Metamorphasizing Your Library for teens and tweens: Transforming your library into a teen magnet Patrick Jones Connecting Young Adults and Libraries www.connectingYA.com www.connectingya.com

“If I could run the library for one day I would have have bands in to entertain us, workshops like creative writing programs, game days so kids could play Magic the gathering or D & D, and events for parents and teens about college and financial aid.” --quote from a teen in a focus group in Minnesota. www.connectingya.com

~WHAT’S THE FREQUENCY ~ WHO (you, me, them) WHEN WHERE WHAT (learning objectives) www.connectingya.com

Objectives I. Objectives Answer FAQs about summer programming for teens and tweens Identify the elements of successful summer programs for teens and tweens Investigate techniques such as booktalking to attract for teens and tweens www.connectingya.com

Methods Lecture with Power Point Discussion with small group activities Handouts and accompanying web pages www.connectingya.com

WHY do teen after school programming? Increase use of the collection and other core services Inform, entertain, and enrich teens Attract new users or current users to use the library differently Promote the library in a positive light in the community Increase youth involvement opportunities Support healthy youth development www.connectingya.com

Everything to scale www.connectingya.com

Program This! www.connectingya.com

WHAT’S THE FREQUENCY: a how-to-do-it workshop “But I put out the flyer” - Stock excuse number #1 on why a program or service didn’t meet expectations. www.connectingya.com

Exercise #1 What are the biggest obstacles to getting teens and tweens to attend programs? www.connectingya.com

WHAT is programming for teens? Staff intensive: Involve a hired presenter: Use a teen presenter with knowledge or expertise Be totally teen planned, implemented and evaluated. Be highly interactive on the teens own time and always available Be almost spontaneous www.connectingya.com

The Developmental Needs of Teenagers: Physical Activity 2. Competence and Achievement 3. Self-Definition 4. Creative Expression 5. Positive Social Interaction with Peers and Adults 6. Structure and Clear Limits 7. Meaningful Participation www.connectingya.com

What types of programs appeal to teens? Cultural - Informational – Educational Recreational www.connectingya.com

Dewey or don’t we know good topics for school age programs? Connecting Young Adults and Libraries Patrick Jones http://www.connectingya.com Exercise #2 Dewey or don’t we know good topics for school age programs? www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries Patrick Jones http://www www.connectingya.com

HOW do you plan teen programming? Ideas Ask and answer the 5Ws Implementation Evaluation Education www.connectingya.com

5W 1H WHAT IS THE PROGRAM: (title / description / objectives) WHO IS THE AUDIENCE: (age, gender, target schools) WHEN/WHERE WILL IT TAKE PLACE: (date, time, and location) WHY WILL IT SUCCEED: (partnerships, youth involvement, development needs) HOW WILL BE PROMOTED www.connectingya.com

