Youth Services Program

Welcome to the New York State Library's Youth Services Web Resources. Our goal is to assist librarians in providing services to the youth of their community. We hope to offer resources that support the goals and objectives of youth services librarians throughout New York State. We welcome your comments and suggestions; please contact Karen Balsen.

Goals for Youth Services

Provide quality, equitable service to all young people from birth through High School
Attract new patrons and create lifelong learners and library supporters
Respect children and young adults and treat them with the same courtesy and attention other patrons receive
Supply developmentally appropriate materials and resources
Provide access to current information and communications technology
Promote general literacy and information literacy
Collaborate with other agencies that provide services to young people
Develop programs that meet and anticipate the constantly changing needs of patrons
Recognize that services available for adult users should be provided for children and young adults
Employ well-trained, qualified staff that demonstrate a love and respect for young people
Provide professional development and continuing education for staff members
Advocate for children and young adults

For more information on long-range planning and policies for youth services at your library, see:

Kids Welcome Here! Writing Public Library Policies That Promote Use by Young People. Anne E. Simon, Ed. Albany, NY: New York Library Association, 1990. (; opens in a new window)
Many Moons: A Year of Planning for Youth Services Librarians in Public Libraries in New York State (in .PDF format)

Cyber Safety

A new booklet recently released by the Federal Trade Commission and other government agencies helps parents and teachers steer kids safely through the online and mobile phone worlds. Net Cetera: Chatting with Kids About Being Online was unveiled at Jefferson Middle School in Washington, D.C. by FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz, U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan, and Federal Communications Commission Chairman Julius Genachowski. At the middle school, which is known for its emphasis on science and technology, the officials met with students and teachers to discuss online safety. Net Cetera tells parents and teachers what they need to know to talk to kids about issues like cyberbullying, sexting, mobile phone safety, and protecting the family computer. Talking to kids about these topics can help them avoid behaving rudely online; steer clear of inappropriate content like pornography, violence, or hate speech; and protect themselves from contact with bullies, predators, hackers, and scammers. At bulkorder.ftc.gov, parents can order the printed version of the booklet in bulk.

Internet Safety, from the New York State Education Department's Office of Educational Design and Technology