Transcript Riding the Next Wave in YA Services

Metamorphasizing Your Library for teens and tweens:
Transforming your library into a teen magnet
Patrick Jones
Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
www.connectingYA.com
www.connectingya.com

“If I could run the library
for one day I would have
have bands in to entertain
us, workshops like
creative writing programs,
game days so kids could
play Magic the gathering
or D & D, and events for
parents and teens about
college and financial aid.”
--quote from a teen in a
focus group in Minnesota.
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~WHAT’S THE FREQUENCY ~
 WHO
(you, me, them)
 WHEN
 WHERE
 WHAT
(learning
objectives)
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Objectives
I. Objectives
 Answer FAQs about
summer programming for
teens and tweens
 Identify the elements of
successful summer
programs for teens and
tweens
 Investigate techniques
such as booktalking to
attract for teens and
tweens
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Methods
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
Lecture with Power
Point
Discussion with
small group
activities
Handouts and
accompanying
web pages
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WHY do teen after school
programming?
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Increase use of the collection and other core
services
Inform, entertain, and enrich teens
Attract new users or current users to use the
library differently
Promote the library in a positive light in the
community
Increase youth involvement opportunities
Support healthy youth development
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Everything to scale
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Program This!
AGE
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
5%
0-2
13%
21%
23%
3-4
5-6
7-8
20%
12%
5%
1%
1%
9-10 11-12 13-14 15-16 17-18
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WHAT’S THE FREQUENCY:
a how-to-do-it workshop
“But I put
out the
flyer”
-
Stock excuse number
#1 on why a program
or service didn’t meet
expectations.
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Exercise #1
 What
are the
biggest
obstacles to
getting teens
and tweens to
attend
programs?
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WHAT is programming for teens?
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Staff intensive:
Involve a hired presenter:
Use a teen presenter with knowledge or
expertise
Be totally teen planned, implemented and
evaluated.
Be highly interactive on the teens own time
and always available
Be almost spontaneous
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The Developmental
Needs of Teenagers:
1. Physical Activity
2. Competence and
Achievement
3. Self-Definition
4. Creative Expression
5. Positive Social
Interaction with Peers
and Adults
6. Structure and Clear Limits
7. Meaningful Participation
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What types of programs appeal to
teens?
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Cultural Informational –
Educational
Recreational
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
Patrick Jones
http://www.connectingya.com
 Exercise
#2
 Dewey or don’t
we know good
topics for school
age programs?
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
Patrick Jones
http://www.connectingya.com
000
100
200/400
300
500
600
700
800
900
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HOW do you plan teen
programming?
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Ideas
Ask and answer the
5Ws
Implementation
Evaluation
Education
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5W 1H
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WHAT IS THE PROGRAM: (title / description
/ objectives)
WHO IS THE AUDIENCE: (age, gender,
target schools)
WHEN/WHERE WILL IT TAKE PLACE: (date,
time, and location)
WHY WILL IT SUCCEED: (partnerships,
youth involvement, development needs)
HOW WILL BE PROMOTED
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What are
examples of
successful
tween and
teen
programs?
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Connecting Young Adults and
Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
Teen drama club
over the
summer on
weekly basis.
Picked and then
presented a
play. Now,
monthly basis.
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Connecting Young Adults and
Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
Card and comic book club on
Saturday afternoons. Kids
trade with each other and
with library. Play card
games such as magic the
gathering. Door prizes and
refreshments.
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Connecting Young Adults and
Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
LSTA grant buy dig
cameras; grades 4
– 8; set up eye-spy
teams with local
historians; took
photos of historic
sites: zoom in,
wrote clues; on the
web.
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Connecting Young Adults and
Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
During summer, using
Gates computers.
Offered training beyond
use of the Internet to
use programs loaded
on computers.
Instruction in use:
classes they could
sign-up.
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Connecting Young Adults and
Libraries
BEST
PRACTICE
T-shirt decoration:
teens create
their own tshirts to wear
when they
volunteer.
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Connecting Young Adults and
Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
Program in schools a brown bag lunch
program with middle school. Visiting
twice a month, book discussion group
over lunch. Library buys paperbacks for
students. Librarian presented an
award to teacher who organized project.
