1. The Tweens are Alright: Tween Programs in Teams Presented by Matt Kirschner Tween Librarian South Brunswick Public Library 732-329-4000 x.7285 mattkirschner@sbpl.info Follow me @mattkirschner

2. Introduction Write down your definition of "tween". "Storytimes", teen programs... & everything in between? Hired at SBPL as a "Tween Librarian". o Primary purpose: Bring in the "middle to upper elementary kids" o Job description: As read above, storytime & "other duties as assigned"....or, "Allow myself to introduce... myself."

3. The Gap...or, "What's to be done with these ragamuffins?" Serious gap in programming for kids in 4th-7th grade. o "Tweens" Important to retain these kids through late elementary school & middle school. o "Living in Idaho" (an analogy) Hired specifically for the purpose of drawing these 4th-7th grade patrons in.

4. The Tween Collection "Juvenile Fiction" Requesting a "Tween" item category from LMxAC o Not necessary, but helpful for statistics Defining a "tween book" o A prevailing trend/obstacle o Journals, Graded lists, & own knowledge Sort, sticker, catalog, rinse, repeat Upkeep...or, "Setting the Stage"

5. Programming: Chess Club Learned quickly: Tweens love to compete. Chess Club initially our only program for 3rd grade & up. Very successful, well attended. Especially for tween boys. Problems: o Very narrow range of programming. o Tween boys severely over-represented. o Tween girls under-represented....or, "Am I smarter than a fourth grader?"

6. Boys Club & Girls Club Fixing the representation problem by offering two separate groups. What should I do? o ANYTHING! o Cater to their interests o Games, Wii, movies, popular series... just invite them. Creating an informal advisory council o Like YAC, but less organized. Statistics...or, "Get Them Here... Do Something Different"

7. Summertime Grouping them together out of necessity. o Busy summer desk... ever have that problem? Get them interacting more before middle school & beyond. o Most of these early programs looked like a middle school dance... that's normal. Format o Girls wanted "Boys vs. Girls" than boys did! Finding the right balance...or, "Get Them Together... Do Anything"

8. Team Play During summer programs, certain tasks required tweens to work as part of a team. o Awful Tower o Scrambled States of America o Team Scavenger Hunt Gives the developing tweens opportunity outside the classroom to... o...develop leadership (and teamwork) skills. o...develop listening skills. o...develop teaching skills. o...develop problem-solving skills. o...develop peer mediation skills....or, "Building Skills Together"

9. Anything You Can Do... Examples: o Popular book programs  Percy Jackson, Wimpy Kid, Harry Potter o "Minute to Win It" games o Scavenger hunts  "Extreme Closeup" o "Threading the Needle" o Super Stacks o Wii games o Board/card games o Origami...or, "Keeping it Simple"

10. Defining "Tween" Your definition(s) Discussions with administration followed to determine which children we’re actually aiming our services toward. Trying not to overreach. o Taking on more than you can chew. o Stepping on toes of other departments. Reasons for settling on 4th-7th grade....or, "Fine Lines & How to Walk All Over Them"

11. Branding Team Tween Need an identifiable name/night to go with tween programs. Their idea: Team Tween Tuesdays o My reaction: "EVERY Tuesday?!" The solution: Team Tween Silver Screen o Helps during off weeks for programming. o Little planning/set-up required. o Still draws the kids into the library. o Can do anything: take-home crafts, after school club, open game night....or, "Tween Tuesdays"

12. Summertime, Revisited Tween Summer Reading Program o Offers older kids opportunity for bigger prizes. o Using donated books (in good condition) as prizes. o Helps promote Team Tween programs. Redefining "tween" o Team Tween programs are 4th-7th grade. o Problem with 6th & 7th graders. o YA summer reading & statistics. Solution & Statistics...or, "Stomping on Fine Lines, Part Two"

13. The Remaining Gap 3rd grade less represented than older & younger kids. o "Middle elementary"... too old for storytime, but not as comfortable w/ upper elementary group yet. Gap of one grade/year is better than gap of five years before. But how to get everyone? Bringing them back: o Chess o Art Discovery/Workshop o Lego Club o Family Craft Night o Special Programs...or, "What's the Deal With 3rd Graders?"

14. Making Team Tween Work For You Volunteer opportunities in the library Ideas: o "Team Tween Goes Green" (recycling) o Creating a "Tween Garden" o Decorating a "Tween Lounge" Coordinating with YA services and leading kids into teen programs, YAC, etc. Introducing growing tweens to teen programs/services....literally

15. The End. South Brunswick Public Library: http://www.sbpl.info 732-329-4000 x.7285 email: mattkirschner@sbpl.info Twitter: Follow @mattkirschner...or, "The Slide Without a Catchy Subtitle" Questions?