Real-World Teen Services

by Jennifer Velásquez

There are plenty of resources about teen services that focus on YA readers' advisory and programming ideas. But the basics of day-to-day service to teens in the library setting, a discipline requiring specific skills, is all too often glossed over in professional literature. As a result many LIS grads begin serving teens armed with an incomplete understanding of why their job is both important and unique, and what they need to know from day one. This compromises their effectiveness as both young adult librarians and advocates for teen services. In this down-to-earth book, former Library Journal Mover & Shaker Velasquez explores real-world challenges and obstacles to teen service that often present themselves, offering solutions and guidance for both new YA librarians and those wanting to freshen up their approach. Presenting fresh ways of thinking about the role of the teen services librarian and how it fits into the organizational structure, Velasquez Combines field-tested approaches with current research to tackle common teen library service issues such as truancy, curfews, programming philosophy and mission, privacy, and organizational resistance, whether subtle or overt Addresses each topic from the perspective of working with teens, family members, fellow colleagues, and community stakeholders Presents realistic strategies to help shift a library's culture towards one that embraces teens and teen services Shows how to get the most out of a library's teen space, discussing factors like location, age restrictions, time of day restrictions, and staffing, plus suggestions for using the shelf-space of the YA collection as a starting point This book goes beyond the "what" and "how" of teen services to get to the "why," ensuring that both new and experienced practitioners will understand the ways teens want to use public space, discover and create information, and interact with peers and adults."

Genres: Professional Development, Nonfiction, Library Science, Adult, Textbooks

136 pages, Paperback

First published June 9, 2015

Reviews

[Karrie Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you work in a public library, you need to read this. Consider it required reading.

[Amy Layton · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you're thinking about working in teen or youth services, this is a must read.  Velasquez details all the various ways in which we must support teens and their services from policy to tone-policing to programs to teens themselves.  The take-away?  Center teens.  Center them in everything you do for them because everything that you should be doing is for them--not for you.  Certainly, it should work within the frame of your library's policies, but never, never at the cost of teens.

After all, teens are at a peculiar stage in their life, having just come from tweendom and now being expected to transition to adulthood all the while handling school, extra-curriculars, jobs, and teenage drama.  It's our duty to help them navigate their lives on their own terms while also reinforcing policies.  

Overall, this is a well-thought out book that provides so many helpful tips and explanations for both you, your teens, and how to help your coworkers become more accustomed to teen services.  You won't want to miss out on this!

Review cross-listed here!

[Yvonne Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This provided some much-needed insight to teen programming and services. It was very repetitive, though.

[Jonathan Pongratz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as required reading for a graduate school course, and I found this to be quite educational and enjoyable.

This short nonfiction book focuses on how libraries can accommodate teens and their needs in a library environment.

The chapters of this novel focus on topics such as space, programming, service dynamics, rules, privacy, and a fun lightning round at the end on common issues and concerns. As an MLIS student with no experience in a library setting beyond volunteering in circulation, I found the subject matter very important and illuminating.

First and foremost, teen services have to focus on the teens themselves. This book provided some insight to avoid many common pitfalls. One of the central ideas throughout is that teens need to be able to contribute to their own programming, to tell the library system what their interests and needs are (which admittedly is easier said than done). There's so much more to teen services than just the collection, and I appreciated all the great learning opportunities, scenarios, and food for thought presented.

I also truly enjoyed that this book was easy to read and understand, as many graduate textbooks can feel overly written and poorly edited to be understood by the average adult.

Ultimately, this book is great for MLIS students, existing librarians needing a fresh take on teen services, or anyone interested in how libraries try to meet the needs of teens in today's changing landscape.

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very accessible. Uses practical experience to present advice and teen services advocacy. I'm glad I read this book as I think it will help me be a better librarian. My main issue with the book, however, is that it seems to emphasize service to outgoing teens while forgetting about anxious or introverted teens. This only comes up in a few sections, but one example relates to an anecdote in which a pair of teens ask a librarian if the library has a teen book club and the librarian responds "We do now and you're in charge of it!" I understand, and even agree with the general idea behind this interaction, but speaking as a former anxious teen, I would have fled the library after this and would not have returned until I knew that librarian no longer worked there.
Overall, however, I really appreciated this book's approach to the subject of teen services, and I have learned a lot from it.

[Tea · Rating 4 out of 5]

When I started this class with Ms. Velasquez, I was hesitant about what she would have to teach me. But, her lessons were well woven in with the book and readings she assigned. Not proclaiming herself as the authority, she is careful and thorough with her explanations and examples given. It's a good class that truly informs you on making decisions for the public and youth. I hope many will, also, find this a good read!

[Jay Demopoulos · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is filled with great information about how to serve teens and young adults in a public library setting. Some things are repetitive from chapter to chapter but overall you won’t find a better introduction into this field.

I only gave it four stars as it is a very small and short book yet still retails for over 60 bucks, which is ridiculous considering the scope.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaasssssssssssss!!!
Omigosh! All of the issues that teen service specialists face in terms of programming, outreach, teen space, technology, readersa dvisory, diversity, special needs, literacy issues, Displays, money, leadership, support, grants, everything....

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lots of great information and things to consider when planning teen programs and interacting with teens in the library. I borrowed this book from another library, but am considering buying a copy for our professional collection for staff.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Easy to read. Simple, straightforward ideas. Helpful for teen librarians.

[Colorado Buck · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for school. Great ideas. Good points.

[Annalise Kraines · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was really helpful for me! Super pragmatic and practical, it provided me with a better understanding of how to help teens participate and lead their library.

[Gretyl · Rating 3 out of 5]

In summary, give teens ownership of their own space in the library and the programming that happens within it.