Library 2.0 for Teens

What Works, What Doesn't, and What You Can Do

• http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/southsouthwest/ct-met-library-of-the-future-0308-20110307,0,5528757.story

Former president of the Public Library Association Sari Feldman would joke

that “from the time people get their driver's license until their first

baby, the library doesn't see them.”

• http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/southsouthwest/ct-met-library-of-the-future-0308-20110307,0,5528757.story

Technology has changed that, both by

making the library more attractive and by

letting staff spend less time on routine tasks

and more time for customer service.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alachia/4916667666/

Teens need a separate space where they can browse, study, and hang out without feeling they’re being too observed.

Teens need computers, study areas, and a

collection that meets their needs.

Teens need to be reached out to in physical and virtual spaces. We need to find them where they are.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/circulating/1664397249/sizes/o/in/photostream/

Elements of a Great Space

Comfortable Seating

Evanston Public Library Loft

Gail Borden Public Library

http://www.flickr.com/photos/vblibrary/4993069751/

(Mostly) Private SpacesPrivacy to study

Evanston Public Library Loft

Palatine Public Library

Books in a walk throughNo privacy to browse

Northbrook Public Library

Librarian At Desk

Lincoln Belmont Branch

No Desk, No Librarian

Northbrook Public LibrarySkokie Public Library

The Problem with Nonpresence

No seatingNo signageNo service

 

Walls to Write OnSpaces to do “destructive” behaviors constructively

Gail Borden Public Library

YOUmedia

A no tech posting areadigital can become overwhelming and your programs might not get noticed through the noise

Gail Borden Public Library

YOUmedia

Welcoming Signage

Exclusive Use of the Space

ComputersLaptops? Do they have big enough keys for teen boy fingers?

Informal classroom with smartboard. Part of normal fluid space, at the end. If kids show up

late to class, they still get to come. Registration doesn't matter. Classes are for

everyone.

Space to Spread Out

Evanston Public Library

http://www.flickr.com/photos/virtualloft/1414609312/sizes/m/in/photostream/

Gail Borden Public Library

Enough Shelf SpacesWhy is YA the most weeded collection if it has the

highest circ rate?

Teen recommend spine stickers

Book reviews by teens in catalog

Book reviews by teens in BOOKS

Where your collection is located determines how well it moves.

Digital Labs:YOUmedia Case Study

What Can YOUmedia Model Do?“It used to be that kids would come to the library to take information and bring it home. And what we think now is that kids will be bringing information to the library, and using the center here to distribute and share with other kids, other kids who come to the center and other kids throughout the city.”

Mark Neiker, President of Pearson Foundation

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRG2Bf-me6k

Teen Advisory Groups: We Run This Place

http://www.flickr.com/photos/7523813@N07/3998274517/in/photostream/

Note the food…

This is What We Get For Listening to Kids

East Greenbush Summer Reading Program • Market the program

directly to schools before summer break

• Change reading goals from page-focused to time-focused

• Focus on smaller, more appealing prizes

• Librarian's Challenge: Librarian Makeover

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eglibrary/2786451393/in/set-72157606887080076/

 

This is What We Get For Listening to Kids

Summer reading program participation increased by 107%

http://www.flickr.com/photos/eglibrary/2786452301/in/set-72157606887080076/

The Teen/Tween ProblemTeens ≠ Tweens

Many books of Teen programs are programs that work for the 11 to 14 crowd.

Successful programs for that age are easy

This is What We Get For Listening to Kids(and their teachers)

 

Library of GamesManga/Nerd Gaming

Extended study hours (and food) during finals weekCool Craft Programs (duct tape!)

Job fairsCollege and financial aid information on the portal

Word-of-mouth advertisingProm ProgramsPoetry Slams

DDR/CoD/RockBand

This is What We Get For Listening to Kids(and their teachers)

Summer reading program 

 

Cool Teen Book ClubsMeet at local Starbucks instead of the library

Either get the books as ILL so it’s easy for them to get or buy them paperback copies

Skype with another group of kids who read the same book somewhere else

Meet at the high school either before school, at lunch or after school.

Pick populist series books (Hunger Games, Twilight, Maze Runner...) to keep them coming back time to time.

Let students have input on book.

“Teens need their space. They need their own space, a place to feel comfortable, relaxed, and truly at home. This is no exception when it comes to libraries. Without a separate Young Adult section, these teenagers would be shuffled between the babyish feel of the children’s department and the overwhelming sensation of being a part of the adult section. The confusion that is felt during adolescence would only be intensified and the search for identity would get lost when spending too much time searching for an appropriate book.”

-Mamie Alsdurf 101 More Teen Programs that Work (7)