Library Teen Advisory Groups

by Diane P. Tuccillo

Although teen advisory groups flourish in many libraries, no how-to guidebook has ever been published for the librarians who run them. At last, the activities and policies of actual groups in school and public libraries are described in detail. From funding to bylaws, from starting a new group to rejuvenating an old one, from classic projects to unique roles, from community involvement to voting on adult library boards, Tuccillo covers the wide landscape of teen advisory groups of all stripes and types. Vivid profiles of successful teen groups, organized in public and school library sections, tell each group's story. Sample mission statements, applications, membership cards, parent permission forms, publicity flyers, and newsletters can be borrowed or adapted.

Beyond a wealth of practical advice, Tuccillo also offers inspiration in teens' own "I did not expect TAB to be nearly as great as it was," writes a member to his librarian after moving away. "It allowed me to get socially involved and to take an active role in the community. I really enjoyed the discussions dealing with the library renovation. Being involved in such a large project was exciting for someone my age. [In my new community], I ran for the library Board of Trustees and work as a reading tutor. If it were not for you and your library, I never would have considered running or tutoring. I owe a lot of thanks to you." Anyone working directly with teens in school and public libraries will be unable to resist such compelling testaments to the value of library teen advisory groups.

Genres: Nonfiction, Professional Development

192 pages, Paperback

First published November 28, 2004

Reviews

[Bridie · Rating 4 out of 5]

worth the water damage n replacement fees

[CTEP]

In Library Teen Advisory Groups, Diane Tuccillo outlines how to create a Teen Advisory Board (TAB) from scratch and what to do with it once it’s been established. The book served a very functional purpose for me, as I spent the first two weeks at Maplewood Library creating a Teen Advisory Board from the ground up. With practical information from how to recruit teens to what your meetings should look like, the book provides someone with little to no understanding of TABs the information they need to hit the ground running. Most importantly, I’ve learned what my priorities should be in working with a newly formed TAB, and have the tools to create goals for coming years.

While Teen Advisory Boards may not seem directly linked to the work we are doing as CTEP members, they do create buy-in with teens by allowing them to give input in programming and services provided them, as well as the opportunity to volunteer at the library. At Maplewood, I see this as an opportunity to create better attended tech programs and as a way to get teens involved with basic computer classes as assistants and/or tutors.

[J.D. Holman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to the wording of a grant my Friends of the Library applied for and won, I am faced with having to create a (junior) teen advisory group. While I do have some great middle school kids in mind, this is incredibly daunting. This book makes it somewhat less so.

[P. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reading this book makes me really, really pumped up about the possibilities of a teen advisory group. I just wish it included a chapter on "how to effectively nag teens so that they realize that they should come to a TAG meeting!" with, like, sample dialogue.

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

After reading this book I am very jazzed about starting an advisory group at my high school library. It'll be more work but I think it will be well worth it. Now I just hope I'll have teens that want to serve on the board and be active.

[Amanda B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Invaluable resource.

[Jeanne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I mostly skimmed this book as it is really designed for public libraries more than school libraries. I guess it did give me a few ideas as I try to get my group started.