Realistic Teen services for the over-stretched

Incorporates the setting, the people, the programs, the collection

 

Ellen Snoeyenbos, Duxbury Free Library

ellens@ocln.org

www.duxburyfreelibrary.org/teens/teen.htm

 

 

v      Setting:    

 

1.      Decide that you want teens to hang out at the library. (¼ of all library patrons are teens.[1])

 

2.      Can they get there?  Explore bus drop offs from middle and high school.

 

3.      Advertise, post, declare, reinforce your behavior rules and stick to them.

 

4.      Create a space for them – separate space for study from space to talk.

 

5.      Have bulletin board space for their own art, event listings, feed-back.

 

6.      Have board games, cards, quiz books (The Teen Quiz Book, If Questions for Teens) in area.

 

7.      Designate a “phone home” area. 

 

8.      Give children and teens plenty of time to get a ride before closing.

 

9.      Creating an inviting space for teens to feel comfortable in the library is more important than programming.

 

 

v      People:

 

1.      Give your staff training on talking to teens:     friendly, but clear.

 

a.      Don’t personalize : “We can’t have loud talking here – either quiet down or go outside.” “It’s important to keep feet off the furniture.” “We can’t have [running, fighting, eating, yelling….] here.” “I’ll have to ask you to leave if it continues.”

 

b.      Be real clear and enforce rules with everyone: “Mr. Smith, we’d really appreciate your help in setting the tone for the kids. Could you keep your voice down, please?”  “Skateboards get parked here.” “If you want to stay, you’ve got to follow our rules.”

 

2.      Have signs that clearly explain that you have every right to ask for a name and call a parent.  Be sure teens know that you have no problem calling parents or police.

 

3.      Get to know their names. Introduce yourself, then ask their name. Courtesy, civility, respect.

 

4.      Rules should make sense. Rules need to apply to EVERYONE.

 

v      Programs:

 

1.      Start small. Start with a request or an activity they already do but need space for.

Examples: Coffeehouse, “Magic: The Gathering” card tournament, after-school movie events that might turn into book discussion groups, Anime Festival, Community Service, Manga club, Video club, Comedy club, Dungeons & Dragons, Chess, traditional cards, challenges: The Dark and Stormy Night writing contest: http://www.bulwer-lytton.com/.

 

2.      Food is essential at ALL teen events. You must get permission.

 

3.      Don’t be discouraged. Things take time to find an audience. Keep holding events.

 

4.      Be ready to let go of something that has out-lived its usefulness and/or gotten stale.

 

5.      Make connections with departments at Middle and High School. Booktalking or doing reference instruction can make you a known entity to students, parents, and teachers. Sometimes they are looking for someone else to do an event that they can’t fit into their schedule (contests, after-school activities). They can help promote your programs.

 

6.      Provide research skills sessions for parents AND teens in evening. This supports school and introduces you to your target audience as a friendly resource.

 

v      Collection:        

 

1.      Make sure you have a financial commitment to this age group.

 

2.      Buy stuff that they need for school: classics on tape, AR books. (Gets them in)

 

3.      Buy stuff they can’t get at school: graphic novels, manga, CDs, Anime, magazines.

 

4.      Weed regularly – watch what circulates and get rid of most of the rest.

 

5.      Make lists to reproduce, keep series together, have special collections: Fantasy, Graphic Novels

 

6.      Use genre spine labels. I use a “Yellow Dot” on the spine of books I consider mature content. [This is firmly against the ALA and MLA Standards, but I consider it a vital part of Customer Service to teens and parents. You need to know your community to do this.]

 

7.      To meet the needs of 12 – 18 year olds, overlap your collecting from “older” J into Coming-of -Age Adult content. SLJ, VOYA and KLIATT are good sources for both ends of the spectrum.

 

Bibliography:

 

 


[1] National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). Services and Resources for children and Young Adults in Public Libraries. Washington, D>C>: U.S. Department of Education, Office of Educational Research and Improvement (NCES 95-357), 1995.