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Youth Librarianship

All students coming to the Department of Library and Information Sciences for the Master's degree choose a program of study.  This program of study focuses on the foundations of professional preparation with a specialization in library and information services and programming for children and young adults (youth).  Students will have exposure to faculty in a variety of areas of expertise and will have the opportunity for intensive study with a team of professors who specialize in courses targeted to the youth services population.

This program of study is not for students seeks School Library Certification.

There are many opportunities for professional positions in metropolitan, suburban, and rural public libraries and Master's prepared library and information sciences youth specialists also find work in community colleges and academic libraries where they can provide library services to persons in other professions who teach and work with youth and youth-related information services.

The information professional serving youth is first of all fully knowledgeable in the theories, practices and emerging trends of library and information sciences but must also have specialized knowledge of the particular information needs of young people. This program of study focuses on developing the competencies in the following areas specific to youth: 

• the history of youth information services/systems;
• knowledge of the client group; administrative and managerial skills;
• communications skills; materials and collection development; reference services;
• programming skills;
• technology applications;
• advocacy, public relations and networking;
• and professionalism and professional development.

All students who complete the Youth Librarianship Program of Study meet the requirements for the Graduate Academic Certificate in Youth Services, which appears on the student's transcript.  Many students ding this program of study also choose to earn the Graduate Academic Certificate in Storytelling.

General Requirements

1. Total coursework is 36 credit hours (12 courses).
2. Enroll for 120 hours of professional fieldwork (practicum) or verify 6 months of library experience at the professional level.
3. During the final semester before graduation, enroll in Capstone and take and pass the comprehensive examination.

Category	# of Courses	# of Hours
Master's Required Courses	3	9
SLIS 5000 - Introduction to the Information Profession SLIS 5200 - Introduction to Information Organization SLIS 5600 - Introduction to Information and Access Retrieval
Youth Librarianship Recommended Core Courses	4	12
SLIS 5400 - Information Resources Development SLIS 5420 - Literature for Youth SLIS 5440 - Storytelling for Information Professionals And one additional course: SLIS 5210 - Organization and Control of Information Resources I SLIS 5320 - Public Libraries SLIS 5300 - Management of Information Agencies SLIS 5445 - History and Culture of Youth Information Services SLIS 5685 - Information Resources and Services in Culturally Diverse Communities Another course negotiated with the advisor
Electives †	5	15
SLIS 5300 - Management of Information Agencies SLIS 5303.001 Financial and Human Resource Management in Information Agencies SLIS 5302.001 Advanced Management of Information Agencies SLIS 5320 - Public Libraries SLIS 5330 - Academic Libraries (3 hours) SLIS 5445 - History and (Culture) of Youth Information Services SLIS 5410 - Adult Materials and Reading Interests SLIS 5611 - Advanced Storytelling SLIS 5680 - Graphic Novels and Comic for Youth and Adults SLIS 5685 - Information Resources and Services in Culturally Diverse Communities SLIS 5713 - Telecommunications for Information Professionals SLIS 5714 - Website Development SLIS 5960 - Multi-ethnic Materials for Children and Young Adults Other courses as negotiated with the program advisor
Special Notes:
† Electives are selected by the student in consultation with the advisor.  Traditional on-campus, commuting or distance students may take elective courses from both web-based or any on-site course options.  This is not an exhaustive list -- the electives in this program of study are very flexible and students may choose other courses in consultation with the advisor.
Master's Required Courses	3	9
Program of Study Courses	4	12
Elective courses	5	15
Total Coursework	12	36

REQUIRED PROFICIENCIES

Hours are not counted toward degree credit.

Practicum/Field Experience/Internship may be satisfied in two ways: 1. By prior work experience in a library or information work setting and documented by completing the Field Experience Requirement Request for Waiver form. 2. By taking SLIS 5090 Practicum/Field Study (see form).

Entry-level Computer Competencies and Knowledge Skills: May be satisfied by the ITKS Self-Assessment, testing, and experience waiver.

CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE:

The UNT Graduate School requires all Master's students to complete some type of exit examination. In the Department of Library and Information Sciences, this is the Capstone Experience. Complete information about Capstone is located here.

More Information

If you would like to contact us about our programs of study, or would like any additional information about our program, please go to our Contact Us page.