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Connecting Young Adults and
Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
Poster designing contest for the summer
reading program theme. Anime style
was the winner: got used on the public
relations materials. Teen was then
hired to work at branch.
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Connecting Young Adults and
Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
For Teen Read Week,
photographer took
pix of teens in
various locations
which were then
used in libraries with
slogans on them.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
http://www.connectingya.com
BEST PRACTICE
Mystery night – written her own
script, involving police
department, etc. Clue(Upstart
Doubledog Press Plano
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Connecting Young Adults and
Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
Teen Arcade in Gates
training room
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Connecting Young Adults and
Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
Every time a teen
attends a program
or volunteers, ask
them to give email
address and get
invites to school
programs.
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Connecting Young Adults and
Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
Last September turned volunteens in
puppet performing troupe (puppet
teens). Help prepare scripts, make
props, develop scenery, and perform.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
Library has developed outreach programs with a
wide range of agencies which also serve teens,
such as the workforce center, a program for teen
mothers (New Beginnings), GED/ESL classes, key
contacts in the mental health community,
Juvenile Detention Center including donations of
materials, and educational community/alternative
high school
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
Developed a Mother and daughter book club.
Program recognizes fact found in many
suburban library systems that parents must
be involved or be supportive of teen
programs if they are to provide
transportation.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
. Poetry contest in the spring. YAs could submit
two poems. Capped off by an open mike night to
announce winners (Friends group supply prizes).
Over 70 Yas attended last event. Success due to
teachers getting involved and interested. Also lead
to the publication of the compiled poems. Short
story contest following same plan in the summer.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
. Teen Art Show had over 100
entries. Art put on display in
YA area and all over the
library. Reception held to
honor artists drew over 75
people to the library in the
summer.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
Book discussion groups at the held during the
summer. Teens read books, discuss, and
have interacted with authors via telephone.
One group member now leads a book
discussion group for younger kids. Article
in October VOYA.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
For Teen Read Week, librarians
cooperated with cable access
channel and high school to
produce 30 second “spots”
about using the library
featuring leaders from local
high school .
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
Developed partnership with parks and
recreation department. In their
promotional materials, they advertise
library programs. Similar programs
with community education to promote
library programs.
www.connectingya.com
Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
Received funding from the Arts Council
for an arts project work with artist to
create large scale puppets, involving
students ages 8 – 14. Worked with
special program at high school off
campus supply two teen interns who
interested in art and education
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
Teen summer volunteer
programs which allow teens
opportunity to “manage”
children’s summer reading
program, help with
programming duties, assist
with shelving juvenile
materials, and other tasks.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
. Library publishes “zines” filled with
artwork, reviews, poetry, and short
fiction. These are created and edited
by small groups of teenagers,
primarily high school students which
are then distributed to area schools.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
http://www.connectingya.com
BEST PRACTICES FROM INDIANA
Hammond Public Library
Teen Pizza Game Night After Hours Program
Battle of The Bands program held outside
Funded by Friends of the Library and planned with
Teen Advisory Board
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
http://www.connectingya.com
BEST PRACTICES FROM INDIANA
Programs @ Clinton Public Library
Movie nights (teens help pick and snacks), craft
days (especially during the winter), and summer
reading program (reached out to schools,
partnered with middle school program where
students win prizes and CASH!!). Teens 11 – 18
read over 38,000 pages for the middle school.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
http://www.connectingya.com
BEST PRACTICES FROM INDIANA
Youth involvement @Jasper Public Library
Summer teen volunteer program helped out. This
past year did reading buddy programs. Teens
would sign up to read on Mondays to younger
children, who would sign up. Very successful.
Teens enjoyed it, and continued to show up.
Programs @ Jasper Public Library
Instant winner: put stop on certain books, if teen
checked out book, would win something.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
http://www.connectingya.com
BEST PRACTICES FROM
INDIANA
Programs @ Johnson County
Acting workshop conducted by
library staff member /
community theater member.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
