Teen Programs That Work

You CAN do it.No, really. You can!

Angie Manfredi, Los Alamos County Library System

delicious.com/teen.services101 angelina.manfredi@lacnm.us www.fatgirlreading.com checkitoutlosalamos.blogspot.com

Why programs?

YALSA used Harris Interactive to conduct an online poll in June 2007 among 1,262 youth aged 8-18. 32% said they would use their library

more often if there were more activities and events.

The only higher percentage (38%) was related to library location.

Why Programs?

What would you say if you moved to a town, called the library and asked when story time was and the response was, “We don’t really have anything like that.”

The 2 Commandments of Working With Teens

Goodwill counts…and lasts.

If you don’t like the tone, you have the power to change the tone.

The 4 Basic Programming Rules

Let go of expectations.

Keep trying.

Effort counts.

Be consistent but be flexible.

Types of Programs

Literature Craft Gaming Special events More than fun

LITERATURE

TAG, TAB, TAC, YAC: whatever you call it, if your library doesn’t have some kind of teen advisory group that meets regularly, the time to start one is next Monday.

This is core library programming.

Your Teen Advisory Group Can…

Be formal or informal. Happen afterschool, around teens

hanging out: “Hey, can anyone suggest some CDs for the library to buy?”

Can take place online, via e-mail or the library blog/facebook.

“When I Think of the Library I Think…”

““Manga! Anime, computers, and FUN!!!”Manga! Anime, computers, and FUN!!!” ““TAG.”TAG.” ““TAG, CLUB ANIME, WOOT!!! Good TAG, CLUB ANIME, WOOT!!! Good

books, anime, manga, awesomeness.”books, anime, manga, awesomeness.” ““I am very happy and eager to go look at I am very happy and eager to go look at

more books.”more books.” ““Something boreing before TAG, then I Something boreing before TAG, then I

came, fell in love, and have an awesome came, fell in love, and have an awesome reading time.”reading time.”

“TAG is the most awesome-est thing ever because …”

““We’re introduced to lots of new books, and We’re introduced to lots of new books, and get food and fun.”get food and fun.”

““I find book I will never find if I was on my I find book I will never find if I was on my own. I get books before it is on shelfs.”own. I get books before it is on shelfs.”

““You get to look at a different selection of You get to look at a different selection of books than you would usually. Also, you books than you would usually. Also, you get books recomended + that’s cool.”get books recomended + that’s cool.”

““It’s awesome, and we’re rabid about It’s awesome, and we’re rabid about everything.”everything.”

“TAG is the most awesome-est thing ever because …”

““teens get together to discuss the newest teens get together to discuss the newest books. We can also fight each other to see books. We can also fight each other to see who can get the best new books. :P”who can get the best new books. :P”

““I love hearing about books I don’t know I love hearing about books I don’t know anything about, but which I end up loving. I anything about, but which I end up loving. I also like suggesting books, and finding out also like suggesting books, and finding out what other people suggest for me.”what other people suggest for me.”

““We get books to read and we get to talk.”We get books to read and we get to talk.”

An Average TAG meeting Have a general welcome, eat snacks. Review upcoming events. Listen to booktalks (from me) of the

newest books. Sharing time about what they’re

reading/watching/listening to. Draw numbers for first book picking

order Browse books, snack, talk.

The Low-Down

Second Tuesday of every month. An hour for “business”, half an hour

for mingling. Attendance has ranged from 5-25. Open to anyone 13+ Cost: $10 for snacks (they don’t mind

store brands) and lemonade.

Club Anime

For our hardcore manga/anime fans. Meets fourth Thursday of every

month. Hour-hour and a half to watch some

anime, lots of talking!

The Low-Down

Cost: $10 (two boxes of Pocky @ about $3.29 a box, 10 packages of ramen noodles in a crockpot.)

FREE anime from OperationAnime.com (which can also help with screening rights.)

Open to 14+ w/ permission slips. Attendance between 8-18.

Book Club / Author Chat

Stealing Heaven by Elizabeth Scott

me: Kat says: where did you get the inspiration for the me: Kat says: where did you get the inspiration for the character of Dani?character of Dani?

Elizabeth Scott: I actually decided to write about Dani Elizabeth Scott: I actually decided to write about Dani when I got the idea for the story--I wanted to write when I got the idea for the story--I wanted to write about thieves, and I started thinking about the idea about thieves, and I started thinking about the idea and then she just sort of started to come together in and then she just sort of started to come together in my head--who she was, what she liked, where she'd my head--who she was, what she liked, where she'd been, where she wished she was, etc.been, where she wished she was, etc.

