How do you cater to different age groups in a children's library program?

In my experience, as a long-standing early years practitioner, it's different Stage Groups, not Age Groups, which should form the basis of a children's library program.

Ensure that inclusive spaces for children and their families are available, regardless of their reading or math levels, or their ability to navigate. Comfortable spaces are ones that also allow, as much as possible, adaptation for those who come to specific programs. Whether you have created a homework space that generally remains the same or are planning an event area that can host a story hour in the morning and a craft event later in the day, you should plan the resources you and your staff will need. If library staff are limited in their ability to offer the programs patrons request for children of different age groups, investigate how other groups, such as the library friends or a city rec office, may complement your efforts.

Tech supports reading literacy, at all age levels. However, the best way to apply technology for enrichment or educational activities in the library involves more than putting kids in front of or around computers. Similar to classroom teachers, librarians and staff should have time to prepare for programs in advance. "Lesson planning" in the sense of developing programs allows the library to ensure that they have the resources and software necessary. Years ago, many libraries began to incorporate arts and crafts within the youth services area of the library. Running out of construction paper, glue, and other art supplies is a bad thing. Similarly, not having the resources for makerspace or other tech-related activities will pose problems.

The biggest challenge that many youth services librarians face in smaller libraries, or ones with limited collections or resources, is trying to provide a variety of events for those at different reading levels or age groups. This manifests itself in a couple of different ways: 1. How do you offer programs tailored to one group when you have these limitations? 2. How do you handle these programs for families that have children who fit into multiple age groups? (For example, if you have an 8 year old and a 3 year old, they are not going to do well in a story time for the other age cohort.) Event planning may involve more than the children's librarian and support staff, but also parents, guardians, volunteers, and perhaps interns.