What are examples of successful tween and teen programs? www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE Teen drama club over the summer on weekly basis. Picked and then presented a play. Now, monthly basis. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE Card and comic book club on Saturday afternoons. Kids trade with each other and with library. Play card games such as magic the gathering. Door prizes and refreshments. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE LSTA grant buy dig cameras; grades 4 – 8; set up eye-spy teams with local historians; took photos of historic sites: zoom in, wrote clues; on the web. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE During summer, using Gates computers. Offered training beyond use of the Internet to use programs loaded on computers. Instruction in use: classes they could sign-up. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE T-shirt decoration: teens create their own t-shirts to wear when they volunteer. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE Program in schools a brown bag lunch program with middle school. Visiting twice a month, book discussion group over lunch. Library buys paperbacks for students. Librarian presented an award to teacher who organized project. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE Poster designing contest for the summer reading program theme. Anime style was the winner: got used on the public relations materials. Teen was then hired to work at branch. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE For Teen Read Week, photographer took pix of teens in various locations which were then used in libraries with slogans on them. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com BEST PRACTICE Mystery night – written her own script, involving police department, etc. Clue(Upstart Doubledog Press Plano www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE Teen Arcade in Gates training room www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE Every time a teen attends a program or volunteers, ask them to give email address and get invites to school programs. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE Last September turned volunteens in puppet performing troupe (puppet teens). Help prepare scripts, make props, develop scenery, and perform. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE Library has developed outreach programs with a wide range of agencies which also serve teens, such as the workforce center, a program for teen mothers (New Beginnings), GED/ESL classes, key contacts in the mental health community, Juvenile Detention Center including donations of materials, and educational community/alternative high school www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE Developed a Mother and daughter book club. Program recognizes fact found in many suburban library systems that parents must be involved or be supportive of teen programs if they are to provide transportation. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE . Poetry contest in the spring. YAs could submit two poems. Capped off by an open mike night to announce winners (Friends group supply prizes). Over 70 Yas attended last event. Success due to teachers getting involved and interested. Also lead to the publication of the compiled poems. Short story contest following same plan in the summer. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE . Teen Art Show had over 100 entries. Art put on display in YA area and all over the library. Reception held to honor artists drew over 75 people to the library in the summer. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE Book discussion groups at the held during the summer. Teens read books, discuss, and have interacted with authors via telephone. One group member now leads a book discussion group for younger kids. Article in October VOYA. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE For Teen Read Week, librarians cooperated with cable access channel and high school to produce 30 second “spots” about using the library featuring leaders from local high school . www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE Developed partnership with parks and recreation department. In their promotional materials, they advertise library programs. Similar programs with community education to promote library programs. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE Received funding from the Arts Council for an arts project work with artist to create large scale puppets, involving students ages 8 – 14. Worked with special program at high school off campus supply two teen interns who interested in art and education www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE Teen summer volunteer programs which allow teens opportunity to “manage” children’s summer reading program, help with programming duties, assist with shelving juvenile materials, and other tasks. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE . Library publishes “zines” filled with artwork, reviews, poetry, and short fiction. These are created and edited by small groups of teenagers, primarily high school students which are then distributed to area schools. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com BEST PRACTICES FROM INDIANA Hammond Public Library Teen Pizza Game Night After Hours Program Battle of The Bands program held outside Funded by Friends of the Library and planned with Teen Advisory Board www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com BEST PRACTICES FROM INDIANA Programs @ Clinton Public Library Movie nights (teens help pick and snacks), craft days (especially during the winter), and summer reading program (reached out to schools, partnered with middle school program where students win prizes and CASH!!). Teens 11 – 18 read over 38,000 pages for the middle school. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com BEST PRACTICES FROM INDIANA Youth involvement @Jasper Public Library Summer teen volunteer program helped out. This past year did reading buddy programs. Teens would sign up to read on Mondays to younger children, who would sign up. Very successful. Teens enjoyed it, and continued to show up. Programs @ Jasper Public Library Instant winner: put stop on certain books, if teen checked out book, would win something. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com BEST PRACTICES FROM INDIANA Programs @ Johnson County Acting workshop conducted by library staff member / community theater member. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com Programs @ IMCPL Teen work with published artist to create a comic book, each teen had different tasks. Was supposed to last only one month, still going on until October. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com BEST PRACTICES FROM INDIANA Programs @ IMCPL . Sidewalk slam: could write poems / draw art on sidewalk which included working with artist. Frame art work. This lead to revamping teen area, which gives it unique look. Organized school club (poetry club) came to event and wants to continue to help out. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com BEST PRACTICES FROM INDIANA Program @ Westfield X-box game: hooked up two x-boxes together, shown on projector, and they played against each other. Game was Halo. Also Battle of the Bands, and henna tattoo. Success breeds success. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE Programs @ Chess club www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com BEST PRACTICES FROM INDIANA Programs @ Westfield Intergenerational program of teens reading to seniors in nursing homes. YAHOO program; funded by United Way youth as resources. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com BEST PRACTICES IN IOWA Youth Involvement @ North Liberty Community Library, North Liberty Hired a teen library assistant and gave him responsibility for updating library webpage (his brother designed the original webpage as a teen volunteer) www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com BEST PRACTICES IN IOWA @Coralville Public Library Our TAB members wrote the script and put together a commercial to promote this years summer reading program. The city’s cable guy agreed to film and edit it. We will be showing it at the junior high school during morning announcements and also on the city cable network. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com BEST PRACTICES IN IOWA Promotion@Monticello Elementary School. Took pictures of all the kindergarteners and first graders with their favorite books. Also included all school personnel, secretaries, cooks, custodians. Put up a bulletin board before parent teacher conferences that said “Check Us Out”. Kids loved finding their pictures. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com BEST PRACTICES IN IOWA @Wilton Public Library. Developed a Reading Buddy Program during the summer partnering Teen Board members with students in Title I reading. Each week during June and July the students meet with their partner for half an hour to read and discuss books. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com BEST PRACTICES IN IOWA Programs@Betttendorf Public Library/Iowa Role Playing Group meets every other weekend for 3 hours. They play D&D, BattleTech, etc. Library is responsible for meeting room, promotion and photocopies. Teens run the games. Group has been in existence for well over 5 years. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com BEST PRACTICES IN IOWA Programs@Cedar Rapids Public Library Mystery Pizza Program: We got cheese pizzas donated by seven pizza places and then the kids guessed who made which pizza. This program attracted more boys than girls. We also did a craft program while results were being tabulated. We got good reviews from those participating. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com BEST PRACTICES IN IOWA @ Summer reading program prize be “librarian for a day” – get to behind the desk, go shopping, buy stuff. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com BEST PRACTICES IN IOWA Collections@ Bondurant Community Library – Nintendo Game Cube Player and about 15 games to go with it. Youth, esp. boys ages 8-15 come to library regularly to have gameplay time, and from timt to time they checkout materials and read the magazines, esp. GameInformer & Nintendo Power www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com BEST PRACTICES FROM INDIANA Programs @ Monroe County Garage Band event: get out of the way of good people and let them do their jobs. More attention that paid to it by administration. Spaces in library designed so teen can hang out. No need for signs. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com BEST PRACTICE Program @ Mokena Public Library Teen coffee house program: Held in activity room. Food and drink. Wednesdays after school. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries http://www.connectingya.com BEST PRACTICE Special Projects @ Stillwater Public Library Received funding from the Arts Council for an arts project work with artist to create large scale puppets, involving students ages 8 – 14. Student then used puppet during summer to put on programs at library and in the community www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries PROGRAMS Book discussion groups at the held during the summer. Teens read books, discuss, and have interacted with authors via telephone. One group member now leads a book discussion group for younger kids. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries YOUTH INVOLVE Teen summer volunteer programs which allow teens opportunity to “manage” children’s summer reading program, help with programming duties, assist with shelving juvenile materials, and other tasks. Most successful are those which allow teens opportunity to be creative. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE .Sleepovers at the library; issued library cards, story times, food, and staff involvement. Staff was there to supervise. 11 and 12 year old who were not primarily library users. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries BEST PRACTICE PSAT study night: tips on how to take the PSAT. Teacher from Kaplan. www.connectingya.com

