The course surveys the range of literature and media published for children, explores children’s developmental reading needs and interests, prepares youth services librarians to evaluate resources across formats and genres, and explores the potential for creating rich literacy cultures in schools and public libraries. 

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Apply knowledge of print, audio, and digital materials in the building of diverse, current collections for children and young adults of all backgrounds and reading levels. (NJAC II, III, VII)
• Critically appraise contemporary American, international, and multicultural authors and illustrators for children (NJAC VII)
• Implement criteria for evaluating excellence in books, sites, and databases for younger readers, with special awareness of varying needs of different kinds of readers and the paramount importance of developing information literacy across platforms. (NJAC I, III, V, X)
• Plan activities and events that demonstrate understanding of the varied interests and abilities of young people and make creative use of library resources to build a culture of literacy (NJAC I, III, X)
• Articulate to a school or public library community, the cognitive, language, and social developmental skills that are enhanced through the appreciation and sharing of literature for children
  (NJAC I, II, V, VII)
• Analyze the efforts and processes involved in creating a book from author/illustrator to final published book (NJAC VII)