Guidebook 1

Guidebook for Managing Childrens Services

Jessica Branciforte

ILS 521 - Public Library Services for Children

Nancy Disbrow

April 26, 2010


















Guidebook 2

Missions Statement, Goals and Objectives of your Childrens Department


The Cromwell Belden Public Librarys Childrens department serves the children of
Cromwell and other surrounding communities from infancy to young adulthood as well
as parents, teachers and other youth caregivers. The purpose of this department is to
support and encourage the freedom to read, learn and discover in a welcoming
environment. Friendly, knowledgeable service and access to a diversity of ideas,
materials and experiences is provided to the community. The library staff strive to
enhance the quality of life in the community, and to encourage life long learning and a
love of reading.

The Cromwell Belden Library is professionally directed, free public library that
encourages all visitors to explore lifelong learning opportunities and locate recreational
reading materials. Through its collections, services, and programs, it hopes to bring
people of all ages together to share common cultural and educational interests.

Goals and objectives to strive for in the childrens department include serving as the
cultural, educational, and informational resource for the Cromwell community by:
assembling, organizing, and administering collections of information in a variety of
formats; by facilitating free access to its collections; and by encouraging the use of
library resources for reference, education, recreation and personal growth (Town of
Cromwell p.1. 2010).






















Guidebook 3

A Community Analysis: Cromwell, Connecticut

Community Statistics and Information

Cromwell is a small suburban Connecticut town containing about 13,552
residents as measured in the 2008-2009 CT Public Libraries Statistic Profile. The number
of children 5 years and under is around 700, equaling about 5.4 percent of the total
population. Reported as less than 1 year of age are 142 children and reported from the
ages of 5-9 years are 739 children. Children aged 10-14 make up 6.5 percent of the
population. Recorded at 5.6 percent is the group of Cromwell children aged 15-19 years
old.
The school structure for the town has changed within the last ten years and now
has 4 public schools for students entering kindergarten through twelfth grade. The Edna
C. Stevens School contains students in grades K-2, the Woodside Intermediate School
contains students in grades 3-5, the Cromwell Middle School holds grades 6-8 and the
Cromwell High School holds grades 9-12. According to the Cromwell Neighborhood
Profile provided by Yahoo Real Estate, there is a pupil to teacher ratio of 13
(Sperlings Best Places, 2010, p.1).
There are many local community agencies that service children, especially those
that fall in the 2-5 age range and above. Nursery schools and daycare centers include the
Bethany Lutheran School, Pumpkin Patch, the Northwest Childrens Center, Cromwell
KinderCare, and Hilltop Nursery School among others. There are many private day care
provides as well. The Cromwell Recreation Department provides a great deal of service
for families and children with a small budget, including day care services, school
vacation programs and Summer Camp for students aged 3-14.
Guidebook 4

When circulation is broken down by type and age of patron as well as type of materials
selected by that patron, it is easier to depict the age of library users and the frequency of
use. Collection and circulation data are extremely helpful regarding the study of users by
age. Total adult circulation in 2008-2009 was around 62,976 items, while total young
adult circulation was around 3,259 items. This does reflect the percentage of young adults
living in Cromwell, but also speaks to the fact that many may not utilize the library. Total
juvenile circulation was registered at 32 percent of all library circulation. The number of
total juvenile circulation was 39,537 items. To be more precise, the total number or adult
books and serials circulating in the last year was 44,463, the total number of YA books
and serials circulating were 3,218 and the total number of juvenile books and serials in
circulation were 31,000. When it came to the circulation of visual material, YA
registered at zero percent, adults at 13,083 items and children at 7,511 items. There is
also interesting insight to be found in the reported number or children (specified by age)
in attendance at library programs throughout the 2008-2009 fiscal year. There were a
total of 32 programs provided for children aged 0-2 and in total attendance were 551
children throughout the year. There were a total of 67 programs for children aged 3-5 and
in total attendance were 1777 children throughout the year. There were at total of 29
programs provided for children aged 6-14 and in attendance were 648 children
throughout the year. The total number of childrens programs was 128 and the total
number of children in attendance was 2976 (CT State Library, 2010, p.56-64).

Guidebook 5
Community outreach at the Cromwell Belden Public Library happens in a few
different ways. Many family literacy programs are conducted for children aged 0-5,
which assists families with understanding and support regarding the literacy development
of their children. Read-alouds, stories, craft times and summer reading programs happen
often at this library along side very popular programs that help bridge the gap between
pre-school and kindergarten. Community outreach also occurs with programs created
along side Cromwell Town Hall initiatives. The Library presents an annual information
booth with games and literacy packets at the Cromwell Riverport Festival and will often
hold book sales in town in order to make residents and patrons more aware of library
happenings.













