Remember their names

If there is one tip that I could offer new youth librarians, it would be to learn the names of the children who come to your programs. When they come to the library again and you have remembered their names, their parents are pleased that you have noticed their special child and the child feels an instant bond because you know them. A connected circle of encouragement is formed to help nurture the child and enrich his/her library experience. I sometimes write down the names of new attendees on a sticky note and keep the sticky note for the next week's round of programs (as a cheat sheet), in case some of the newbees reappear. It's a very simple thing, but it means a lot to those involved. I stopped trying to remember the caregivers' names a long time ago. It's hard enough for me to remember the childrens' names. And, for some reason, I have real difficulty remembering first names that are like surnames, such as Madison or Parker. But I try. And if I forget, I keep asking what the child's name is until I eventually remember it. When I finally "get" it, instant smiles appear on the faces of the child and his/her caregiver.