Program This! Acting class Author visit by Anna Pearl Barrett ASPIRE Olympics Bats! (Nature to go) Bead crafts Birthday bashes Blue Gnus www.connectingya.com

Program This! Ice Cream Juneteenth Kid Kix Kung Fu Mad Science Magic show Magic the gathering Modeling with clay www.connectingya.com

Program This! Clown show Computer camps Computer shirt Father's Day craft Fly : hip hop dance FotoFest Galveston trip Game Days www.connectingya.com

Program This! Scrapbook Sign language Snakes! Solar system SPCA Stain glass craft artist Teena Goldstein Tie Dye shirt www.connectingya.com

What are your successful teen and tween programs? Exercise #3 What are your successful teen and tween programs? www.connectingya.com

What are the elements of developing successful teen programs? Popularity of the topic: Promotion, not just publicity. Making connections with what is happening in the lives of teenagers. High touch: the best model for teen programs is NOT story time (we perform; the audience watches), but toddler time: we provide an interactive experience consist with the development needs of the child. Youth involvement: Define success and expectations Partnering with schools, school group, and youth serving organization: www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries Patrick Jones http://www ask kids THE NUMBER ONE WAY TO PLAN DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM: www.connectingya.com

THE PROGRAMMING TAPESTRY RECREATIONAL EDUCATIONAL CULTURAL BUSINESS Connecting Young Adults and Libraries Patrick Jones http://www.connectingya.com THE PROGRAMMING TAPESTRY RECREATIONAL EDUCATIONAL CULTURAL BUSINESS YOUTH SERVING www.connectingya.com

PARTNERSHIP ROLES COMMUNICATIVE COOPERATIVE COLLOBRATIVE Connecting Young Adults and Libraries Patrick Jones http://www.connectingya.com PARTNERSHIP ROLES COMMUNICATIVE COOPERATIVE COLLOBRATIVE www.connectingya.com

An equation for programming success Collections plus cooperation plus customer focus equals success www.connectingya.com

Don’t Tell, Sell: The importance of booktalking Patrick Jones Connecting Young Adults and Libraries www.connectingya.com

FAQ’S 1. What is booktalking? 2. Who is the audience? Don't Tell, Sell FAQ’S 1. What is booktalking? 2. Who is the audience? 3. What are the models? 4. What are the rules? www.connectingya.com

FAQ’S What it is and What it is not 1. What is booktalking? Don't Tell, Sell FAQ’S 1. What is booktalking? What it is and What it is not www.connectingya.com

FAQ’S Teens Teachers Tepid managers 2. Who is the audience? Don't Tell, Sell FAQ’S 2. Who is the audience? Teens Teachers Tepid managers www.connectingya.com

FAQ’S 3 What are the models? Blurbs Music Trailers WWF Comics Stories Don't Tell, Sell FAQ’S 3 What are the models? Blurbs Music Trailers WWF Comics Stories www.connectingya.com

FAQ’S 4. What are the rules? Do’s Don’ts Types Don't Tell, Sell www.connectingya.com

FAQ’S Types Don't Tell, Sell Mood Plot Scene Character www.connectingya.com

3 Golden rules Remember the audience’s wants Don't Tell, Sell 3 Golden rules Remember the audience’s wants Remember the audience’s needs Be dramatic, not theatrical www.connectingya.com

Preparing Reading Writing Performing Don't Tell, Sell www.connectingya.com

Preparing Reading Themes Lists Collection sitters Reviews/booktalks Don't Tell, Sell Preparing Reading Themes Lists Collection sitters Reviews/booktalks www.connectingya.com

Preparing Writing Start with the ending Write backwards Don't Tell, Sell Preparing Writing Start with the ending Write backwards Notes/index cards Look for the hook www.connectingya.com

Preparing Performing Set rules Relax and enjoy Be realistic Don't Tell, Sell Preparing Performing Set rules Relax and enjoy Be realistic Learn from mistakes www.connectingya.com

Improving 1. Learning the hooks 2. Learning the books Don't Tell, Sell Improving 1. Learning the hooks 2. Learning the books 3. Learning the elements of success www.connectingya.com

Cliffhanger Crazy Horse Electric Game by Chris Crutcher www.connectingya.com

Repetition Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause www.connectingya.com

Unexpected The Silver Kiss by Annette Curtis Klause www.connectingya.com

Staying Fat for Sarah Brynes by Chris Crutcher Know a secret Staying Fat for Sarah Brynes by Chris Crutcher www.connectingya.com

Improving Don't Tell, Sell Learning the hooks The Surprise Party www.connectingya.com

Improving Don't Tell, Sell Learning the books What authors work When and where Core list www.connectingya.com

Improving Learning the elements of success Don't Tell, Sell Know the crowd, not too proud/too loud. Speak to feelings, not lofty ceilings. Don't just speak out; seek out. www.connectingya.com

Don't Tell, Sell Use your style, not cards from a file. Think stage, not printed page. Be yourself, lose yourself. No matter what you try, answer the questions "why" Find the hook, push the book. Don't tell, sell. . www.connectingya.com