Guidebook 6
Personnel and Description of Positions
Head of Childrens Department/ Head Childrens Librarian

Objectives:
Under the supervision of the Library Director, the Head Childrens Librarian plans,
organizes and supervises the library collection and programs for preschool, elementary,
young adult users and teachers, parents and guardians.

Essential Functions:
This position requires the head Childrens Librarian selects, evaluates and orders books,
magazines and recording and other non print materials for children and young adults;
determines locations of materials in collection; evaluates collection for balance and
depth; provides assistance and instruction in use of the digital catalog; in choosing books
and other materials for borrowing and location reference information; cooperates with
teacher in research assignments, and conducts orientation visits of school children, young
adults and teachers. This librarian also oversees cataloging of childrens department
materials.

Collection:
The head Childrens Librarian is expected to develop the childrens collection, weed the
collection and update when necessary.

Programming:
The head Childrens Librarian is expected to initiate, coordinate, conduct and delegate
responsibility for story hours, reading programs, film programs, and crafts and other
activities; prepare and delegate responsibility for book lists, displays and publicity
releases and the creation of informational brochures and questionnaires.

Reference Services:
The head Childrens Librarian is expected to provide reference, readers advisory and
instruction and serve as a resource to parents, schools and community.

Responsibilities within the Childrens Department and included staff:
The head Childrens Librarian is expected to train and supervise library staff and
volunteers, delegate job responsibilities and arranges staff schedules; evaluate staff and
supervise operational procedures.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Thorough knowledge of reader interest levels and broad knowledge of books, authors and
non-print materials related to children and young adults is required. Also required is
considerable knowledge of the resources, procedures and practices of library
administration as well as emerging trends in library services and automation, books and
media. The head of the Childrens Department is responsible for submitting an annual
budget request in an itemized spreadsheet format.

Guidebook 7
Use of Technology:
The Childrens Librarian should be comfortable working with the online cataloging
system, the childrens blog and childrens department section of the library website.
He/she should be able to operate computers, scanners, fax machines, microfilm readers
and reader printers, photocopier, digital cameras, audiovisual camcorder, projector and
speaker system, among other office equipment

Required Qualifications:
At a minimum, expected qualifications for this position include: graduation from college
in addition to the completion of graduate study in library science (MLS degree) from an
accredited library school in addition to two years of experience in a professional library
work environment. This environment would include familiarity with childrens literature
and experience in a responsible supervisory setting or equivalent combination of
education and experience.

Childrens Department Assistant
The Childrens Department assistant should be working toward or already have an
undergraduate degree and should have experience working with children. Assistants
should be comfortable with all library technology including blog and website updates and
should be able to assist patrons in their quest to find or order books. The assistant is
required to run half of the story time programs and help to facilitate and/or prepare for
programs presented by other professionals. The assistant must be familiar with the
collection and able to help with readers advisory and general organization of the
Childrens Department. The Childrens assistance is asked to help with clean up and
organization of toys and books in the Childrens room.

Childrens Department Pages and Volunteers
Volunteers are responsible for the organization of the Childrens Department as a whole,
which includes daily shelving and occasional shelf reading. Volunteers might also be
asked to help keep track of summer reading records or may provide assistance during
busy Childrens Department programs. Volunteers and pages are asked to help maintain
the quality of items by cleaning books, counting items within sets and checking the
working capabilities of digital items like DVDs. Pages and Volunteers are asked to help
with clean up and organization of toys and books in the Childrens room.












Guidebook 8
A List and a Description of the Types of Programs Available

Infant Development and Literacy:
Music and Stories for Ones and Twos
This program meets once weekly for seasonal sessions and does not require registration.
Each infant development program meeting is facilitated by a certified Preschool teacher.
Parents and caregivers are invited to bring in their youngest children to be lead in circle
time and lap sit as stories are read and music is played for them. Families are supplied
with instruments and board books at each of the sessions.

Toddlers and Preschoolers:
Registered Story Times ages Three-Five
Toddlers and parents are invited to a weekly one-hour session where they will work on
thematic units that include thirty minutes of read-a-loud stories and songs, fifteen minutes
of show and tell and fifteen minutes of a hands-on project or craft.
This session can hold 12 participants and requires registration per season session. Each
group meets 15 times. There is an autumn session, spring session and shortened summer
session.

Drop-In Story times
Toddlers and parents are invited to a weekly one-hour session where they will work on
thematic units that include thirty minutes of read-a-loud stories and songs, fifteen minutes
of show and tell and fifteen minutes of a hands-on project or crafts.
This session maxes out at 15 participants and does not require registration. This group is
open to visitors one hour per week at the library. This program occasionally includes
small groups of visiting pre-school students.

