Recreational reading tends to fall to the bottom of preferred activities for most children unless they are strongly encouraged, year-round , to read for pleasure by having adults who model a delight in reading, free time to read, quality reading material and stimulating programs or presentations that motivate reading. Also the informal interaction between children's librarian and individual child is most meaningful in encouraging reading and forming future attitudes toward libraries. In many libraries only the children's librarian is considered to have sufficient knowledge of the collection to give adequate reader's advisory service to children and homework help and youth information needs are also perceived to be the responsibility of the children's librarian. File Fact Survey on duties and responsibilities in addition to service to children - publicize results 5. This discourages independent reading among children and eliminates their attendance at public library programs.
Public libraries are thus reluctant to offer programming for school age youth except in the summer.
While both schools and public libraries hope to contribute to the development of readers with positive attitudes, their goals and strategies sometimes appear to be in conflict. Librarians may not even be aware of all the reading efforts going forward in their community and certainly such a plethora of programs and promotions must appear chaotic to individual children and their parents. In addition, the reliance of some organizations on reading incentives does not necessarily foster positive attitudes toward reading, only toward earning prizes, thus adding to the dissonance between goals. Many children's librarians have limited opportunities for statewide involvement in professional activities and associations . This limits their growth, increases isolation and weakens associations that advocate for children.