May enter this specialization in the Fall, Spring, and Summer Semesters.

Librarians working with children and young people in schools and public libraries often have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of those they serve. Many of our children are hungry - not just for milk and graham crackers - but for story. The more affluent are so attuned to computers and technology and video that they don't know about the beginning, middle, and endings of things. The less affluent are just starved -- for hopes and dreams.

Recently a student doing field work with Beginning with Books was with the Storymobile, making a visit to a public housing community. Jon began talking with a youngster (about 6 years old) who had just lost his first tooth. Knowing that there probably wasn't much money in the family, he said, "Be sure to put the tooth under your pillow so the tooth fairy will leave you a penny or two." After a moment's pause the boy looked at Jon and said, "But mister, what if you don't got a pillow?"

Young people today need those who are willing and able to give them something to dream on, even if they "don't got a pillow." Graduates of this program have many opportunities to do just this in schools, public libraries, museums, publishing companies, education agencies and the like.

Students interested in work with children and young people take the five required courses in addition to the following related courses:

• LIS 2322 Resources for Children
• LIS 2323 Resources for Young Adults
• LIS 2326 Storytelling

With the four remaining electives, students are then free to choose from a variety of classes in resources, services, management, technology and LIS 2324 History of Children's Literature is highly recommended. These courses provide students with experiences endorsed by "Competency Statements" from the Association of Library Services to Children and the Young Adult Library Services Association, divisions of the American Library Association.

Some individuals who are interested in young people choose to work in school libraries. In the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, an endorsement on a teaching certificate is the most common avenue for those who want to work in school media centers. For more information on the School Library Certificate Program, visit the SLCP webpage. Also feel free to visit our "Alumni Talk about Their Specializations in Services to Children and Youth" page.

See the Special Scholarships section of the LIS Web Site for information about the Elva Smith Scholarship, Margaret Hodges Scholarship, and the Joan Brest Friedberg Scholarship for Part-time Students that are available through the Department of Library and Information Science, University of Pittsburgh.

To apply online for any of following (below) scholarships, go to http://www.ala.org/work/awards/scholars.html.

Applications are due March 1 of each year.

The Frederic G. Melcher Scholarship provides financial assistance for the professional education of men and women who intend to pursue an MLS degree and who plan to work in children's librarianship. This work may be serving children up to and including the age of 14 in any type of library. Two $6,000 scholarships are awarded annually. The scholarship is made possible by ALSC through generous contributions from librarians, professional associates, friends, and others in the book world, as tribute to Frederic G. Melcher, a great leader in promoting better books for children.

Mary V. Gaver Scholarship(ALA) Award: $3,000, awarded in two payments to the student. Requirements: Must specialize in the field of library youth services; U.S. or Canadian citizen or permanent resident; attend ALA-accredited master's degree program; cannot have completed more than 12 semester hours (or its equivalent) towards a MLS/MLIS/MIS prior to June 1, 2002; personal statement (not more than 300 words concerning your past and future interest, work, and goals in the library and information science field).

The Bound to Stay Bound Books Scholarship provides financial assistance in the form of four $6,000 annual awards (in 2002) for the education of men and women who intend to pursue an MLS or advanced degree and who plan to work in the area of library service to children. This work may be serving children up to and including the age of 14 in any type library. The Scholarship is made possible by the ALSC through the generous contributions of Bound to Stay Bound Books, Incorporated.