Don't Tell, Sell PREPARING PRESENTATIONS 1. Questions to ask 2. How to begin/end/survive 3. What to include/what to leave out 4. Problems/solutions www.connectingya.com

Don't Tell, Sell PREPARING PRESENTATIONS Questions to ask demos reading interests reading levels reading assignments problems www.connectingya.com

Don't Tell, Sell PREPARING PRESENTATIONS How to begin/end/survive Get over Leave with a question Sense of humor www.connectingya.com

Don't Tell, Sell PREPARING PRESENTATIONS What to include/what to leave out mix of formats mix of materials mix of subjects www.connectingya.com

Book store look: Post new book covers using color copies from Amazon What are some of the best practices for promoting library services to teens? Be a good host: Be bilingual: . Book reviews: Book store look: Post new book covers using color copies from Amazon Build transportation money into grants. Cable access TV: www.connectingya.com

Flyers which go anywhere but lying buried in a pile of other flyers. Date due slips: Email lists of teens: Fast Food: . Flyers which go anywhere but lying buried in a pile of other flyers. Give away:. Loyalty: Mouse pads: www.connectingya.com

Parks and recreation departments: PTAs and other connectors: Regular open house or program: Reward teachers, other librarians, and library staff. School announcements: School newspaper: School visits Sell and show: www.connectingya.com

Youth group and youth serving organizations Youth involvement Student ambassadors: Student clubs: Sun days: Tickets Use the calendar; Web pages: . Youth group and youth serving organizations Youth involvement www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries Patrick Jones http://www ask kids THE NUMBER ONE WAY TO PLAN DEVELOP AND IMPLEMENT A SUCCESSFUL SCHOOL AGE PROGRAM: www.connectingya.com

Hardcover ISBN: 0-8027-8901-3 Price: $16 Hardcover ISBN: 0-8027-8901-3 Price: $16.95 224 pages April 2004 Paperback ISBN: 0-8027-7746-5 ISBN 13: 978-0-8027-7746-1 Price: $7.95 224 pages April 2006 www.connectingya.com

Final thoughts Date: Thu, 15 Sep 2005 16:34:26 -0700 (PDT) From: "Amanda Subject: Hi ‘‘ I loved your book’’’ To: Patrick@connectingya.com My name is Amanda!!! I am 15 years old and I have just finished reading your book "Things Change". It has been the most inspiring thing that I have read in my life!!! See normally I do not enjoy reading but, this book just captured me and sucked me in!!! I have never finished a whole book, but this one I read it in two days flat!!!  I have never read a book that related so well to teens today. You were so real when you wrote this book........’’’ I was shocked to find that this was your first book dedicated to teens!!! I only wish that you write more!!! The girl Johanna was so strong it only made feel good about my self!!! I could relate to every single thing in the book.......  and it can only show to others that real things can happen to real people!!!’’’’ And you told it like it was in the book..... I just wrote to tell you that you are now my favorite author!!! And I HOPE that you write many more teen books because I can guarantee you I will the first to get one!!! www.connectingya.com

nailed Hardcover ISBN: 0-8027-8077-6 ISBN 13: 978-0-8027-8077-5 Price: $16.95 224 pages Size: 5-1/2 x 8-1/4 April 2006 www.connectingya.com

Chasing Tail Lights Hardcover ISBN: 0-8027-9628-1 ISBN 13: 978-0-8027-9628-8 Price: $16.95 304 pages August 2007 www.connectingya.com

For more information: Connecting Young Adults and Libraries: A How-To-Do-It Manual, Third Edition By Patrick Jones, Michele Gorman, and Tricia Suellentrop Neal-Schuman, July 2004 1-55570-508-1. 8 1/2 x 11 . 438 pp. www.connectingya.com

Connecting Young Adults and Libraries Patrick Jones http://www Consulting, training, and coaching for providing powerful youth services including library card campaigns and web projects patrick@connectingYA.com www.connectingya.com