http://www.connectingya.com
Programs @ IMCPL
Teen work with published artist to
create a comic book, each teen
had different tasks. Was
supposed to last only one
month, still going on until
October.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
http://www.connectingya.com
BEST PRACTICES FROM INDIANA
Programs @ IMCPL
. Sidewalk slam: could write poems /
draw art on sidewalk which included
working with artist. Frame art work.
This lead to revamping teen area,
which gives it unique look.
Organized school club (poetry club)
came to event and wants to continue
to help out.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
http://www.connectingya.com
BEST PRACTICES FROM INDIANA
Program @ Westfield
X-box game: hooked up two x-boxes
together, shown on projector, and
they played against each other.
Game was Halo. Also Battle of the
Bands, and henna tattoo. Success
breeds success.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
Programs @
Chess club
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
http://www.connectingya.com
BEST PRACTICES FROM INDIANA
Programs @ Westfield
Intergenerational program of
teens reading to seniors in
nursing homes. YAHOO
program; funded by United
Way youth as resources.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
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BEST PRACTICES IN IOWA
Youth Involvement @ North Liberty
Community Library, North Liberty
Hired a teen library assistant and gave him
responsibility for updating library
webpage (his brother designed the
original webpage as a teen volunteer)
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
http://www.connectingya.com
BEST PRACTICES IN IOWA
@Coralville Public Library
Our TAB members wrote the script and put
together a commercial to promote this
years summer reading program. The
city’s cable guy agreed to film and edit it.
We will be showing it at the junior high
school during morning announcements
and also on the city cable network.
www.connectingya.com
Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
http://www.connectingya.com
BEST PRACTICES IN IOWA
Promotion@Monticello Elementary
School. Took pictures of all the
kindergarteners and first graders with
their favorite books. Also included all
school personnel, secretaries, cooks,
custodians. Put up a bulletin board
before parent teacher conferences that
said “Check Us Out”. Kids loved finding
their pictures.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
http://www.connectingya.com
BEST PRACTICES IN IOWA
@Wilton Public Library. Developed a
Reading Buddy Program during the
summer partnering Teen Board members
with students in Title I reading. Each
week during June and July the students
meet with their partner for half an hour to
read and discuss books.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
http://www.connectingya.com
BEST PRACTICES IN IOWA
Programs@Betttendorf Public
Library/Iowa
Role Playing Group meets every other
weekend for 3 hours. They play D&D,
BattleTech, etc. Library is responsible
for meeting room, promotion and
photocopies. Teens run the games.
Group has been in existence for well
over 5 years.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
http://www.connectingya.com
BEST PRACTICES IN IOWA
Programs@Cedar Rapids Public Library
Mystery Pizza Program: We got cheese
pizzas donated by seven pizza places
and then the kids guessed who made
which pizza. This program attracted
more boys than girls. We also did a craft
program while results were being
tabulated. We got good reviews from
those participating.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
http://www.connectingya.com
BEST PRACTICES IN IOWA
@
Summer reading program prize be
“librarian for a day” – get to behind the
desk, go shopping, buy stuff.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
http://www.connectingya.com
BEST PRACTICES IN IOWA
Collections@ Bondurant Community
Library – Nintendo Game Cube Player and
about 15 games to go with it. Youth, esp.
boys ages 8-15 come to library regularly
to have gameplay time, and from timt to
time they checkout materials and read
the magazines, esp. GameInformer &
Nintendo Power
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
http://www.connectingya.com
BEST PRACTICES FROM INDIANA
Programs @ Monroe County
Garage Band event: get out of the way
of good people and let them do their
jobs. More attention that paid to it
by administration. Spaces in library
designed so teen can hang out. No
need for signs.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
http://www.connectingya.com
BEST PRACTICE
Program @ Mokena Public Library
Teen coffee house program: Held in
activity room. Food and drink.
Wednesdays after school.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
http://www.connectingya.com
BEST PRACTICE
Special Projects @ Stillwater Public Library
Received funding from the Arts
Council for an arts project work with
artist to create large scale puppets,
involving students ages 8 – 14.
Student then used puppet during
summer to put on programs at library
and in the community
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
PROGRAMS
Book discussion groups at the held during the
summer. Teens read books, discuss, and
have interacted with authors via telephone.
One group member now leads a book
discussion group for younger kids.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
YOUTH INVOLVE
Teen summer volunteer programs
which allow teens opportunity to
“manage” children’s summer
reading program, help with
programming duties, assist with
shelving juvenile materials, and
other tasks. Most successful are
those which allow teens
opportunity to be creative.
www.connectingya.com
Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
.Sleepovers at the library; issued library
