There are so many possibilities!
Ask them what they want!
A Teen Advisory Board is a group of teens that meet regularly to discuss what they want and need from the library and sometimes what they can do for the library.
For more info-
Take a trip to your local bookstore or a larger chain store like Barnes and Nobles
Tell teens they may each select one book (or however many you can afford)
They must pick items that teens will like- not just books they personally want
These items are then added to the collection
Teens will advocate to other teens for what they have selected and thereby advocate for your collection and library!
DIY T-shirts (a.K.a. Deconstructed t-shirts, Altered t-shirts, Reconstructed t-shirts. . .)
Altered Book Crafts
Book Purses- Collaborative SRP Binder 2008
Journals- Collaborative SRP Binder 2009
Print your own T-shirts
Try searching by specific subjects
Duct Tape crafts
SRP programs for teens are structured like most independent reader programs. Teens read and record their reading time or page amount and receive prizes for reaching bench marks.
You can consult the collaborative reading program manual for more information and suggestions on programming for this years theme.
Open up the library after hours just for teens
This gives them a chance to use the library in a more relaxed atmosphere. They don’t have to worry about how loud they get. Often they are allowed to use whatever computers they want not just teen computers etc.
This does require the library to pay for extra man hours or it requires staff to volunteer their time for free.
Possibilities include: Yoga, Nutrition, Aerobics, Dance, Tai Chi etc.
Use videos, books, video games, volunteers, local organizations as resources
You might want to consult your insurance company about such physical programs though.
Microphone (if you’ve got it)
Teens can share music, poetry, performances etc.
Using books in your collection and websites make and try homemade beauty products like scrubs, lip gloss, hair masks.
This is huge in libraries right now especially for teens. Many libraries have or are investing in gaming systems. Some have these items available in special spaces daily. Some libraries offer weekly or monthly tournaments or open use times.
Everything you want to know! Includes articles from such reputable sources as School Library Journal and also great tips and hints on all the various ways you can introduce gamming in your library
Teens get together to role play, discuss Manga or Anime, share artwork, cosplay ideas, and watch anime. Some will even attend conventions together.
These can be structured just like adult clubs where the group reads a particular book together over the course of a month and then meets to discuss it. Or each member reads a different book and discusses their item. Some clubs prefer to listen to books on CD and meet to discuss these items. Clubs may even meet online. Clubs may meet to discuss other media as well such as music or movies.
These usually involve calling on local talents.
Before exams or ACT’s or SAT’s set aside quiet space in the library, specifically for teens to use for studying. Allow them to bring snacks and drinks. If you want, you can throw a Decompression Party after the tests are done.
Use them around the library-
Examples of this include helping with computer classes, summer reading program events, booksales, or other library events including prep. Big projects are preferable to daily tasks. Teens like to see that they’ve made a clear difference. Make sure you reward them in some way with snacks or items to add to resumes and college applications.
Farm them out- You can also act as a hub for teen volunteerism by connecting willing teens with organizations that need their help.
Use rice crispy treat mix in place of rice and fruit leather for seaweed wrap and make your own fun and delicious sushi.
Buy a site license and show movies. You can have nights devoted specifically to teen movies. Allow them to bring their own snacks or provide popcorn.
As a precursor to the movie based on New Moon by Stephanie Meyer you can hold a party! You can encourage attendees to dress in costume, play trivia games based on the books, provide henna tattoos, have snacks and giveaways.
Other movie/books parties also work well like ‘Alice in Wonderland’.
Set up a makeshift kitchen with microwave and blender. Speak to the kids about food safety. Use food that reduces chances of contamination, those that do not require heating to be safe like washed fruits and vegetables and prepackaged foods. Introduce 1 food element that must be included in three dishes. Have teen contestants and judges.
You can set up activities in your teen spaces that are self directed and can be used at any time. Examples include: Crafts, Games, Puzzles, Magnetic Poetry, etc.
Mrs. Weasley’s Ugly Sweater Party
In a Minute to Win it
Hint- take email or cell #’s when registering for events then send out reminders a few days before.
An appropriate space (somewhere they can get loud)
Numbers- Have enough supplies & enough help
As with adult books, series fiction is everywhere in teen literature and is represented in multiple genres.They can be formulaic.
Examples: Clique Books
Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants
Daughter of the Mob
Fantasy/ Horror books in modern settings that include vampires, ghosts, werewolves, fairies etc. and romance books with elements of fantasy or horror.
Night World books
House of Night Series
The Reformed Vampire Support Group
Books that deal with difficult issues in teen life like drug abuse, eating disorders, child abuse, crime, dysfunctional families, homosexuality, gangs, racism, violence, suicide, manipulation etc.
“Kids are living situations everyday that we wouldn’t let them read about.”
Teens in difficult situations need to know they are not alone.
Illustrated novels, that is novels in which pictures figure prominently to tell the story. Most library folk consider it to be a format rather than a genre.
Graphic Novels of Japanese origin although the definition is somewhat expanded in recent time to include any graphic novel of a similar nature, Korean, American or otherwise.
Tail of the Moon
Oran High School Host Club
Prince of Tennis
If you don’t know what this is, I can’t help you.
Titles that are particularly good for the teen male.
Many teen books include elements of mystery and mystery books often cross genres into humor, historic fiction, and paranomal romance among others.
Romance is another genre that tends to cross over into other genres.
Genre that uses magic and other supernatural forms as a primary element of plot, theme, and/or setting
Refers to literature involving fictional societies that are incredibly imperfect, lacking the harmonious and egalitarian qualities of life depicted in utopias
These are books that appeal predominately to girls often including elements of humor and romance.
Reader’s Advisory is the process of suggesting fiction and non-fiction titles according to the criteria offered by the patron. --Similar to the reference interview but you are not looking for specific pieces of information rather items that well fill a more intangible need.
- Criteria offered by patrons may include author, genre, format, publication date, writing style, subject matter etc.
How we do it-
What does the patron like?
What do they like about it?
Is there a format they prefer?
We need the base knowledge-
Pay attention to what people read!
Ask them about it! “Hey, who else is a good author?” etc.