Preschool Programming:

Preschool Classroom Visits:
The head Childrens librarian makes outreach visits to any interested preschool or
daycare facility in the Cromwell area. During outreach visits, the librarian might discuss
the library, programs had there and library card ownership. The librarian will also bring a
selection of books to read to students in the classroom.

Preschool Library Visits:
Preschool groups are welcomed to take a library field trip where they are invited to listen
to stories, work on a project and take a tour of the childrens department of the library.
Here they will learn about library card use and the types of materials they can select to
take home. Some classes will let each child select a book to take out on the Preschool
account and the items will be taken back to be shared in the classroom.

Family Nights
Family Night programs invite local families to sign up for an evening of fun and
enrichment at their local library. Themes include science, literature and social studies and
are run by a hired programmer. Occasionally, a family night program might include a
Guidebook 9
family film. Children of all ages are invited to join their parents/guardians for these
programs. Family night programs occur bi-monthly throughout the year and are blended
into the summer reading program during the June, July and August.

Young Adult Programs
Young adult programs are offered to interested children aged 12-16. With an emphasis on
middle school student involvement, the library involves students with book discussions
and clubs, read-a-thons, film showings and ongoing involvement of a teen advisory
board. Students who take part in this board help to advise staff the types of reading
materials, music and movies they feel should be circulating in the young adult
department. This group also helps to involve other young students through publicity and
outreach. The teen advisory board helps with volunteer projects like books sales and
summer reading projects.

Public School and Library Cooperatives
Aside from on-going preschool visits, the library cooperates with the elementary and
middle school study themes throughout the year. Older students are invited to visit the
library for a tutorial on research skills and resource navigation.
Cooperatives also include book groups and study clubs that meet on a regular basis.

Summer Reading Program
The annual summer reading program is often based upon theme suggestions offered by
the state library. Make a Splash at your library, for example, would include programs
based upon this theme among program ideas based on community need. The summer
reading list compiled for the local school system is shared with the library so that titles
can be ordered and borrowed in order to have needed copies. Along side presenting
thematic programs and supporting the titles chosen by the school district, the public
library creates a reading program for local children to participate in. When students read
for a certain number of hours, or compile a list of book titles that they have read
throughout the summer, they are eligible to win library provided prizes.

Disabilities














Guidebook 10
Policies that Pertain to the Childrens Department

Hours of Operation
The Cromwell Belden Public Library is open to the public almost 50 hours per week and
is closed on Sundays throughout the entire year. Business hours include: Mondays from
10am 8pm, Tuesdays 10am-8pm, Wednesdays 1pm-8pm, Thursdays 10am-8pm,
Fridays 10am-5pm and Saturdays 10am-5pm. Summer hours, held from Memorial Day to
Labor Day weekend include the elimination of Saturday openings.

Library Card Policy
All children, aged five years of age and older are eligible for a free library card. It is
necessary that they sign up for a working card with a parent or guardian who can provide
an in-town address. Each replacement card costs one dollar.

Handling Library Material Complaints
If patrons wish to file a complaint about a specified item in the Childrens Room
collection, a complain form must be submitted. This form stays on file with the
department head and library director. The department head will examine the material and
will refer to the set material selection policy.

Circulation Policies
Patrons are welcome to take an unlimited number of books, audio books, VHS tapes, kits,
Playaways, foreign language packets, magazines and music CDs from the library at any
time. DVDs are limited to 3 DVDs per family at one time. All regular circulating items
are given three weeks (and renewal time) for circulation per patron. New books are given
a two week lending period while DVDs are borrowable for one week. DVDs are not
renewable. All other items are allowed for renewal if they are not on hold for other
patrons. Current magazines are non-circulating.

Internet Usage Policy
Parental Responsibility:
As with other print or audio-visual materials, the Internet contains some material that
may be inappropriate for viewing or reading by children. It is the responsibility of parents
or legal guardians of children to supervise access to Internet resources in the Library.
There is not a filter in use for any computer in any department of the library.

Sign-In Internet Policy
Each adult user is required to read and accept the Internet Access/Use Policy of the
library. By signing into an Internet station, you are agreeing to the written policy,
showcased above the sign in log. This policy states:

The library is not responsible for the content of information found on the Internet or for
any damage or financial obligations resulting from Internet use. A parent or legal
guardian is responsible for Internet use by a minor child. The Library does not permit
disruptive, damaging, or criminal behavior, including but not limited to sending or
Guidebook 11
displaying offensive messages or pictures, violations of copyright; unauthorized access to
files or software; damage to equipment; or violations of law.

Persons misusing computer equipment or violating the Internet policy may lose Internet
and computer privileges.

Internet Time Limitations:
Time is limited to thirty minutes per patron while others are waiting to use computer
stations. If there are no patrons waiting to use computer stations, one may use the
computer without time restriction, however: should a waiting patron appear, the sign in
sheet will determine who has been using a station for the longest period of time.

