In this paper we will outline the findings of our research on the training induction and continuous professional development of a new newcomer in the field of Irish education, the JCSP librarian. The Junior Certificate School Programme (JCSP) is an intervention into the Junior Certificate, our national examination at junior secondary level. The JCSP has been designed to ensure that young people who are underachieving can benefit from their time in school and enjoy the experience of improvement and success. The Programme attempts to help young people experience success and develop a positive self-image by providing a curriculum and assessment framework suitable to their needs. It is a national Department of Education and Science Programme aimed at junior secondary students who may leave school early. Over 220 schools, all designated disadvantaged, are involved nationally. The students involved in the Programme are aged between 12 – 16, their average reading age is 4 years behind their chronological age (Room for Reading.2005). The JCSP Demonstration Library Project emerged from the work of the JCSP Support Service. In 2002 the Department of Education and Science approved the establishment of the Library Project which began with ten libraries.  These are not ordinary school libraries, they are creative, learning centres which aim to re-engage the disenchanted student. The JCSP Libraries are welcoming, comfortable, and dynamic spaces and are stocked with an exciting collection of carefully chosen books and other resources designed to entice and engage the most reluctant teenager. While prioritising literacy development of JCSP students, the libraries also provide a service to the whole school including well stocked teacher resource sections. Professionally staffed school libraries are rare in Ireland outside of private schools. There are currently 30 JCSP school libraries in place. A support framework is being put in place by the support service for the librarians which includes an induction programme as well as specialised literacy training. The development of a new professional learning community of JCSP school librarians is in progress. Such a new development poses certain challenges to the support service. The challenges are fourfold: Training, Induction and integration of a new profession into the school community; Development of an understanding of educational disadvantage; Development of an understanding of literacy difficulties at second level; Development of a skill set for implementing a school library programme which has at its centre the literacy development of JCSP students.

Analysis of evaluations of training already provided Analysis of Librarians' Monthly Reports Librarians Questionnaires Interviews with librarians School visits – Discussions with librarians, JCSP school coordinators, teachers and school

The findings to date are that librarians would benefit from more intensive training in several areas of literacy development: reading testing, the use of age appropriate materials, the psychology of reading, teenage fiction, lesson planning, development of school library plans and also from support in the area of behaviour management. Indications are that professional devlopment should occur earlier and that some should be done in conjunction with the JCSP school coordinator and with other teachers. Research from Britain and US point to the value of staff development across the school if the whole staff is to benefit from the library and the librarian.