cards, story times, food, and staff
involvement. Staff was there to
supervise. 11 and 12 year old who
were not primarily library users.
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Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
BEST PRACTICE
PSAT study night: tips on how to take the
PSAT. Teacher from Kaplan.
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Program This!
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Acting class
Author visit by
Anna Pearl Barrett
ASPIRE Olympics
Bats! (Nature to
go)
Bead crafts
Birthday bashes
Blue Gnus
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Program This!
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Ice Cream
Juneteenth
Kid Kix
Kung Fu
Mad Science
Magic show
Magic the
gathering
Modeling with clay
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Program This!
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Clown show
Computer camps
Computer shirt
Father's Day craft
Fly : hip hop dance
FotoFest
Galveston trip
Game Days
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Program This!
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Scrapbook
Sign language
Snakes!
Solar system
SPCA
Stain glass craft
artist Teena
Goldstein
Tie Dye shirt
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www.connectingya.com
Exercise #3
What are your
successful teen
and tween
programs?
What are the elements of developing
successful teen programs?
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Popularity of the topic:
Promotion, not just publicity.
Making connections with what is happening in the
lives of teenagers.
High touch: the best model for teen programs is NOT
story time (we perform; the audience watches), but
toddler time: we provide an interactive experience
consist with the development needs of the child.
Youth involvement:
Define success and expectations
Partnering with schools, school group, and youth
serving organization:
www.connectingya.com
Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
Patrick Jones
http://www.connectingya.com
THE NUMBER
ONE WAY TO
PLAN
DEVELOP AND
IMPLEMENT A
SUCCESSFUL
SCHOOL AGE
PROGRAM:
www.connectingya.com
Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
Patrick Jones
http://www.connectingya.com
THE PROGRAMMING
TAPESTRY
 RECREATIONAL
 EDUCATIONAL
 CULTURAL
 BUSINESS
 YOUTH SERVING
www.connectingya.com
Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
Patrick Jones
http://www.connectingya.com
PARTNERSHIP
ROLES
 COMMUNICATIVE
 COOPERATIVE
 COLLOBRATIVE
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An equation for programming
success
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Collections plus cooperation plus
customer focus equals success
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Don’t Tell, Sell:
The importance of booktalking
Patrick Jones
Connecting Young Adults and
Libraries
www.connectingya.com
Don't Tell, Sell
FAQ’S
1. What is booktalking?
2. Who is the audience?
3. What are the models?
4. What are the rules?
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Don't Tell, Sell
FAQ’S
1. What is booktalking?
What it is and
What it is not
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Don't Tell, Sell
FAQ’S
2. Who is the audience?
Teens
 Teachers
 Tepid managers
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Don't Tell, Sell
FAQ’S
3 What are the models?
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Blurbs
Music
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Trailers
WWF
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Comics
Stories
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Don't Tell, Sell
FAQ’S
4. What are the rules?
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Do’s
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Don’ts
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Types
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Don't Tell, Sell
FAQ’S
Types
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Mood
Plot
Scene
Character
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Don't Tell, Sell
3 Golden rules
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Remember the
audience’s wants
Remember the
audience’s needs
Be dramatic, not
theatrical
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Don't Tell, Sell
Preparing
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Reading
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Writing
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Performing
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Don't Tell, Sell
Preparing
Reading
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Themes
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Lists
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Collection sitters
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Reviews/booktalks
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Don't Tell, Sell
Preparing
Writing
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Start with the ending
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Write backwards
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Notes/index cards
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Look for the hook
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Don't Tell, Sell
Preparing
Performing
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Set rules
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Relax and enjoy
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Be realistic
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Learn from mistakes
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Don't Tell, Sell
Improving
1. Learning the hooks
2. Learning the books
3. Learning the elements
of success
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Cliffhanger

