (30) would like training at the Advanced level.

As part of Children's Services:

  • 107 respondents indicated they would like training in Collection Development.  43% (46) indicated they would like training at the Beginner level, 30% (32) would like training at the Intermediate level, and 27% (29) would like training at the Advanced level.
  • 106 respondents indicated they would like training in Readers' Advisory.  42% (45) indicated they would like training at the Beginner level, 37% (39) would like training at the Intermediate level, and 21% (22) would like training at the Advanced level.
  • 101 respondents indicated they would like training in Programming.  48% (48) indicated they would like training at the Beginner level, 25% (25) would like training at the Intermediate level, and 28% (28) would like training at the Advanced level.
  • 101 respondents indicated they would like training in Reference.  40% (41) indicated they would like training at the Beginner level, 34% (34) would like training at the Intermediate level, and 26% (26) would like training at the Advanced level.
  • 86 respondents indicated they would like training in Parenting.  50% (43) indicated they would like training at the Beginner level, 31% (27) would like training at the Intermediate level, and 19% (16) would like training at the Advanced level.     

Customer Service Standards

Safety - Provide a safe environment for staff and public, ensuring privacy, confidentiality, and physical well-being.

Courtesy - Treat everyone with kindness and respect.

Knowledge - Be aware of library policies, procedures, and resources.

Efficiency - Provide accurate and timely service with the best use of tangible and intangible resources.

DDL Contact

Jaclyn Hale

Susan Elizabeth Cordle

Sarena Deglin

Online Learning

Summer Learning Challenge

Outdoor story time

Virtual Storytime & Copyright

Even though virtual story time might fall under Fair Use, this does NOT mean that you can archive or save on your website.

Selected Bibliography

Additional Resources

Summer Food Service Program

For Delaware