It’s been a little bit different for me in the library world. In August I started working in the youth department. Aside from helping out, I have never worked in a youth department of a public library. So far it has been a great experience!

I am responsible for Toddler Storytime, 5th and 6th grade book discussion, additional programs, plus storytimes for school groups. I have some great co-workers that have been helping guide me through everything. So far I have done one 5th and 6th grade book discussion group, have planned and did two toddler story times and was in my first puppet show. (Anyone know some arm exercises for puppeteers? Talk about painful!)

One of the characters I played in the puppet show was this wolf! AH-WOOOOOO!

I have been having a great time with all of it. Surprisingly I haven’t been too nervous either. That was one thing that I thought I would struggle with because I don’t really like being in front of crowds. Somehow it is different in the youth setting though. I think it might be because even though there are adults there, I’m mostly performing for kids.

I have gotten feedback from my co-workers that I’m doing a great job, which is awesome. Between that and my lack of nervousness, I wonder if my mom was right. When I told her I wanted to become a librarian, she told me she always thought I’d make a great children’s librarian. Although I have always loved kids, at the time I didn’t think I wanted to go into youth services. I have worked in this department for a little over two months and I am really enjoying it. This was a great move for me.

My supervisor Kelly’s idea. I painted the tree and the kids used leaf stamps with paint to add the leaves!

Hope all is well in your neck of the woods. If you happen to be in youth services and have any advice for a newbie, please share it with me! I’ll probably be posting the fun things I’m doing. Last month our 5th and 6th grade book discussion was Wonder by R.J. Palacio, so I’d love to share what I did for that on here.

Happy Reading!