Early Childhood Champions!

Public youth librarians have a huge responsibility these days. We carry the future on our shoulders and in our early-childhood programs -- programs for babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. The public library "playing field" for adults is fast becoming uneven. More and more, public libraries are serving middle to lower-income adults who can't afford computers and internet service. The adults who can would rather order their books online from Amazon or use the internet to place requests for library books remotely and then simply come in to check the materials out. But public youth librarians can and do still serve the whole economic spectrum of customers -- be they children at Headstart centers or children of affluent parents, whose mothers can afford not to work and who want to give their progeny the best possible start in life. That's where public youth librarians can step up to the plate and make a difference. By nurturing early literacy skills and the love of reading in the very young from all backgrounds, we can, in the programs we provide, foster a brighter future for all citizens of the diverse nation in which we live and work.