Katherine Scardino’s Professional Growth Plan
Upon graduation I plan to work in a public library, specifically in youth services. This
professional growth plan will look at goals and strategies I plan to implement once I am
in the field. To create goals for my plan I utilized the Competencies for Librarians
Serving Children in Public Libraries from the Association for Library Service to Children,
which is a division of the American Library Association.
Within One Year
Goals Steps and Strategies
Apply for librarian positions in -Search on ALA Job Finder
the area. -Update Resume
-Apply to positions
-Visit branches
-Go through the interview
process
Join communities within the -Gain memberships to ALA,
library science field. YALSA, and a state library
association.
Attend professional -Look into online webinars
development workshops. -Find local professional
development opportunities.
Build programming skills. -Create program plans and
implement them in a branch.
-Collaborate with other
librarians on ideas and plans.
-Utilize online resources,
blogs, websites, etc
Create and build relationships -Spend time at the reference
with patrons. desk to assist patrons.
-Lead programs and
storytimes.
-Treat patrons with respect
and customer service.
-Work to meet their needs
with recommendations,
finding materials, and sharing
information.
Possible Resources
-ALA Job Finder
-US Navy Spouse Job
Resources
-
http://www.ala.org/rt/nmrt/ove
rsightgroups/comm/resreview
/process
-
https://ec.ala.org/membership
/join
-http://www.ala.org/yalsa/join
-WebJunction
-Chicago Teacher-Librarians
Association
http://www.ourctla.org/
-ALA
-https://jbrary.com/
-https://storytimekatie.com/
-
http://melissa.depperfamily.n
et/blog/storytime-blogs-wikis-
sites/
-Observing other librarians
-Practicing over time working
with patrons.

Goals
Update the collection for the
branch I am working in.
Support patrons and their
needs at the branch.
Continue to attend
professional development
workshops.
Learn and stay up to date on
technology trends.
Three Years
Steps and Strategies
-Go through the collection
and weed out older materials
that are not being checked
out.
-Pull books that may need
cleaning or repairs.
-Purchase new copies of
popular books and purchase
new books to add to the
collection.
-Create surveys to learn more
about what they need and are
wanting from the branch.
-Speak with patrons before
and after programs and at the
reference desk.
-Follow up on requests from
patrons to build trust and
respect.
-Look into online webinars
-Find local professional
development opportunities.
-Follow blogs, websites, and
work with other staff
members to learn about
technology.
-Practice using the
technology in different areas
within the branch.
Resources
-
http://www.ala.org/alsc/sites/a
la.org.alsc/files/content/confe
vents/institute/institutehandou
ts/Collection%20Developmen
t%20Handouts.pdf
-
http://libguides.ctstatelibrary.o
rg/c.php?g=163918&p=10768
12
-
https://americanlibrariesmaga
zine.org/2014/05/20/the-
practical-librarians-guide-to-
collection-development/
-Surveys through Google
Forms
-Create paper surveys using
Google Docs or Microsoft
Word
-WebJunction
-Chicago Teacher-Librarians
Association
http://www.ourctla.org/
-
http://www.techsoupforlibrarie
s.org/
-
http://www.ala.org/pla/resourc
es/tools/technology/technolog
y-trends
-
https://www.carnegielibrary.or
g/all-hands-on-tech-
exploring-technology-in-kids-
library-programming/
Integrate outreach programs
with local schools and
afterschool programs.
Goals
Continue to attend
professional development
workshops.
Cultivate strong relationships
with staff members and
patrons.
Continue to cultivate
relationships with local
schools and afterschool
programs for outreach
programs .
-Visit surrounding schools
and afterschool programs
and speak with directors to
see what needs they may
have.
-Plan and create programs
that can be brought to the
schools and after school
centers.
-Create resources that
children can take home and
use there to help promote
literacy and learning skills.
Five Years
Steps and Strategies
-Look into online webinars
-Find local professional
development opportunities.
-Spend time at the reference
desk to assist patrons.
-Lead programs and
storytimes.
-Treat patrons with respect
and customer service.
-Work to meet their needs
with recommendations,
finding materials, and sharing
information.
-Work with and help other
staff members, listen to their
needs, and create a
comfortable working
environment.
-Visit surrounding schools
and afterschool programs
and speak with directors to
see what needs they may
have.
-Plan and create programs
-
http://www.ala.org/pla/resourc
es/tools/community-
engagement-outreach
-
http://www.ala.org/pla/resourc
es/tools/community-
engagement-
outreach/outreach-strategies
-
https://americanlibrariesmaga
zine.org/2018/11/01/outside-
the-box-library-outreach/
-
https://www.webjunction.org/
explore-topics/outreach.html
Resources
-WebJunction
-Chicago Teacher-Librarians
Association
http://www.ourctla.org/
-Observing other librarians
-Practicing over time working
with patrons.
-Team building activities:
monthly staff meetings,
birthday month celebrations,
smaller celebrations of
achievements, staff shout
outs.
-
http://www.ala.org/pla/resourc
es/tools/community-
engagement-outreach
-
http://www.ala.org/pla/resourc
 that can be brought to the
schools and after school
centers.
-Create resources that
children can take home and
use there to help promote
literacy and learning skills.
Create programs that -Reach out to community
integrate community members in the area and ask
members. if they would be willing to
participate in a program or
storytime.
-Ideas: Firefighters, police
officers, sanitation workers,
local therapy dog groups,
military members.
Be able to assist future -Assist if students come in
librarians in learning about with questions, need
the field. volunteer hours, or would like
to learn more about the
library.
http://www.ala.org/alsc/edcareeers/alsccorecomps/
es/tools/community-
engagement-
outreach/outreach-strategies
-
https://americanlibrariesmaga
zine.org/2018/11/01/outside-
the-box-library-outreach/
-
https://www.webjunction.org/
explore-topics/outreach.html
-
https://intentionalstorytime.wo
rdpress.com/storytime/comm
unity-helpers/
-
https://www.slj.com/?detailSt
ory=libraries-invite-dogs-to-
storytime
-Create a quick resource
guide.
-Answer emails in a timely
fashion.
-Look back at how my
supervisor helped me learn
during my practicum.