CORY CASTOE

Professional Goal

 

To become a Children’s/Young Adult librarian at a public library. 

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Program Entry Date

August, 2017

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Projected Completion Date

May, 2020

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Entering the MLIS program at the University of Oklahoma, I knew that I wanted to take courses that would prepare me for a future as a Children’s/Young Adult librarian. These courses have not only qualified me for my chosen career path, but also fostered in me a sense of community and compassion for it. 

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The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), defines youth librarianship through the use of 10 core proficiencies referred to as YALSA’s Teen Services Competencies for Library Staff.

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•  Teen Growth and Development: Knows the typical benchmarks for growth and development and uses this knowledge to plan, provide and evaluate library resources, programs, and services that meet the multiple needs of teens.​ 

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• Interactions with Teens: Recognizes the importance of relationships and communication in the development and implementation of quality teen library services, and implements techniques and strategies to support teens individually and in group experiences to develop self-concept, identity, coping mechanisms, and positive interactions with peers and adults.

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• Learning Environments (formal & informal): Cultivates high-quality, developmentally appropriate, flexible learning environments that support teens individually and in group experiences as they engage in formal and informal learning activities.​

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• Learning Experiences (formal & informal): Works with teens, volunteers, community partners and others to plan, implement and evaluate high-quality, developmentally appropriate formal and informal learning activities that support teens’ personal and academic interests.

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• Youth Engagement and Leadership: Responds to all teens’ interests and needs, and acts in partnership with teens to create and implement teen activities and to foster teen leadership.

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• Community and Family Engagement: Builds respectful, reciprocal relationships with community organizations and families to promote optimal development for teens and to enhance the quality of library services.

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• Cultural Competency and Responsiveness: Actively promotes respect for cultural diversity and creates an inclusive, welcoming, and respectful library atmosphere that embraces diversity.

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• Equity of Access: Ensures access to a wide variety of library resources, services, and activities for and with all teens, especially those facing challenges to access.

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• Outcomes and Assessment: Focuses on the impact of library programs for and with teens and uses data to inform service development, implementation, and continuous improvement.

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• Continuous Learning: Acts ethically, is committed to continuous learning, and advocates for best library practices and policies for teen services.  

 

 

 

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YALSA. (2017). Teen Services Competencies for Library Staff. YALSA. http://www.ala.org/yalsa/guidelines/yacompetencies

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Learning Goals

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1. To learn about the responsibilities of a Children’s/Young Adult librarian.

   • The primary responsibility of a Children’s/Young Adult librarian is to be an advocate for young people, especially in regards to literacy and censorship, and to provide ample opportunities to read and learn about the things that interest them. Additionally, it is the responsibility of a Children’s/Young Adult librarian to  know how to effectively communicate with young people, and not assume to know what they need or want without asking them. Furthermore, a Children’s/Young Adult librarian should work to provide a safe space where young people feel a sense of ownership and value. ​​

   • ​Competencies Met:​

     • Teen Growth and Development​

     • Interactions with Teens

     • Learning Environments (formal & informal)

     • Learning Experiences (formal & informal)

     • Youth Engagement and Leadership

     • Community and Family Engagement

     • Cultural Competency and Responsiveness

     • Equity of Access

     • Outcomes and Assessment

     • Continuous Learning

2. ​​To learn about how libraries are adapting in the face of technology to remain relevant. (Learning Experiences

   • The perception is that because everything is available online or digitally, that print isn’t needed any more. While that’s not completely true, that perception opens a door for libraries to offer more services and to be more engaged in their community.  

   • ​Competencies Met:​

     • Learning Experiences

     • Learning Environments

     • Equity of Access

     • Outcomes and Assessment

     • Continuous Learning

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Learning Objectives

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Listed below are my intended learning objectives, along with the competencies, defined by YALSA, that my objectives meet. 

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1. To understand how library collections are adapting to add physical items that are not books or media.

   1. ​Learning Environments

   2. Equity of Access

2. To learn about engaging programming that fosters community and draws in children and young adults. 

   1. ​Young Engagement and Leadership

   2. Learning Experiences

   3. Community and Family Engagement

   4. Outcomes and Assessment

   5. Continuous Learning

3. To identify methods of giving young adults a sense of community and engagement. ​

   1. Interactions with Teens

   2. Learning Experiences

   3. Youth Engagement and Leadership

   4. Community and Family Engagement

4. To learn not only the needs and desires of the patrons that I serve, but also the ways in which they disseminate information. 

   1. Teen Growth and Development 

   2. Cultural Competency and Responsiveness

   3. Equity of Access

   4. Outcomes and Assessment

   5. Continuous Learning