Transforming Young Adult Services

by Anthony Bernier (Contributor), John Budd (Contributor)

How should LIS envision its young adult users? Now showcasing an even more rigorous debate about the theory and practice of YA librarianship than its first edition, this "provocative presentation of diverse viewpoints by leaders in the field" (Catholic Library World) has been updated and expanded to incorporate recent advances in critical youth studies. A comprehensive, evidence-based treatment that offers LIS instructors, students, and practitioners a valuable tool for aligning YA services to more fully reflect our diverse populations of young people, this collection delves deeply into such topics as

the historical roots for current theories and practice; how intellectual freedom, storytelling, library collections, and other service topics can connect with the library's notion and vision of young adults; diverse YA identities, including critical race theory; competing perspectives on young adults' rights in libraries; envisaging YA librarianship from a teen-centered perspective; youth identities and the school library; and moving beyond coaching to copilot with young adults. The broad range of topics and arguments in this volume invites and challenges readers to see critical theory as a means to effect true transformations in young adult services.

Genres: Nonfiction, Professional Development, Essays, Grad School

272 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2013

Reviews

[Amy Layton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Transforming Young Adult Services serves to illuminate the ways in which we today regard YAs and how we have done so in the past, as well as the history and present of our programs, interactions, and expectations.  Take, for example, part of Bernier's introductory chapters: we have not always called young adults "young adults", nor do they even necessarily like it.  Our vision of what "young adulthood" is has depended upon various structures, such as the economy, the law, and our society.  Clearly, there's no clear answer as to exactly how and why we define teens and young adulthood, though some teens have protested the use of "young adults" to define them--after all, they aren't adults yet!

Using this to propel his arguments in each chapter, Bernier also digs into such topics such as space, resources, and intellectual freedom.  Though, overall, it does appear that his argument rests solely on the fact that teens are indeed people too.  It seems obvious, yet for non teen- or youth-services- librarians, many tend to forget such a fact, oftentimes choosing to focus on the fact that some teens are noisy and occasionally rowdy over the fact that they too are people expressing their emotions based on their current mindset and surroundings.

Definitely a book worth reading if you're interested in youth services!

Review cross-listed here!

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really informative textbook on YA services, including building spaces, protecting the intellectual freedom of teens, and advocacy for teenaged patrons.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really insightful essays on a variety of aspects of creating, implementing, and otherwise considering young adults and library services.

[Sara]

a frustratingly mixed bag - i know that's to be expected with an essay collection by multiple authors, but some of them actually reproduce the antithesis of the book - that only conventional YA review sources and knowledge bases are worthwhile. while the central argument for acting with/seeing teens as members of the community rather than a siloed, obligatory or experimental handpicked group is powerful, i'm frustrated by the focus on creating this new vision through library school. convincing administrators of this radical reimagination is difficult when they've already Gone to library school and aren't entrenched in the scholarship anymore. anyway. gives this to my director as evidence that the teens and i should have a budget of a zillion dollars a year.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm so glad I had the opportunity to read this book for my YA Programs and Services class. I really enjoyed the variety of different perspectives that the authors of each chapter provided, and it got me all fired up about the subject matter! The way that Bernier and the chapter authors poke and prod at the idea of "young adulthood" as defined by the library field and by American society at large made this liberal-artsy, social-justice-loving library student totally swoon. These incisive inquiries into how to treat young adults fairly, equitably, and inclusively in a public library setting were definitely better than boring articles about program planning and how to decorate a teen room. I would recommend this to anyone who is interested in libraries, young people, or both!

[Marisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Wasn't that great...

[Tea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an easy read and a very eye-opening one. I was surprised at some of the circumstances and cases it handled that changed my perspective on the Young Adult and Teen services. Bringing in several examples of how to approach sensitive subjects as well as the relationships between people at the library, this book is instructional and informative. I recommend everyone in the information profession to check it out and pick up some tips!

[Annalise Kraines · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a solid collection of scholarly essays about young adult library service, and it left me with a lot to think about. The introduction and the conclusion of the book were both incredibly dry and I truly slogged through them. But the rest of the essays were inspiring and have helped me lay a framework for my fledgling career as a YA librarian.

[Kendall • thegeekyyogi · Rating 4 out of 5]

The essays contained in this volume were really interesting and enlightening. I think there’s a lot to gain to read from these and I’m definitely thinking about way I can make changes to better suit my YA patrons. A great read for any librarian, but especially for teen librarians.

[Cyndi Park · Rating 4 out of 5]

There is a lot of information in this book, but turns out it's up to date and relevant! Helped to change how I think about YAs, their spaces and collection development.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

2013 publication

[Cathlina Bergman · Rating 2 out of 5]

A few good articles, but otherwise blah.

[Molly · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Very* dense, (to be expected for academic writing), but presents many interesting ideas and thoughts of the history, improvement, and future of YA services. The big take away of "young adults/minors/teens are people too" seems obvious, but carrying it into practice, remembering that each young person is first and foremost a person, just as complex and feeling as any adult, is an idea far too many ignore or refuse to believe.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compilation of articles on important LIS issues related to YA services. These include using appropriate terms (teen vs young adults), youth of color and issues of white privilege, teen spaces, and the demonization of technology as a vehicle for the demonization of teen.

[Lindsay]

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[Giovanne · Rating 4 out of 5]