Me: Matt wants to know: why did you want to write Me: Matt wants to know: why did you want to write about thieves?about thieves?

Elizabeth Scott: Matt, I wanted to write about thieves Elizabeth Scott: Matt, I wanted to write about thieves because I was interested in the idea of what it would because I was interested in the idea of what it would be like to spend your life stealing things--I mean, be like to spend your life stealing things--I mean, what would it entail? How would you live? Could you what would it entail? How would you live? Could you make a living doing it?make a living doing it?

The Low Down

Cost: Friends of the Library purchased multiple copies.

Usually occurs 3 times a year. A little more engaging and special

than a “regular” book club. Very little technical needs. Good way to get teens REALLY

talking.

Writer’s Group

Spun off from the Book Club. Every other month. Write in group. Used Lynda Barry’s What It Is as a

writing guide. Lower attendance, but draws a

different crowd.

Teen Read Week YALSA sponsors

this annual event. Centered around

teens voting for the “Teen’s Top Ten” list.

2011 theme is “Picture It.”

Oct. 16-22

CRAFTY Drop-in, spur of the moment AND as

part of a larger event. Not crafty? Find someone on staff

who is itching for a new craft challenge. Or look to your community!

Actually, try to avoid the word “crafty” …

Use “project” or “create” or “make.”

Resources ETSY.COM: headquarters of the

handmade revolution, your one stop shop for supplies and ideas.

Cutoutandkeep.net Instructables.com Craftzine.com Keywords like “alternacraft” and

“upcycle” can help you find dozens upon dozens of books.

Like, For Example…

Our Most Popular Project Magnifying Marble. Turned into

necklaces, keychains, pins, earrings, magnets, you name it.

Used words, their own drawings, scrap paper.

The Low-Down

Bought many jewelry supplies in bulk from Etsy for under $10.

Marbles, glue, and magnets are good for several projects, total cost around $25-30.

Started building a “findings” box, supplies in one place.

The Coloring Table

Our Greatest Success

The Low-Down

Cheap! Self-directed/passive programming,

didn’t involve a lot of staff time. Created a “teen coloring book” based

on their suggestions. Changed the library climate. No “expiration” date. If this isn’t “crafty” what is?!

Two Good Gender Neutral Crafts

GAMING Yes, gaming. Will bring them in the

doors. Changes attitudes. What if elderly patrons

wanted to use a meeting room for a weekly bridge game?

Ever played toddler games in programs?

The Low-Down

Investing in a game system can be pricey, but it can also be a long-term library investment.

Or, you can get a used system (certified to work) from Gamestop.com. A complete Gamecube system (controllers and all) runs around $125.

Other Favorites

SPECIAL EVENTS

Book parties Makes an “event” out of a book.

Bookstores have them, why shouldn’t you? With 24 participants, our best attended was the midnight party for Breaking Dawn. 15 people (mostly boys) at our Brisingr event. Can have them around movie releases or older favorites too.

More Vampires? OH GOODIE!

Teens Celebrate Seasons Too…

We just do it a little differently! Anti-Valentine’s Day, our most popular

re-occuring program. Between 20-40 teens attend each year. Make anti-valentines and resist the corporate pink bunny empire!

Death by Chocolate, our Halloween event, where we gorge on chocolate, play chocolate bingo, have taste tests.

Finals Week Ice-Cream study breaks. ($10-20) Open to ALL high school students. Already here studying or just drop by! Remember the existence of books you

read just for fun and look, cool library programs too!

Can be done in a school-library setting too.

Lock-In The “big” event:

Permission required: open to 25, fills up every time.

From 8:00 PM – 12:00 AM. Two staff members, one older teen

employee. Combination of projects, games, snacks,

icebreakers, and a typical TAG meeting. 20 minutes of SSR. “WHEN’S THE NEXT LOCK-IN?!??!”

MORE THAN FUN

Teen Tech Week A chance to explore online safety that

isn’t boring while working with cool new techy stuff.

Job Fair Invite local businesses. Have people

come speak about their careers. Teach teens how to write a resume. We have classes like this for adults already!

And There’s Always …

Pregnant and parenting teens. Teens trying to earn a GED. Incarcerated teens. Teens in foster care/group homes.

They can all benefit from library outreach and services…from library PROGRAMMING.

Most importantly…

What do the teens in YOUR community need?

How can the library be there for them?

Ask your community!

ASK! YOUR! TEENS!

So … why programs?

For more info

Dozens upon dozens of professional titles from ALA Editions, Libraries Unlimited, etc. They’re expensive, but you can ILL them!

delicious.com/teen.services101 angelina.manfredi@lacnm.us www.fatgirlreading.com checkitoutlosalamos.blogspot.com