Teens And Libraries

"Getting it right means understanding our roles as adults and professionals. Getting it right requires a genuine commitment to youth participation. Getting it right is about shifting our perspective from the library to the community in which it is located. Getting it right makes it imperative that we give teens a place of their own in our libraries."—From the Preface Libraries have opportunities to make a positive difference in the lives of teenage customers and become a primary support for teens in the communities they serve. Truly excellent library services for young adults (YA) need the collaborative efforts of both teens and librarians. To build this partnership, the authors share an inspiring narrative of YA history, and also offer a plethora of new voices and stories that advocate the power of technology and teen spaces. These story lines are then melded to highlight practical tools to involve teens at the library and make a bright future possible. As the authors explore what has been done well—and what hasn't —in the world of young adult librarianship, they identify key issues from the plethora of new voices: How librarians can work with not for young adult customers Why the power of place means actual square footage designed for teens Ways to incorporate technology to achieve developmental outcomes Listening to teen voices to better serve their needs How evaluation and being accountable will close the loop on effective advocacy The authors guide both librarians and administrators to make promises for the future and present a strategy for keeping those promises so that young adult audiences can become active library and community participants. From building partnerships to implementing successful programs to incorporating technology that helps teens assume leadership and responsibility, this is an inspiring yet practical take on what it means to "get it right" for teens in the library.

From a team of experts who have researched the information habits and preferences of urban teens to build better and more effective school and public library programs.

Two authors with more than 20 years of combined experience share their practical experience serving teens in public libraries. Teen Services Today highlights best practices, including resources and references, to quickly implement programs and services to young adults. Although teen services covers ages 12 to 18, a world of developmental changes and interest levels exist within those six short years. Teens offer a range of opportunities for public libraries, not simply as patrons, but also as advocates and volunteers. Special features of the book include: Basic information on the fundamental services and programs for teens Reasons for providing services to teens Examples of successful teen programs, complete with lists of needed supplies and potential costs, that can generally be performed by one or two staff members Checklists and forms Teen Services Today: A Practical Guide for Librarians gives all library staff the tools they need to work with teens. Whether you are the teen librarian, the clerk who’s been assigned to ‘do something’ about teens or the branch manager who sees an underserved population, this book will provide you with the building blocks to create successful relationships with the teens who use your library.

In this collection of essays, staff working directly with teens explore ideas, services and programs that continue to evolve within their libraries. The challenges revealed emphasize the fact that neglecting teen library services risks a future in which libraries themselves are no longer valuable to the community and the potential advocates which todays teenagers will someday become.

Providing tips, suggestions, and guidelines on the critical issues that surround designing spaces for children and teens, this how-to book will help you create a space that they will never want to leave. This must-have guide includes How to select an architect or design professional The importance of including YA librarians in the design and implementation Information on how children and teens view and use space 20 color photos of example spaces Whether your space is large or small, in a library or public place, this resource will give you creative and practical ideas for using the space to its full potential!

It's easy to make assumptions about teens—high school, dating, Mom and Dad in the background, a house, a few siblings, and a beloved pet. But many of today's teens don't fit this all-American image. Designing teen library services based on preconceptions leaves many teens out—from home-schooled and gifted teens to pregnant teens, immigrants, juvenile delinquents, homeless teens, and many others. Anderson, a YALSA Serving the Underserved (SUS) Trainer, shatters the stereotypes, showing you how to customize your library service to fit the needs of diverse teens. After explaining why it's important to reach out to these kids, and contrasting the myths about teens with the realities, Anderson details the diverse groups that make up the category of teen, and the many situations and experiences that define their library needs. She provides step-by-step plans for connecting with these young adults—from creating a positive atmosphere through policies and staff training to building a collection, designing library services and programs, and providing outreach. Interspersed with anecdotes, pertinent statistics, and useful information, this practical work will change the way you think about and work with teens. Grades 6-12.

Sample mission statements, applications, membership cards, parent permission forms, publicity flyers, and newsletters can be borrowed or adapted." "Library directors, school administrators, library educators, and librarians who work directly with teens in school and public libraries will be unable to resist such compelling testaments to the value of library teen advisory groups."--BOOK JACKET.

This collection of thoughtful essays discusses library trends and best practices in creating dynamic, effective, and enjoyable spaces for young adults. Young adult librarians face a wide of array of issues when planning spaces for teen patrons. At the same time, the "digital divide" has shrunk for many Americans in the past decade, and libraries are expected to keep up by providing more open access to mobile technologies, digital books, and online information—certainly a formidable challenge. Make Room for Teens!: Reflections on Developing Teen Spaces in Libraries serves as a thought-provoking tool for librarians who seeking guidance in creating, maintaining, and updating young adult spaces in their libraries. The essays contained within this book discuss the topic in clear language that is free from jargon, emphasizing illustrative (and sometimes humorous) anecdotes, experiential learning, and best practices. Rather than a "how-to" guide, the book provides a comprehensive thought exercise for librarians looking to better understand and create spaces for young adults and teenagers. Subjects addressed include important issues like common space, collection development, and the ways in which teens "own" a space, giving librarians an invaluable understanding of what a library space really "says" to young adults.