Teen Advisory Boards and You!

Teen Advisory Boards and YOU!

Teen Advisory Board (TAB)Youth Advisory Council (YAC)Teen Advisory Group (TAG)Teen Advisory Club/Council (TAC)Teen Library Council (TLC)Youth Advisory Committee (YAC)

Known by Many Names:

Get to know local teensFamiliarity with interests and needsEncourages involvementMeet new peopleProvides staff with a better understanding of

teensSense of responsibility and accomplishment

What Do TABs Accomplish?

Approval can occur in two ways:

Informal

Formal

Approval for a TAB

Increases services to teensAllows teens to be involvedCreates volunteer opportunitiesGather teen demographic statistics

Writing the Proposal

How formal will TAB be?Teen representationEducate peersTeen inputCreative programs and activitiesShort-term and long-term goals

Defining Goals

How will you select members?How will you recruit members?Marketing inside the libraryMarketing outside the library

Setting Up the TAB

TAB = Fun but also seriousTAB = important and specialTAB = “exclusive”Determine basic operating standards

Criteria for TAB Membership

Choose an effective advisorSomeone who enjoys working with teensAdvisor = friend/mentor/supervisor/objective

adult all in oneQualities of an advisor:

Sense of humorEnthusiastic and supportive of teensTreats teens with respect and sincerity

Ready, Set, Get Started!

Biggest challenge to starting a TABDetermine exact age and/or grade level of

members Basic means of recruitment:

Talk to teensHave application form readyPromotional postersVisit schoolsWord of mouthSnacks! “Om-nom-nom”Nominate teens

Recruiting Members

Meet in a comfortable placeCreate an agendaHave snacksMake teens feel welcome and importantDecide how often the group will meet and

whenFollow up with written information

TAB Meetings Tips

10 – 15 minutes for socializingDiscuss ongoing business General teen inputDevelop and plan for upcoming activitiesSnacks

The Agenda

No one shows upOnly a few show upStart off strong . . . now no one comesTeens can’t get along

What If Things Go Wrong!

Mission statementTAB officers TAB projects:

TAB NewsletterTAB WebsiteOther Examples of Projects/Activities

Libraries are NOT Boring

Life-Size Candy Land

Life-Size Candy Land

Life-Size Candy Land

Stuffed Animal Sleepover

Stuffed Animal Sleepover

Stuffed Animal Sleepover

Stuffed Animal Sleepover

Biggest difficulty = teen commitmentReasons why a teen should be on the

library board:Teens are the future library supportersTeens bring fresh opinionsElevate the status of teensTeens gain support for ideas that will bring

more teens to the library and promote teen reading

Teen Representation on Adult Library Boards

Make new friendsGet volunteer hoursMembership looks good on college

applicationsSpecial TAB-only member T-shirtsFood is always a reward!Hold special events just for themSpecial events beyond the library help

develop a cohesive group

Perks of TAB Membership

TABs give teens great opportunities for building the 40 Developmental Assets

Teens are the BEST resource for finding out what your library can do for them

Teens are our future financial supportersTeens need to be heard and will become your

friends and allies if you listen to them

Why You Need a TAB

Give you new and fresh ideasIncrease your knowledge about current

teen patronsMore relevant collection = increased

circulationMore relevant programs = increased

attendanceMore relevant displays = increased circulation

Attract teens who were not previously library users

In the Beginning a TAB Will . . .

Increase passive marketing in the communityProvide assistance at programsShift the perception of the library as “lame”

to a cool place to be

Later On a TAB Will . . .

Provide more outreach possibilitiesIncrease active marketing in the communityIncrease other programming

As It Becomes Bigger TAB Will . . .

Give 5 – 10 minutes of socializing at the start of a meeting

Take notes at meetingsProvide snacks TAB = Fun = Serious TooBe honest with your teensInvite members of the staff, media, and city

officials to meetings

TAB Do:

Don’t get discouragedDon’t let the group be too vague or let them

take on too much at onceDon’t dominate the meeting by talking at the

group Don’t make meetings too serious Don’t set unrealistic deadlines or obscure the

difficulties of achieving certain projectsDon’t become discouraged if the library

budget precludes teenagers or your TAG

TAB Don't:

TAB Application FormTAB Rules and Regulations FormPersonalized Recruitment LetterExample of Print NewsletterMedia Permission SlipPermission Forms for TAB Lock-In

Copies of Forms

Contact:

Lindsey TomsuTeen CoordinatorLa Vista Public Library9110 Giles RoadLa Vista, NE 68128402-537-3900ltomsu@lavistamail.mccneb.edu

Questions?