getting started
- In Plotting: Consider your space and population. My population can't handle snacks, but some people swear by them. My space can't host anything too organized, so sometimes we have to use the meeting rooms. My after-school crowd is clamoring for something to keep them busy, so that's where I maximize. Where can you maximize?
- In Scheduling: Be predictable. If all teens have to remember is a time or a place, it won't even matter what you're doing - once you have a relationship with them, they'll want to be there.
- In Planning: Make it your own. Don't reinvent the wheel. There are lots of great ideas out there - on the Internet, at conferences, in books...take what you want and make it work for your group.
- In Executing: Be flexible. Every group will be different. Adapt to them. Roll with the punches, let them try things that might sound crazy (as long as no one will get hurt), and let them make the program their own.
defending your choices
In a perfect world, the reasons we program for teens would be obvious and accepted by our administrations, our communities, and our fellow staff members. If your world is not perfect, here are some talking points to get you through.
HOMAGO: Hanging Out, Messing Around, and Geeking Out
This is some of the hip, new lingo out there about working with teens. Among other things, this philosophy embodies encouraging teens to work collaboratively in a neutral environment, it supports providing opportunities for conversation and exploration, and gives youth an opportunity to experience hands-on activities with enough structure and guided instruction to help them grow and develop their interests. There is basically no better place to encourage HOMAGO than the public library!
To read more about HOMAGO, check out YOUMEDIA Network or the book, Hanging Out, Messing Around and Geeking Out by Mizuko Ito.
40 Developmental Assets
The 40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents are the building blocks that help adolescents grow into healthy, caring, and responsible adults. Included in the assets are that teens should build relationships with adults outside of their family (like a friendly librarian!), they should understand that the community values them, they should participate in creative activities and youth programs, they should read for pleasure, and be encouraged to develop high self-esteem. Again, the library and its programming are the perfect setting to help teens develop these important assets. To read more, look to the full list of 40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents.
YALSA
YALSA is the Young Adult Library Services Association and they have tons of resources to help you figure out how to advocate for teen services in your library. In particular, you might look to their handout, 60+ Ways to Advocate for Teen Services and their compilation of 28 Days of Advocacy, pulled together from the YALSA Blog in 2009.
HOMAGO: Hanging Out, Messing Around, and Geeking Out
This is some of the hip, new lingo out there about working with teens. Among other things, this philosophy embodies encouraging teens to work collaboratively in a neutral environment, it supports providing opportunities for conversation and exploration, and gives youth an opportunity to experience hands-on activities with enough structure and guided instruction to help them grow and develop their interests. There is basically no better place to encourage HOMAGO than the public library!
To read more about HOMAGO, check out YOUMEDIA Network or the book, Hanging Out, Messing Around and Geeking Out by Mizuko Ito.
40 Developmental Assets
The 40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents are the building blocks that help adolescents grow into healthy, caring, and responsible adults. Included in the assets are that teens should build relationships with adults outside of their family (like a friendly librarian!), they should understand that the community values them, they should participate in creative activities and youth programs, they should read for pleasure, and be encouraged to develop high self-esteem. Again, the library and its programming are the perfect setting to help teens develop these important assets. To read more, look to the full list of 40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents.
YALSA
YALSA is the Young Adult Library Services Association and they have tons of resources to help you figure out how to advocate for teen services in your library. In particular, you might look to their handout, 60+ Ways to Advocate for Teen Services and their compilation of 28 Days of Advocacy, pulled together from the YALSA Blog in 2009.