Their Space -- Adding Teens to Libraries

given 11/12/08 by MLA's Teen Interest Group and held at the Rosedale Branch of BCPL

attendee: Stella Fowler of Olney Library

It was a day chock full of information. We started with Reluctant Readers, talked about starting a Teen Advisory Board, explored three different types of book clubs and ended talking about Video Gaming.

I have an electronic copy of all of my notes that I would be happy to share with anyone who is interested. Just email me, and I'll send it your way. stella.fowler@montgomerycountymd.gov

I found the reluctant reader presentation extremely valuable; especially the discussion of Misconceptions About Books that Reluctant Readers like. The first being that RRs like short books only. Not true! Look at the many many teens reading the Twilight books and the Harry Potter books and the Ellen Hopkins books, all really thick books. But be careful, a book can only be popular for so long before RRs will no longer read it, and sadly, the reign of Twilight is starting to wane.

For Teen Advisory Boards, we were told to get out of the meeting room and into the YA section. Meeting rooms just aren't relevant. And you want to advertise your TAB? Place your fliers where the teens are: on the soda machines, in the bathrooms, on the computers!

The major thing that was discussed in regards to teen book clubs was: Feed Them! Food works almost every time (this applies to TABs, too)! What doesn't work: Don't start your book club in September. This is a terrible month to start and no one will come. Parent/Child book clubs work well and are safe places for teens to effectively communicate with their parents without pressure.

The video gaming portion was mostly about how to convince your library's administration that you need video gaming (we don't need to do this). But it had some good statistics such as:
Laproscopic Surgeons who are gamers make 37% fewer mistakes
It prepares teens for jobs
Gaming requires reading

It was a great time and a good way to network with other YA specialists in the state. And a good way to get pointers and ideas for other programs.