Internet Age Restrictions:
When using the computers and Internet, a child under the age of seven must be
accompanied at the workstation by a responsible person, age fourteen or older. Website
use in the Childrens Department is not monitored or filtered. Parents/Gardians are
responsible for Internet content viewed by children.

Adult Internet Use in the Childrens Department
Workstations in the Childrens Department are intended for use by children. These
workstations are limited to children aged twelve and under, or adults accompanied by
children in this age range.

Printer and Copier Use Policy
Patrons are responsible for all printer and copier costs while using library equipment.
Black and white photocopies and printed pages are twenty cents per page, while color
print outs are fifty cents a page. Should a patron not have the money to pay for print outs
up front, the library will hold these pages for up to one full workday.

Gaming Policy
Patrons aged 12 and older, or those accompanied by an adult are allowed to sign out
gaming equipment for two hours at a time for use in the library program room. Gaming
users are asked to leave their library card at the desk while doing so. Should trouble arise
among players or between players and staff, future gaming privileges may be revoked.

Program Registration Policy
Participating patrons are asked to call or visit in advance in order to sign their child or
family up for a library program. This helps library staff to have an estimate of the number
of people attending and gives them a contact if there is to be a program change. Families
are asked to call up to one hour in advance of the program in order to cancel. Failure to
do so may revoke privileges for future programs that may be popular. Registration is not
necessary for drop in programs.

Study Room and Tutorial Session Supervision policy
Guidebook 12
The minimum age allowed to use study rooms is 12 years of age, or any child under the
age of 12 with adult supervision. Non-profit groups as well as literacy volunteers and
paid tutors may use the study rooms if they are open and available.

Tutors are invited to use any open study rooms for sessions with students, but are not able
to reserve rooms ahead of time. Those interested in study room use are asked to check
with a staff member at the front desk in order to see if the room has been otherwise
booked for the purpose of a library program.

Activities to be allowed in the study rooms include small group meetings, study sessions,
tutorial sessions and literacy instruction.

Unattended Minor Policy
Parents and guardians are responsible for the behavior of their children at all times while
visiting the library and on the library premises. The library staff assumes no
responsibilities for the safety, care, or supervision of children/minors.

An adult must accompany preschool children at all times unless they are participating in a
library-sponsored program where supervision is not mandatory. When children are
attending such programs, parents are asked to stay on the library premises.

Young adults aged twelve and older are permitted to stay at the library without parental
supervision in order to attend programs or use library resources.

Parents and guardians should be aware of opening and closing times and make
arrangements to meet and transport children who have been left unattended at the library.
Children inside the library at closing time will be directed to call their parents or
guardians.

Two staff members will wait with anyone under the age of 14 years old for 15 minutes. If
the parent can not be located or does not respond to a phone message request within 15
minutes, the staff members in charge shall call the police and ask that they take over
responsibility for the child.

The library is not responsible for minors outside the library building who await
transportation. Under no circumstance will a staff member transport minors home or to
any other destination. Should a library program meet offsite, parents are required to
transport involved children to and from that program at the designated time.

Behavior Policy
All children, attended or unattended are expected to respect library property, staff and
other library patrons. Disruptive or inappropriate behavior will result in one warning,
and if this behavior does not subside, patrons will be asked to leave immediately. If
parents are not on the library premises during the disruption they will be notified.

Guidebook 13
In the case of very young children, parents are asked to remove a disruptive child from
the building until the problem is solved.

Respect for Library Property and Other Library Users
All who enter the doors of the library are asked to respect library property and other
library users. This includes being aware of personal volume and behavior as well as each
patrons right to use library space in a safe and comfortable environment. Individuals are
asked to be respectful when handling material, toys and computer equipment.






































Guidebook 14

References

ALA. (2010). ALA policy manual. Retrieved February 20, 2010 from
http://www.ala.org/ala/aboutala/governance/policymanual/index.cfm
Connecticut State Library. (2010, February). Connecticuts public libraries: a statistical
profile, July 2008 June 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2010 from
http://ct.webjunction.org/ct/stats/-/articles/content/87341020
Cerny, R. (2006). Outstanding library service to children: putting the core competencies
to work. Chicago: American Library Association.
Cromwell Board of Selectmen. (2002). Unattended minors policy.
ILS 521 Students. (2010). Class discussion posts. Discussion messages posted to
Elearning Vista; Southern Connecticut State University, archived at
http://vista.csus.ct.edu/webct/cobaltMainFrame.dowebct
Town of Cromwell (2010). Cromwell Belden Public Library. Retrieved February 1, 2010
from http://www.cromwellct.com/library.htm