Evaluating Leadership & Professionalism

As I noted a few days ago, I am going to begin an abbreviated version of the YALSA evaluation.  The first category is Leadership & Professionalism.

Each category has a series of Essential Elements which are ranked on a scale of 1 (nonexistent/terrible) to 5 (distinguished).   Below each element is a summary of how our library is doing.  Here we go!

Leadership condensed and enacted.

Essential Elements of Leadership & Professionalism

Young Adult services have developed quite a lot in the past few years, but many libraries are still playing catch-up.  Only recently, I was shocked to realize that I am still the only Teen or Young Adult Librarian in our entire county system.  On this front, at least, we are ahead of the game as many libraries still struggle to come up with the funds, resources, or personnel for any teen services.  These libraries should to take a step forward and recognize this valuable group!

This level of enthusiasm is preferred from all libraries.

Equitable Funds and Staffing Levels - Distinguished (5 pt.)

• Summary:
• The library maintains a budget for Young Adult services and resources proportionate to YA usage and circulation.  While there are always more books we would love to purchase and catalog, the YA collection receives a fair percentage of the allotted budget.
• At least one staff member dedicated to YA services (me!). 

Commitment to Professionalism and Ethical Behavior - Proficient (4 pt.)

• Summary:
• YA staff is up-to-date on policies, code, and professional journals and belongs to a professional organization (ALA).
• The remainder of the library staff is not well-versed in many areas of librarianship (ALA Code of Ethics) and has minimal knowledge of YA areas.

Plan for Personal and Professional Growth and Career Development - Basic (3 pt.)

• Summary:
• There is no professional development plan in place, but there are opportunities for professional development on occasion, such as the workshop the Children's Librarian and I attended recently.

Develop and Supervise Formal Youth Participation - Basic (3 pt.)

• Summary:
• Library uses teen advisers on an ad hoc basis as there is no ongoing Teen Advisory Program.  Generally, I gather information informally from teens who attend programs, the Suggestion Box, or other outlets in the community or online.

Implement Methods to Attract, Develop, and Train Staff Working with Young Adults - Basic (3 pt.)

• Summary:
• Library staff are aware of YA services but are not trained to work with young adults.  While staff hears about events from myself, most do not actively partake in YA services with the exception of general circulation and library duties (and one wonderful Adult Services Librarian who volunteers during teen events).

Status

At a final score of 3.6 points, we're leaning towards Proficient, but we are still in the Basic arena.  We started quite strong!  But by the end it was apparent that the greatest weakness in YA services in the library lies with active awareness of teens in the library

We're doing pretty okay in this area, but there is room for improvement on the fronts of both gathering and disseminating information for teen services.

Looking Ahead

• Create a system to gain more input from teens.  
• Teen Advisory Programs help many librarians gathering ideas and opinions from local young adults while giving these students a chance to be involved, share their voice, and give back to their community.

• Inform staff of Young Adult Services on a more more regular and regulated basis. 
• As our library does not hold staff meetings, this can start through email.  While some of the staff is informed of programming verbally and is aware that it is happening, I can increase background awareness.