Crazy Horse
Electric Game by
Chris Crutcher
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Repetition
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Blood and
Chocolate by
Annette Curtis
Klause
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Unexpected
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The Silver Kiss by
Annette Curtis
Klause
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Know a secret
Staying
Fat for
Sarah Brynes
by Chris
Crutcher
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Don't Tell, Sell
Improving
Learning the hooks
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The Surprise Party
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Don't Tell, Sell
Improving
Learning the books
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What authors work
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When and where
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Core list
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Don't Tell, Sell
Improving
Learning the elements of
success
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Know the crowd, not too
proud/too loud.
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Speak to feelings, not lofty
ceilings.
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Don't just speak out; seek
out.
www.connectingya.com
Don't Tell, Sell
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Use your style, not cards
from a file.
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Think stage, not printed
page.
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Be yourself, lose yourself.
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No matter what you try,
answer the questions "why"
Find the hook, push the
book.
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Don't tell, sell. .
Don't Tell, Sell
PREPARING
PRESENTATIONS
1. Questions to ask
2. How to
begin/end/survive
3. What to
include/what to
leave out
4. Problems/solutions
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Don't Tell, Sell
PREPARING
PRESENTATIONS
Questions to ask

demos

reading interests

reading levels

reading
assignments
problems
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
Don't Tell, Sell
PREPARING
PRESENTATIONS
How to
begin/end/survive
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Get over
Leave with a
question
Sense of humor
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Don't Tell, Sell
PREPARING
PRESENTATIONS
What to
include/what to
leave out

mix of formats

mix of materials

mix of subjects
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What are some of the best practices for
promoting library services to teens?
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Be a good host:
Be bilingual: .
Book reviews:
Book store look: Post new book covers
using color copies from Amazon
Build transportation money into grants.
Cable access TV:
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Date due slips:
Email lists of teens:
Fast Food: .
Flyers which go anywhere but lying buried in
a pile of other flyers.
Give away:.
Loyalty:
Mouse pads:
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Parks and recreation departments:
PTAs and other connectors:
Regular open house or program:
Reward teachers, other librarians, and library
staff.
School announcements:
School newspaper:
School visits
Sell and show: www.connectingya.com
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Student ambassadors:
Student clubs:
Sun days:
Tickets
Use the calendar;
Web pages: .
Youth group and youth serving organizations
Youth involvement
www.connectingya.com
Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
Patrick Jones
http://www.connectingya.com
THE NUMBER
ONE WAY TO
PLAN
DEVELOP AND
IMPLEMENT A
SUCCESSFUL
SCHOOL AGE
PROGRAM:
www.connectingya.com
Hardcover
ISBN: 0-8027-89013
Price: $16.95
224 pages
April 2004
Paperback
ISBN: 0-8027-77465
ISBN 13: 978-08027-7746-1
Price: $7.95
224 pages
www.connectingya.com
Final thoughts
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Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2005 16:34:26 -0700 (PDT)
From: "Amanda
Subject: Hi ‘‘ I loved your book’’’
To: [email protected]
My name is Amanda!!! I am 15 years old and I have just finished reading
your book "Things Change". It has been the most inspiring thing that I
have read in my life!!! See normally I do not enjoy reading but, this book
just captured me and sucked me in!!! I have never finished a whole
book, but this one I read it in two days flat!!! I have never read a book
that related so well to teens today. You were so real when you wrote this
book........’’’ I was shocked to find that this was your first book dedicated
to teens!!! I only wish that you write more!!! The girl Johanna was so
strong it only made feel good about my self!!! I could relate to every
single thing in the book....... and it can only show to others that real
things can happen to real people!!!’’’’ And you told it like it was in the
book..... I just wrote to tell you that you are now my favorite author!!! And
I HOPE that you write many more teen books because I can guarantee
you I will the first to get one!!! www.connectingya.com
nailed
Hardcover
ISBN: 0-8027-8077-6
ISBN 13: 978-0-8027-8077-5
Price: $16.95
224 pages
Size: 5-1/2 x 8-1/4
April 2006
www.connectingya.com
Chasing
Tail
Lights
Hardcover
ISBN: 0-8027-9628-1
ISBN 13: 978-08027-9628-8
Price: $16.95
304 pages
August 2007
www.connectingya.com
For more information:
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
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Connecting Young
Adults and Libraries: A
How-To-Do-It Manual,
Third Edition
By Patrick Jones, Michele
Gorman, and Tricia
Suellentrop
Neal-Schuman, July
2004
1-55570-508-1. 8 1/2 x 11
. 438 pp.
www.connectingya.com
Connecting Young Adults and Libraries
Patrick Jones
http://www.connectingya.com

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Consulting, training, and
coaching for providing powerful
youth services including library
card campaigns and web
projects
[email protected]
www.connectingya.com