Services for Children

Library services that target children from birth through teenage years.

Library services that target children from birth through teenage years.

  • The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association, is the world's largest organization dedicated to the support and enhancement of library service to children. ALSC's network includes more than 4,200 children's and youth librarians, children's literature experts, publishers, education and library school faculty members, and other adults dedicated to creating a better future for children through libraries.
  • Children's Book Sequels A-Z arrangment of children's books in series, sorted and searchable by author and series. (non-ALA website)
  • Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) In August 2008 Congress passed this piece of legislation, which seeks to decrease the levels of lead and phthalates in products intended for children under the age of 12 and will be enforced by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).
  • Programming Ideas A short bibliography of resources that provide programming ideas for children's programs.
  • Preschool Storytimes A brief history of when these began and why they are important.
  • Summer Reading Programs Summer reading programs began in the 1890s as a way to encourage school children, particularly those in urban areas and not needed for farm work, to read during their summer vacation, use the library and develop the habit of reading. This page provides resources on setting up and running these programs.
  • Value of Early Reading Programs References and links to the research supporting the critical need for early read aloud activities.