teens in libraries

Post on 11-May-2015

5.917 Views

Category:

Technology

0 Downloads

Preview:

Click to see full reader

DESCRIPTION

Presented at the Adult Reading Roundtable Workshop on Serving teens in the library. April 2007.

TRANSCRIPT

Be Afraid… Be Afraid… Be Very AfraidBe Very Afraid

Teens and Libraries

Maggie Hommel, Young Adult LibrarianPark Ridge Public Library

mhommel@prpl.org

A Whirlwind Tour…A Whirlwind Tour…

Perceptions of Teens

Perceptions of Libraries

Adolescent Brains

Teens and Technology

How all of this can change how you look at and deal with Teens

““Teenagers are not Teenagers are not luggage: They don’t luggage: They don’t

need handling.”need handling.”

--Edward T. Sullivan--Edward T. Sullivan

R-E-S-P-E-C-TR-E-S-P-E-C-T

Teens deserve as much respect and service as any other patron

What can be done about teens What can be done for teens

BUT, there are several real barriers that make service to teens difficult

Perceptions Perceptions & &

“Great “Great Expectations”Expectations”

Teens Perceptions of LibrariesTeens Perceptions of Libraries

Uncool?

Restrictive

Librarians are mean

Not on their radar

◦Missouri study: 40% rarely go to the library; 43% would go “if they thought about it”

◦YALSA/SmartGirl.org survey: 16% never go

Teens like “inviting spaces, specialized teen areas, food services”

YA Loft survey: #1 was “friendly librarian”

Marketing library well can greatly improve teen perceptions

Teens Perceptions of LibrariesTeens Perceptions of Libraries

Librarians’ (and SLibrarians’ (and S ociety’s) ociety’s) Perceptions of TeensPerceptions of Teens

Negative Portrayals and Stereotypes

◦Teen pregnancy◦Teen drug use◦Underage drinking◦Crime rates◦Sleep Deprivation◦Teenage suicide

Librarians’ (and SLibrarians’ (and S ociety’s) ociety’s) Perceptions of TeensPerceptions of Teens

Fear

◦Ephebiphobia: fear of teenagers or of adolescence, and the prejudice against teenagers or underage adolescents

Librarians’ (and SLibrarians’ (and S ociety’s) ociety’s) Perceptions of TeensPerceptions of Teens

Fear◦Why?

Teens have problems They are disrespectful, loud, rude, disruptive They are always in a hurry They break the rules They come to the library to goof off They don’t make good decisions

Librarians’ (and SLibrarians’ (and S ociety’s) ociety’s) Perceptions of TeensPerceptions of Teens

Fear◦Can these things be said about ALL teenagers?

Could they be said about some adults?

◦How much is perception and how much reality?

◦Developmental and psychological reasons for teen behavior

““Terrible Teens”Terrible Teens”

Adolescent DevelopmentAdolescent Development

Teenage brains are going through similar changes to a two-year-old

Their brains aren’t wired to think logically

There are real developmental reasons for teen behavior

Adolescent DevelopmentAdolescent Development

Be their prefrontal cortex

Adolescent DevelopmentAdolescent Development

Prefrontal cortex: responsible for planning, organizing, complex thinking, and impulse control

Amygdala: responsible for impulsive, emotional, and instinctual behavior

Adolescent DevelopmentAdolescent Development

Teens brains are developing

What they encounter and engage in will affect how their brain develops

“Use it or lose it”

Librarians can play a positive role

Teens & TechnologyTeens & Technology

New Research

◦PEW Project“Teens and Technology”

◦MacArthur Foundation“Digital Media and Learning”

PEW Report“Youth are leading the transition to a fully wired and mobile nation”

◦87% of U.S. teens age 12-17 use the Internet◦51% go online on a daily basis◦81% of Internet users play games online◦76% get news online◦45% have cell phones; 33% text◦IM is preferred to email

Teens & TechnologyTeens & Technology

Teens & TechnologyTeens & Technology

PEW Report

What Librarians should know:

◦Technology is ubiquitous, always on◦Multitasking is a way of life◦Teens are consumers & creators◦Quick information◦Instantaneous feedback & results

Teens & TechnologyTeens & Technology

MacArthur Foundation

Digital Media and Learning:

◦Asked “Are kids different today because of digital media?”

Teens & TechnologyTeens & Technology

MacArthur Foundation

Findings:

◦83% of young people play video games regularly

Teens & TechnologyTeens & TechnologyMacArthur Foundation

Possible Effects on Learning:

◦Teens work on a trial-and-error basis◦Not afraid to fail◦Multitasking◦“Books are not the standard thing for learning

anymore” (quote from a teen)◦Analytical/problem solving skills vs. rote knowledge

Teen Behavior vs. Teen Behavior vs. Library RulesLibrary Rules

Teen Behavior vs. Library RulesTeen Behavior vs. Library Rules

Discipline is part of serving teens◦Take a few breaths◦Don’t appear threatening◦Don’t take it personally◦Apply rules equally across all age groups◦Keep things in perspective and give them

the benefit of the doubt◦Develop relationships with teens

**”Here Comes Trouble” by Susan B. Harden and Melanie Huggins. School Library Journal.

Teen Behavior vs. Library RulesTeen Behavior vs. Library Rules

“Go Against Your Instincts”

Teen Behavior vs. Library RulesTeen Behavior vs. Library Rules

◦Approach the teens that seem the most unapproachable

◦Don’t take anything personally

◦Be the “bigger” person

Teen Behavior vs. Library RulesTeen Behavior vs. Library Rules

◦Don’t make judgments

◦Beware of peer pressure & group mentality

◦Be understanding of teen development

Thank You!Thank You!

Maggie Hommelmhommel@prpl.org

ResourcesResources Adolescent Brain Development Conference, New York Academy of the Sciences:http://www.nyas.org/ebriefreps/splash.asp?intEBriefID=219

Jones, Jami. “Teens Will Be Teens.” School Library Journal. January 2005, p.37. Strauch, Barbara. The Primal Teen: What New Discoveries about the Teenage Brain Tell Us

about Our Kids. (Doubleday, 2003) Harden, Susan B. and Melanie Huggins. “Here Comes Trouble.” School Library Journal. July

2004, p. 32-5. Sullivan, Edward T. “Teenagers Are Not Luggage: They Don’t Need Handling.” Public Libraries,

March/April 2001, p. 75-7. Jones, Patrick. Do it Right!: Best Practices for Serving Young Adults in School and Public

Libraries. (Neal-Schumann, 2001) PEW Research Center Report: Teens and Technology http://www.pewinternet.org

Macarthur Foundation Research on Digital Learning http://www.digitallearning.macfound.org  

top related