Comments on: Teen services and specialization http://libraryriot.com/2008/06/02/teen-services-and-specialization/ The revolution will not be blogged. Tue, 06 Apr 2010 20:55:31 +0000 hourly 1 By: Merriwyn http://libraryriot.com/2008/06/02/teen-services-and-specialization/comment-page-1/#comment-130 Merriwyn Thu, 05 Jun 2008 15:52:48 +0000 http://libraryriot.com/?p=54#comment-130 I agree with E McGrew, I think it is a wonderful luxury. I think that part of the goodness stems from having someone to focus on each group, so they have the benefit of someones full attention (I can dream, can't I?). I also think that if you are lucky you manage to get someone who is good at working with a particular group to focus all their energies on that area, thus utilising their skills. I'm not saying you shouldn't collaborate (it's my favourite way to work), but it is a great way to make sure someone has ownership and makes sure that stuff gets done for each specific user group. I agree with E McGrew, I think it is a wonderful luxury. I think that part of the goodness stems from having someone to focus on each group, so they have the benefit of someones full attention (I can dream, can’t I?). I also think that if you are lucky you manage to get someone who is good at working with a particular group to focus all their energies on that area, thus utilising their skills. I’m not saying you shouldn’t collaborate (it’s my favourite way to work), but it is a great way to make sure someone has ownership and makes sure that stuff gets done for each specific user group.

]]> By: E McGrew http://libraryriot.com/2008/06/02/teen-services-and-specialization/comment-page-1/#comment-126 E McGrew Mon, 02 Jun 2008 21:25:58 +0000 http://libraryriot.com/?p=54#comment-126 As a children's librarian who specialized in YA librarianship in library school, I have to say that niche librarians are a wonderful luxury. I worked in a branch where I did planning on all age levels, and I think I am a better librarian now that I can focus on one individual group. In fact, I specialize further since I am the "Early Literacy" person in my system. I can do many more creative things in my particular area when I don't have to worry about being all things to everyone. It's a lot easier to keep up on professional information and trends in one age group. Especially since the information on what babies need changes about every six months! As a children’s librarian who specialized in YA librarianship in library school, I have to say that niche librarians are a wonderful luxury. I worked in a branch where I did planning on all age levels, and I think I am a better librarian now that I can focus on one individual group.

In fact, I specialize further since I am the “Early Literacy” person in my system. I can do many more creative things in my particular area when I don’t have to worry about being all things to everyone. It’s a lot easier to keep up on professional information and trends in one age group. Especially since the information on what babies need changes about every six months!

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