Competency #8- Website

The website I chose was the Texas State Library website. I found the TLS website by searching Google for the terms "young adult library services Texas". The TLS website was the second result

The Texas State Library website offers resources and services, as well program and project ideas. Specifically I found a page on their website dedicated to Public libraries and it offers public library statistics and reading clubs suggestions to implement in your library.

What I found most helpful was the page titled "Resources for Librarians" in which I found helpful suggestions for youth services. The youth service page offers helpful suggestions for activities, book clubs, and programs to implement in a young adult library setting.

When I finish my MLS I want to work at with youth services and I know the Texas State Library website will aid me in my career in many ways.

http://www.tsl.state.tx.us/ld/pubs/index.html

Competency #7- Research Visual/MultiMedia

This image is of a graph depicting the percentage of patrons visiting a public library in a typical week that are classified as children and young adults. Children and Young adults account for 40 percent of public library users which is a sizable portion of all users. This data was collected in 1993, but is still congruent with todays data.

That being said, if children and young adult account for so many library patrons how come libraries do not employ more children and young adult specialists? Despite most patrons being children or young adults, only "Two of every five libraries had a children's specialist, 11 percent had a young adult specialist, and 24 percent had a youth services specialists on staff (Figure 6). (NCES, 1995).

As a I want to work in a public library with youth services, this data is immensely important to me. Since public libraries have a huge number of young adult users a young adult specialist should be in high demand.

I found this image on the National Center of Educational Statistics website.
Here is a link to the specific page where I found the image and the data.

http://nces.ed.gov/surveys/frss/publications/95357/index.asp?sectionid=3

Competency #6- Image

I chose this image because it is a good example of a program I could one day offer at my public library. Library's are always trying to develop new and exciting ways to get teens and young adults interested in reading and involved in library programs. This poster does an excellent job drawing on popular and current interests. It's midnight black and blood red colors, as well as the presence of the forbidden fruit is obviously designed to entice readers of the Twilight series to explore a world of similar novels and stories.

I found this image on a blog called Blatant Bibliophile. This poster was designed for the readergirlz, a myspace page devoted to getting girls interested in reading, as they promoted the ALA's Teen Read Week.

I found this image by Googling "young adult library services" under Google images and it was retrieved from the website,
http://blatantbibliophiles.wordpress.com/2008/page/4/

Competency #5- Databases- Successive Fraction Strategy

In the Eric Database I used the Successive Fraction strategy. I searched first for young adult which led to too many records. I then added reference which narrowed my results considerably. I then used ERIC's database to narrow my results by subject and clicked on “library services”. This too, narrowed my results considerably and I found a very helpful and useful article on young adult library services. This strategy worked very well and was extremely efficient. It led me to my results with very little time and effort on my part. The success of the strategy might actually be more attributed to ERIC's database

Competency #5- Databases- Browsing Search Strategy

In LibLit I used the Browsing strategy. In the LibLit's Thesaurus I entered in reference librarians but found way too many hits. I also search for young adult reference librarians, but retrieved to few hits.I revised my search by entering in young adult librarians. Then I clicked on young adult librarians-aims and objectives. This led to five records that were extremely helpful. This strategy is effective, but time consuming. I had to know exactly what term to enter to find what I was looking for, but LibLit made browsing as a search strategy more effective by offering suggestions.

Competency #5- Databases- Specific Facet Strategy

In World Cat I used the Specific Facet strategy. I chose to search for reference librarians with young adult librarians and public library. I then entered the terms in order from most specific facet to least with young adult librarians being most and public library being the least. I entered in the terms young adult librarians and reference librarian in my first search which retrieved 29 hits and then added the facet public library to narrow the results a little more. This search retrieved 10 records all of which were right on target to what I needed. WorldCat worked extremely well at find relevant information in a short amount of time.

Competency #5 Databases- Building Block Strategy

In Jstor I used the Building Block strategy. I entered the search terms (topic) and (library or librarians) and (public) and (reference) must retrieved too many results and many that were not applicable. I removed the () from topic and public library and only search for librarians instead of library. I kept the () around librarians and reference. This searched work better retrieving far less hits and more accurate results.