Programming.  The term programming encompasses both library-run programs such as storytimes and performers hired to give a show or educational presentation.  As I’ve discussed ad nauseum in past posts, I’ve been focusing a lot of my energy this past year on changing the structure and format of the library’s storytimes to reflect the current philosophies on age division and program content for library storytimes.  Perhaps research in the future will suggest additional changes to storytimes, and it will be important for me to keep on top of that current research and not rest on my laurels.  But also it probably would be a bad idea to change the storytime structure too frequently: patrons like and appreciate a certain amount of predictability in their library programs. 

As for performers, the challenge lies not just in how much your budget can afford (see Part IV of this series), but also in finding those performers who are worth hiring.  There are several great resources available, including the Massachusetts performer’s directory; a new blog that has been established for MA children’s and youth services librarians to leave comments on specific performers (though the blog doesn’t seem to be getting much use or attention, which is a shame); the MASSYAC list serve, which I have found to be extremely useful; and regional roundtable discussions.  I’ve decided that when I receive a performer’s promotional flyer in the mail that looks intriguing, the best course of action is to look through my MASSYAC files for comments on the performer, and to look through my notes from roundtable discussions, and to look at the performer’s directory to see what libraries are listed as places of recent appearances, and then to go to the performer’s website and hope that there is a sample performance video.  If I have any questions after doing all that, it’s worth publishing an open question on MASSYAC and see what responses people have.

Obviously, depending on the size of your budget, you can only hire so many performers a year, and thus much of a children’s room’s programming needs to be library-run.  Some great low-cost, rewarding options include book groups with snacks, movie nights, craft programs, and game hours.

And thus ends this series on what makes a good children’s librarian.  There are many other aspects of being a successful children’s librarian that I could include, but it seems wise to stop here, having covered the major essentials of the job.