Youth Librarian as Guide and Sister?

I appreciated this recent reflection on "parenting like a librarian" from Michelle Woo, writing for Lifehacker. In the article she references the work of John Holt, unschooling pioneer, and his belief that parents need to "get out the way" and allow kids to discover.  Woo then compares that advice to how we in the library world do just that: offer diverse choices; don't dictate what to read; take part in the cultural conversation; and help people follow their interests.

Pixabay Image

This dovetails with something I share with grad students in my classes when we examine history and current practice in youth librarianship.

"Precepts and Practices" by Christine Jenkins published in the September/October 1999 issue of Hornbook has a much quoted set of  beliefs or central concepts in children's librarianship  that are part of our history as well as very present in our current librarianship. One of the seven beliefs she explicates is the the belief that children's librarians have "a friendly and unsentimental older sister's attitude towards children."

This particular description is one that often elicits the most discussion and controversy from students. (sometimes I wonder whether its because students might have fraught sibling relationships). So as I teach, I have given alot of thought to this. I think part of this belief description is turning away from the concept of youth librarians as motherly or grandmotherly; away from the concept of youth librarians as bosses; away from the concept of youth librarians as teachers.

Rather, the description enfolds the best of what an older sibling can provide: pathfinding guidance; experience; and support. Woo's article comes at this in much the same way and really speaks to me about how we approach our work with people of any age that use the library.

I like it!

Librarian Stereotypes - Myth Busting

Stephen Abrams shared Kelly Allen's (a Texas University LIS student) Prezi on the depiction of librarians in picture books.  We recently did some youth librarian myth-naming and myth-busting in an online graduate course I'm teaching.  Allen's observations and the illustrations chosen are an interesting eye-opener when you consider this is what our clientele is seeing!

Power and Children's Librarianship

I had a very reassuring conversation at our recent WI Assoc of Public Libraries (WAPL) conference with one of our YSS (Youth Services Section) board members. At the board meeting and meet and greet with our new state youth consultant, one of our veteran members said (and I'm paraphrasing here to get at the gist) that we need to step up into leadership and stop reinforcing the stereotypes of children's librarians as fluffy -headed, deely-bopper wearing characters.

As the young board member and I were talking over the meeting the next day, she said in relation to that comment, "You know, we are already there. You guys fought that battle and it's been won. The newer youth services folks coming in don't feel that same condescension and are already leading." And you know, she is right.

When I was coming up as a young librarian thirty-five years ago, it was unusual to see any youth folks in leadership positions outside of our unit. We were awesome in YSS but you didn't see us active in the WAPL committees and boards or on the larger WLA committee and board.  We were developing leadership skills, camaraderie, networking support systems and life-long friends but we were not doing it outside our specialty. There WAS a patronizing and condescending attitude on the part of our colleagues who served adults. And why not?  We were so insular that who could get to know us? Everyone was pretty happy for the status quo.

Then, about twenty five years ago, YSS people starting waking up and rocking the boat. If we couldn't get elected onto the WLA board, then we needed a seat at the association board to represent youth issues. We fought for it and it happened.  We started nominating our youth mentors for association awards. And they began to win them and be honored for their work with youth. Members began to move from YSS leadership positions and run for positions in WAPL and WLA to be leaders among all types of libraries. We reached out and looked for friends and mentors outside of our youth group and made friends and networks across the association.

Today, it is not surprising that six of the fourteen WLA board members are school, academic or public library youth people.  It is not unusual that three of seven WAPL board members are youth advocates.  It is simply not astounding that youth people running for these offices defeat library directors and adult services people. It is not jaw-dropping when a youth person wins a major association award. New youth folks can enjoy the support of YSS but don't feel constricted by a leadership path that leads only to active participation at the youth services level.

But perhaps most important of all, in a reflection of the larger society, lots of the younger librarians are coming into the profession ready for leadership. They are already connected to networks through twitter, blogs and Facebook. They have taken risks and leadership roles already and approach work in the association and their libraries with confidence and skill sets. They present confidently at state and regional library conferences. They easily balance uber-storytime chops with reporting to the board on successful efforts to reach more families and kids and planning statewide conference programs. They have a quiet - and sometimes not so quiet - confidence in their power and ability to deliver the goods on the many stages of librarianship. They are less likely to wait, and more eager to leap in. Power doesn't dazzle or intimidate them.

Hey Rosie, we did it!!!!  And I like that, yes I do.

Come On In, the Water's Fine

I have been blogging for only about a year now and only seriously since just after the new year.  My colleague the Hedgehog Librarian got me re-motivated when she encouraged me to blog about something I was ranting and muttering about for weeks.  I did and the floodgates opened!

I want this blog to be a place where I can talk about children's librarianship - how to do it good; ideas that sparkle my imagination; news that touches me or silliness that delights me.  I will never have breaking news...many others do that so well, I just need to keep up with my feeds.  I will connect with other children's librarian's blogs and share their great ideas in hopes it will motivate others.

BUT, I want to see more children's librarians blogging and sharing!  Where are you all?!?!   While I love all the book reviewers in the blogosphere (and thank you!)  and the literacy champions that bring it on-  I am still looking to find blogs from people like Abby (the) Librarian; the Imaginary Librarian; Eva's Book Addiction; Story Window Storytime; Keeping Up with the Kids; Come Into Delight; What Adrienne Thinks About That; the incomparable Fuse #8 and a few more who explore their work life. They share news; programs; philosophy; anecdotes; thoughts; musings and so much more that helps me grow as a children's librarian.

Abby got me thinking about all this in her latest post Who Knows Your Blog where she encourages people to blog and be proud of it. So come on in and join us!  And share your favorite children's/teen librarian blogs so we can all keep growing and knowing together. Who else is out there?

Image: 'a tribute to all who helped make+this+day+wonderful!'  http://www.flickr.com/photos/8458705@N04/2983707616