Must enter this specialization in the Fall Semester.

• About
• Competencies
• MLIS Program of Study
• Field Experience
• Faculty
• Contact
• Financial Assistance
• Resources

For more than 100 years, library services to young people have been a focus of the degree programs offered by the iSchool. Founded in 1901 as a part of the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, the school was first known as the Carnegie Training School for Children's Librarians. By 1919, the School had moved to the Carnegie Institute and the name had changed to the "Carnegie Training School" to include educating other librarians. Nonetheless, the program strongly advocated children's services and continues to do so over 100 years later.

Children’s and Young Adult Librarians are needed today more than ever. Young people live in a world rich in technology and media, where direct contact with an adult who knows books and loves to read is sometimes hard to come by. At the same time, we can’t forget that today’s children are digital natives and they interact with information, story, and the world at large in ways that their parents could hardly imagine. The iSchool acknowledges the changing landscape of children’s and young adult librarianship. Without forgetting our important roots in children’s literature, our school prepares information professionals who can reach out to the child of the 21st century.

What do you need to know in order to be a children’s or youth services librarian?

Several library organizations have determined the core set of skills for information professionals who will work with children or young adults.  At the iSchool, our curriculum is designed to provide students with those mandated skills as well as the theoretical knowledge necessary for leadership in the library profession.

Guidelines for library services for babies and toddlers, children, and young adults.
Children’s and Young Adults Section. International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).

Competencies for Librarians Serving Children in Public Libraries.  Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)

Competencies for Librarians Serving Young Adults. Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA)

MLIS Program of Study

Students interested in working with children and young people will take the five required courses in the MLIS degree:

• LIS 2000 Understanding Information
• LIS 2001 Organizing Information
• LIS 2002 Retrieving Information
• LIS 2700 Managing Libraries & Information Systems & Services in Changing Environments
• LIS 2600 Introduction to Information Technology

Students will also have the opportunity to take seven elective courses, at least four of which should be selected from a group of recommended courses in the Services to Children and Young Adult specialization.

With the remaining three electives, students may choose from outside the specialization, from a wide array of courses in resources, services, management, and technology. Some suggestions for students wishing to work in the public library milieu include:

• LIS 2830 Marketing and Public Relations
• LIS 2332 Resources and Services for Adults
• LIS 2850 Library Instruction (Role in Teaching and Learning)
• LIS 2800 Behavioral Perspectives
• LIS 2901/2902 Individual Research
• LIS 2921 Field Experience

The Field Experience is a 3-credit/150 hour program of supervised professional work. Although not required in the Children’s and Young Adult Specialization, it is highly recommended for students who lack professional experience. Students must have completed a minimum of twelve credit hours in good academic standing in order to register for the Field Experience.

The Services to Children and Young Adults specialization is supported by a team of full-time regular faculty and adjunct faculty, all of whom are experienced practitioners in the field.

The lead faculty member for this specialization is Dr. Leanne Bowler. Dr. Bowler joined the iSchool faculty after being awarded her doctorate from McGill University.  Her research interests are in the areas of children's and young adult library service, family literacy, youth information-seeking behavior, and human computer interaction and youth. 

If you are interested in the Services to Children and Youth specialization, please feel free to contact our Student Recruitment Coordinator at lisinq@sis.pitt.edu or 412-624-3988. 

Scholarships for students specializing in services to children and young adults

The School is fortunate to be able to offer deserving students interested in working with young people a variety of scholarship opportunities. See the Special Scholarships section of the LIS Web Site for information about the Elva Smith Scholarship, Margaret Hodges Scholarship, and the Joan Brest Friedberg Scholarship for Part-time Students that are available through the Department of Library and Information Science, University of Pittsburgh.

Please note that the majority of these scholarships and fellowships are awarded to students starting in the Fall Term.
In addition, the American Library Association provides grant opportunities for students.

The Partners Program

The Partners Program provides students with real-world experience and financial support as they earn their master’s degree in Library and Information Science. In the past, students in this specialization have gained experience at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh, the Allegheny County Library Association and other public library entities.

Elizabeth Nesbitt Room

The School’s collection of rare and historically important children’s literature and media is housed in the Elizabeth Nesbitt Room. Researchers wishing to visit may contact the Head Librarian, Elizabeth Mahoney (etm@pitt.edu)

Early Literacy

Children’s librarians are part of the early literacy team. The School is fortunate to be able to draw upon the expertise of Beginning with Books, a nationally-recognized early literacy organization that is head-quartered in Pittsburgh.

The Internet Public Library (IPL)

The Internet Public Library (IPL) is a digital library on the Internet. As one of the members of the IPL Consortium, our school uses the IPL as an environment for exploring librarianship in the digital age. Visit the KidSpace and TeenSpace at the IPL.

Books and Media for Children and Young Adults

Children’s and Young Adult Librarians work with an amazing array of fun and exciting materials. Visit these sites and explore the world of children’s and young adult books and media.

• ALSC Book and Media Awards
• Best Books for Babies Award
• YALSA Booklists and Book Awards
• The CILIP Carnegie Kate Greenaway Children’s Book Awards
• International Board of Books for Young People (IBBY)

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