Core Professional Values for the Teen Services Profession
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Foreword
These core values were developed in 2013-2014 by the Professional Values Task Force of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). Members of the task force were Sarah Debraski, Meg Finney, Gretchen Kolderup, Amanda Murphy, Lalitha Nataraj (chair) and Vivian Wynn. YALSA’s Board of Directors adopted the guidelines on June 27, 2015.
Introduction
This document includes nine core values that define professionalism for those who work for and with teens through libraries. Additionally, this document provides examples of sample indicators for practices that resonate with each value. Potential users of this tool include library administrators, teen services library staff, and faculty at graduate schools of library and information science. The tool is not intended to provide a measure of the skills and knowledge that an individual must have in order to be successful in teen services; rather, the Core Professional Values are viewed as fundamental underlying principles that guide the decisions, actions, and behaviors of library staff working with and for teens. The Core Professional Values complements the American Library Association’s Code of Ethics: the Code outlines a broad moral standard for individuals working in libraries, whereas the YALSA values provides further context for those who work for and with teens. “Professionalism in Physical Therapy: Core Values” was consulted when developing this document.
Core Values… |
Value is... |
A person practicing this value... |
Accountability |
Active acceptance of the responsibility for the diverse roles, obligations and actions of the job, including self-regulation and other behaviors that positively influence teens, the profession and the community |
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Collaboration |
Fosters relationships within the library and within the community in order to best serve teens |
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Compassion
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Strives to identify with others’ experiences. Shows concern, empathy, and consideration for the needs and values of others
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Excellence |
Consistently uses current knowledge and theory while understanding personal limits. Integrates judgment and the teen perspective. Embraces advancement, challenges mediocrity, and works toward development of new knowledge |
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Inclusion |
Recognizes and respects the wide variety in people's heritages and lived experiences
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Innovation |
Approaches projects and challenges with a creative, innovative mindset |
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Integrity |
Upholds strong moral and ethical principles. Acts truthfully, fairly, and without ulterior motive |
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Professional Duty |
Committed to meeting one’s professional obligations, to serving the profession and to positively influence the community |
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Social Responsibility |
Promotes the mutual trust between the profession and the larger public. Responds to societal needs as they relate to teens and libraries |
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