OLA Annual ConferenceOLA Annual ConferenceServing Teens Preconference:Serving Teens Preconference:ProgrammingProgramming and and CollectionsCollections

April WitteveenApril WitteveenTeen Services LibrarianTeen Services Librarian

Deschutes Public LibraryDeschutes Public Libraryaprilw@dpls.us

Why offer programs just for teens?Why offer programs just for teens?

Asset buildingAsset building– Create relationshipsCreate relationships– Explore new ideasExplore new ideas– Creative expressionCreative expression– Constructive use of timeConstructive use of time– EmpowermentEmpowerment– Support from Support from

non-parent/teacher adultsnon-parent/teacher adults

http://www.search-institute.org/assets/

Why offer programs just for teens?Why offer programs just for teens?

It’s fun!!It’s fun!!

What do teens want What do teens want in a library program?in a library program?

A chance to show their expertiseA chance to show their expertise– Animanga club, art showsAnimanga club, art shows

A time to hang out with their friendsA time to hang out with their friends– Open gaming, drop-in programsOpen gaming, drop-in programs

A safe place to try something newA safe place to try something new– Crafts, physical activitiesCrafts, physical activities

A way to make their markA way to make their mark– Volunteering, other contributions to the libraryVolunteering, other contributions to the library

Jones, Patrick. Jones, Patrick. Do it Right: best practices for serving Do it Right: best practices for serving young adults in school and public libraries. young adults in school and public libraries. 2001. 2001.

What to expect from What to expect from teen programs at your library:teen programs at your library:

Noise and minor chaosNoise and minor chaos

ShynessShyness

PridePride

New friendshipsNew friendships

Curious parents and Curious parents and

younger kidsyounger kids

Funding and supplying Funding and supplying your teen programsyour teen programs

Approach your library FriendsApproach your library Friends– May want to have those Assets handyMay want to have those Assets handy

Find community partnersFind community partners– Movie/game stores, grocery stores, Boys and Movie/game stores, grocery stores, Boys and

Girls Club, etcGirls Club, etc

Explore your crap…err…craft roomExplore your crap…err…craft room

Teen-run fundraisersTeen-run fundraisers– Last year’s OYEA! award winner raised $1kLast year’s OYEA! award winner raised $1k

Create a budget proposalCreate a budget proposal– Won’t know until you ask!Won’t know until you ask!

Other tipsOther tips

If you’re running into obstacles, take a step If you’re running into obstacles, take a step back and re-evaluateback and re-evaluate

Locate co-workers who may be interested in Locate co-workers who may be interested in helping with teen programminghelping with teen programming

Get your teens involved as much as possibleGet your teens involved as much as possible– Redmond’s COLTs, MCL’s Teen CouncilsRedmond’s COLTs, MCL’s Teen Councils

Keep in close touch with area schoolsKeep in close touch with area schools

Don’t be afraid!Don’t be afraid!

Ideas for Teen ProgrammingIdeas for Teen Programming

RoseMary Honnold’s programming site

Mid Hudson Library’s programming site

YALSA’s professional development and and wikiwiki

Teen services blogsTeen services blogs– Alternative Teen Services – Pop Goes the Library – Card Catalog of Creativity

CSLP summer reading manualsCSLP summer reading manuals

““Teens @ the Library” book series Teens @ the Library” book series published by Neal-Schumanpublished by Neal-Schuman

JournalsJournals– VOYA (VOYA (http://www.voya.com/))– YALS YALS – School Library Journal (School Library Journal (

http://www.schoollibraryjournal.com/) )

Ideas for Teen ProgrammingIdeas for Teen Programming

Questions, thoughts, or Questions, thoughts, or discussion on teen discussion on teen

programming?programming?

Now, Now,

on toon to

collections!collections!

What’s in a teen collection?What’s in a teen collection?Popular series Popular series

Core itemsCore itemsMagazinesMagazines

Recreational non-fictionRecreational non-fictionGraphic novels and mangaGraphic novels and manga

MediaMediaHomework supportHomework support

Variety of reading levels Variety of reading levels Range of age-appropriatenessRange of age-appropriateness

Funds are tight!Funds are tight!

Budget proposalsBudget proposals

FundraisingFundraising

Contact publishers– sometimes they’ll Contact publishers– sometimes they’ll send more than just ARCs (but ARCs are send more than just ARCs (but ARCs are still a great way to keep in touch with teen still a great way to keep in touch with teen lit, and make great giveaways!)lit, and make great giveaways!)

Keep you eyes on the donation pileKeep you eyes on the donation pile

How do you know what to buy?How do you know what to buy?

Professional journalsProfessional journalsVendor catalogs and newslettersVendor catalogs and newslettersYALSA listsYALSA listsYALSA-bk listservYALSA-bk listservBook review websitesBook review websites– teenreads.com teenreads.com – readingrants.org readingrants.org

Other libraries’ reading lists (easy to Other libraries’ reading lists (easy to Google)Google)Ask your teens!Ask your teens!

Other tipsOther tips

Teens like shiny! Display Teens like shiny! Display new books face-out new books face-out whenever possiblewhenever possibleCreate themed Create themed book/media displaysbook/media displaysLocal teen Local teen recommendationsrecommendationsBooklists, booklists, Booklists, booklists, booklists!booklists!

Questions, thoughts, or Questions, thoughts, or discussion on teen collections?discussion on teen collections?