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Presentation for NLA 2011 Conference.
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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 [email protected]
Questions?
