The philosophical underpinning for children's services in all public libraries is that children are entitled to full access to the full range of library materials and services available to any other library customer. The following Competencies make it clear that the children's librarian must do more than simply provide age-appropriate service. Children's librarians must also be advocates for their clientele both within the library and in the larger society, and they must also demonstrate the full range of professional and managerial skills demanded of any other librarians. Each edition of the Competencies has been arranged in a systematic manner beginning with knowledge of the community and client group. This gives a solid foundation for planning and managing.
Communication is always a vital skill to articulate goals and objectives.
Collection development provides the resources for services and programs. Finally, the future of service to children depends on advocacy and professional development. As society changes, so does the public library, and so must the public librarian. Professional growth and development is a career-long process. It is recommended that libraries developing their own competencies or standards for service to children use this document in conjunction with relevant state standards or guidelines.