Teens From Outer SpaceTeens From Outer Space

Bringing Young Adults into the Bringing Young Adults into the Public LibraryPublic Library

Who are these kids?Who are these kids?

Characteristics of teens:Characteristics of teens:Ages 12-18Ages 12-18Middle school to high schoolMiddle school to high school6th grade to 12th grade6th grade to 12th grade

What are they like?What are they like?

SocialSocialLoudLoudHungryHungryPhysicalPhysicalTotally different from other library users!Totally different from other library users!……well, not really…well, not really…

Important to keep in mind when working Important to keep in mind when working with teens: R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!!!with teens: R-E-S-P-E-C-T!!!!

““Teens are intellectually and emotionally Teens are intellectually and emotionally more mature than children. Treat them like more mature than children. Treat them like the young adults they are, but expect the young adults they are, but expect occasional lapses in maturity.”occasional lapses in maturity.”

--Minudri & Goldsmith (1999), “Top ten things you need to --Minudri & Goldsmith (1999), “Top ten things you need to know about teens,” know about teens,” School Library JournalSchool Library Journal. P.2. P.2

Matching Library Services to Matching Library Services to Young Adult NeedsYoung Adult Needs

We provide:We provide:

Meeting RoomsMeeting Rooms

Materials to enrich Materials to enrich people’s livespeople’s lives

ProgramsPrograms

They need:They need:

Place to hang outPlace to hang out

Games, books, Games, books, movies, computer movies, computer stations.stations.

Programs *Programs *

Programs--what do they want--Programs--what do they want--besides books?besides books?

Card tournaments.Card tournaments.Art programs.Art programs.Movies with popcorn & soda.Movies with popcorn & soda.Just to be left alone!!!!Just to be left alone!!!!

The next question…The next question…

WHERE?WHERE?

Considerations:Considerations:

Limited spaceLimited space

No separate program roomsNo separate program rooms

Noise policiesNoise policies

Behavior PoliciesBehavior Policies

The Challenge at CorinthThe Challenge at Corinth

Within walking distance of three schools Within walking distance of three schools from elementary to high school.from elementary to high school.

After school, teens often come to the After school, teens often come to the librarylibrary

2 computer stations & study tables in the 2 computer stations & study tables in the Young Adult area.Young Adult area.

4 computers, 3 study tables in the general 4 computers, 3 study tables in the general Youth Services area.Youth Services area.

the challenge at Corinth…the challenge at Corinth…

Anywhere from 10-15 teens show up Anywhere from 10-15 teens show up promptly at 4 p.m. every day.promptly at 4 p.m. every day.

6-8 card players6-8 card players1 romantic couple1 romantic coupleComputer game & chatting for the rest.Computer game & chatting for the rest.

Program room @ Corinth Program room @ Corinth Public LibraryPublic Library

Same room, only with teensSame room, only with teens

The RulesThe Rules

After School Gamer’s After School Gamer’s Zone@CorinthZone@Corinth

GuidelinesGuidelinesPlease speak softly and respectfully to one Please speak softly and respectfully to one

another. Rude language is not acceptable. another. Rude language is not acceptable. Even though this room is somewhat Even though this room is somewhat separate from the main part of Youth separate from the main part of Youth Services, we can all hear you!Services, we can all hear you!

No rough-housing.No rough-housing.No food unless it’s part of a program No food unless it’s part of a program

where we provide the refreshments where we provide the refreshments (movie, book group, tournament).(movie, book group, tournament).

Guidelines, cont’d.Guidelines, cont’d.

The cabinets, sink, puppets and supplies The cabinets, sink, puppets and supplies are intended for other programs. Please are intended for other programs. Please leave them alone!leave them alone!

We’ll provide tables and chairs in the We’ll provide tables and chairs in the room. We know the chairs are on the small room. We know the chairs are on the small side. Computer chairs must stay with the side. Computer chairs must stay with the computers. The wooden chairs stay with computers. The wooden chairs stay with the wooden tables.the wooden tables.

One last guideline…One last guideline…

Physical displays of Physical displays of affection may make affection may make others uncomfortable others uncomfortable and are inappropriate and are inappropriate in a public setting. in a public setting. Even though it’s a Even though it’s a separate room, it’s separate room, it’s still part of the still part of the PUBLIC library.PUBLIC library.

BibliographyBibliography

Note: all articles cited retrieved using William Allen White’s E-Note: all articles cited retrieved using William Allen White’s E-Resources: http//:www.whitelib.emporia.eduResources: http//:www.whitelib.emporia.edu

Kendall,K. (2003). Teen Central: Safe, structured and teen-friendly. Kendall,K. (2003). Teen Central: Safe, structured and teen-friendly. VOYA vol.26 no.5, p.380-381. Retrieved October 21st, 2004, from VOYA vol.26 no.5, p.380-381. Retrieved October 21st, 2004, from hwilsonweb.comhwilsonweb.com

Minudri, R. & Goldsmith, F. (1999). The top ten things you need to Minudri, R. & Goldsmith, F. (1999). The top ten things you need to know about teens. know about teens. School Library JournalSchool Library Journal v.45 no.1, p.30-31. v.45 no.1, p.30-31. Retrieved October 18th, 2004 from Hwilsonweb.com Saunders, M.Retrieved October 18th, 2004 from Hwilsonweb.com Saunders, M.(2003) The Young Adult OutPost: a library just for teens. Public (2003) The Young Adult OutPost: a library just for teens. Public Libraries vol 42 no.2, p.113-116. Retrieved October 21st, 2004 from Libraries vol 42 no.2, p.113-116. Retrieved October 21st, 2004 from hwilsonweb.comhwilsonweb.com

Wagenaar, B. (2004). A room with a view at the Wayzata Library. Wagenaar, B. (2004). A room with a view at the Wayzata Library. VOYAVOYA vol.27, no.3, p.192-193. Retrieved October 18th from vol.27, no.3, p.192-193. Retrieved October 18th from hwilsonweb.comhwilsonweb.com

WebsitesWebsites

Phoenix’s Teen Central:Phoenix’s Teen Central:

http://www.phoenixteencentral.org/http://www.phoenixteencentral.org/

Louisville’s YA OutPost:Louisville’s YA OutPost:

http://www.lfpl.orghttp://www.lfpl.org

Johnson County LibraryJohnson County Library

http://www.jocolibrary.orghttp://www.jocolibrary.org