One of the questions I hear most often from librarians is:
“How do we get kids more invested in the library?”
At North Manchester Public Library in Indiana, Youth Services Librarian Sarah Morbitzer and her colleagues found an answer that has become one of their most beloved programs: Future Librarians. This is a long post, but we owe Sarah big time for sharing the deets on quite possibly the best library program of all time.
Part library school, part leadership program, and part behind-the-scenes tour, Future Librarians gives children the opportunity to learn what happens beyond the circulation desk while developing confidence, responsibility, and a deeper appreciation for their library.
According to Sarah, the results have been remarkable.
“We saw a HUGE difference in some of the students from week one to week five. Kids that came in with their heads held low and were shy about participating in week one were full of confidence and excitement by the end.”
And perhaps most impressively, many graduates have gone on to volunteer at the library—and one even became an employee!
What Is Future Librarians?
Future Librarians is a multi-week program that introduces children to the many roles library staff perform every day.
Participants register once and commit to an entire season of sessions.
“We really tried to keep it to an hour. Once or twice we went over by five minutes.”
The library intentionally limits each cohort to approximately 12 participants.
“That way we can deliver quality instruction and training.”
The program became so popular that waitlists quickly became common.
“We’ve had waitlists of at least two to four participants. We keep their contact information and reach out when the next season begins.”
Session Topics
Future Librarians introduces participants to real library skills through hands-on activities and interactive lessons.
Week 1: Mock Job Interviews
One of the most unique sessions prepares participants for future employment opportunities.
Children learn:
- Professional communication
- Interview skills
- Workplace expectations
- Confidence-building techniques
Download the presentation:
Week 2: Shelving & the Dewey Decimal System
Participants learn how materials are organized and practice shelving like real library staff.
Download Adult Department Manager Jeanna Hann’s presentation:
Week 3: Virtual Programming
To prepare for virtual programming, participants learned the basics of creating an engaging library video—including introducing themselves, sharing their library, and explaining their craft. Working in small groups, the Kid Librarians used scripts as a guide (with plenty of room for improvisation!), assigned roles, and filmed step-by-step craft tutorials that were later shared on Facebook for patrons to enjoy alongside Makerspace-2-Go kits. You can watch an example HERE.
Week 4: Book Tasting & Book Displays
Participants learned what makes an effective book display and explored different themes before creating one of their own.
“To help select books, we hosted a “book tasting” (with cookies!) where kids rotated every three minutes and chose their favorites. They then added personalized labels, updated the books in our system, and worked together to set up their display in the library themselves.”
See Adult Department Manager Jeanna Hann’s slide deck HERE!
Week 5: When a Book Comes Back
“We talked to the kids about the importance of caring for the collection. Then the kids got to empty all the book bins in the building (we had instructed the clerks that day to not do ANY emptying), and had stations set up around the room: an unloading station, a cleaning station (with microfiber cloths and our cleaning solution), and check in station (with laptops and scanners), and a sorting station with labeled carts (i.e. Adult Department materials, Children’s Department materials, Young Adult materials). The kids worked through each station in a rotation with staff members supervising. They REALLY enjoyed the process – especially the check in station! “
Other Topics Included
Reader’s Advisory
Kids learn how librarians help readers find their next favorite book.
They practice recommending titles, discussing reading preferences, and matching books to patrons.
Marketing the Library
Many participants are surprised to discover how much marketing happens behind the scenes.
Future Librarians explore:
- Promotional materials
- Social media
- Event marketing
- Community outreach
[Read: Library Social Media & Marketing Without a Marketing Team: What Actually Works]
Library School
Perhaps the most popular session was Library School.
Participants rotated through stations designed to mimic actual library responsibilities.
According to Sarah:
“The kids worked through each station in a rotation with staff members supervising. They REALLY enjoyed the process—especially the check-in station!”
Stations included:
- Check-in
- Shelving
- Sorting materials
- Department identification
- Customer service simulations
This gave participants the chance to experience library work firsthand rather than simply hearing about it.
Building Ownership and Confidence
One of the most surprising outcomes wasn’t the library knowledge participants gained—it was the confidence they developed.
Sarah shared:
“What surprised staff most about the program was how much fun it was and how seriously the kids took it. They were so proud of their involvement.”
The program also strengthened participants’ connection to the library itself.
“We’ve noticed the kids that completed the program now feel a sense of ownership toward the library. They’re active in programs, seek out volunteer opportunities, and bring their friends to events.”
From Future Librarian to Volunteer
Many graduates continue their involvement long after the program ends.
“We reach out to Future Librarians specifically when we need help because we know they will do a great job and they now know the library.”
This creates a natural pathway into volunteer service and community involvement.
For libraries struggling to recruit teen volunteers, Sarah believes starting younger can make a significant difference.
One colleague noted:
“Our most committed and dedicated volunteers usually fall in the 10–13-year-old age group.”
By creating meaningful experiences before teens become overwhelmed with jobs, sports, and extracurricular activities, libraries can build stronger long-term relationships.
Graduation Day
The program concludes with a graduation ceremony celebrating participants’ accomplishments.
“This was one of my favorite aspects of the program.”
Graduation reinforces that participants have learned real skills and completed something meaningful.
Future Librarians 2.0
The original program was so successful that participants wanted more.
“We created Future Librarians 2.0 due to popular demand. All the participants wanted more sessions and wanted to learn even more skills.”
The advanced program included:
The Card Catalog
Participants learned how catalogs work and how materials are discovered.
Marketing Day
A deeper dive into promoting library services.
Reader’s Advisory & Homebound Services
Helping patrons find books and understanding outreach services.
Processing & Mending
Children learned what happens to materials before they reach shelves and how damaged items are repaired.
Download the presentation:
Downloadable Resources & Examples
“During week one, they got their “staff photo” taken and filled out some information about themselves.” (See example HERE)
“We made up name badges with barcodes for each of them and put them on lanyards. Each week when they walked in the door they would grab their lanyard, “clock in” by swiping it through one of our old clock in machines, and wear it for the duration of class. When the session ended, they would clock out and then take the name badge off and leave it for next week. They also got to keep their lanyard at the end of the program and their laminated photos were displayed on one of the library doors (see HERE) so that all our visitors could see and celebrate our Future Librarians.”
These resources instantly elevate the experience and help participants feel like part of the library team.
What Parents Thought
The impact wasn’t limited to participants.
Parent Alisha B. shared:
“The Future Librarian Program is a wonderful set of classes that both teaches and empowers kids. It quickly became one of our most favorite programs. Our daughter learned about the inner workings of the library, better understands what staff do on a daily basis, and participated in hands-on activities that really brought it all together. She already adored the library, but now with this deeper knowledge, it has embedded an even deeper love for our local library and the people who diligently make it a safe and enjoyable space for us all.”
Budget and Supplies
One of the best parts of this program is how affordable it is.
Most supplies were already available in the library:
- Scissors
- Tape
- Glue
- Pencils
- Notebooks
- Lanyards
- Laptops
When the library added refreshments and graduation gifts, Sarah estimated the cost at:
“Probably about $100 or so per cohort.”
For a program that develops skills, builds confidence, and creates future volunteers, that’s an incredible return on investment.
Final Thoughts
Future Librarians isn’t just a program.
It’s an invitation.
An invitation for children to see themselves as part of the library’s story.
An invitation to learn, contribute, and belong.
And perhaps most importantly, an invitation to imagine themselves as the librarians, volunteers, advocates, and community leaders of tomorrow.
After hearing Sarah’s experience, it’s easy to see why this program has become such a game changer for North Manchester Public Library—and why more libraries should consider creating their own version.
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