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Connecting With Young Adult Patrons

Connecting With Young Adult Patrons. Anne Gresham. Staff Workshop. Connecting With Young Adult Patrons. Part 1: Understanding Teens in the Library Part 2: Stages of Adolescence Part 3 : Tips for Serving Teens . Part 1: Understanding Teens in the Library. Who – or What – Are They?.

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Connecting With Young Adult Patrons

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  1. Connecting With Young Adult Patrons Anne Gresham Staff Workshop

  2. Connecting With Young Adult Patrons • Part 1: Understanding Teens in the Library • Part 2: Stages of Adolescence • Part 3: Tips for Serving Teens

  3. Part 1: Understanding Teens in the Library

  4. Who – or What – Are They? • They are people • They are library patrons • Our programming policy defines teens as 13-18 years old

  5. Why are they here? • To socialize • To find information • To do homework • Entertainment • Lack of a parentally sanctioned alternative

  6. What do they want? • To be involved • A space designed for their needs • Access to technology and popular materials • To be treated with respect Gorman & Suellentrop (2009), p. 15

  7. How Can Libraries Help Teens Develop? • Independence • Excitement • Identity • Diversity • Acceptance Gorman & Suellentrop (2009), p. 15

  8. Part II: The Stages of AdolescenceRemember how it felt to be a teenager? Yeah, but…

  9. Common Complaints About Teens • They won’t stop shouting! • They’re RUDE! • They all hate me! • They look and act ridiculous! • They travel in enormous packs!

  10. If they don’t want to be treated like children, why won’t they act like adults? Because they aren’t either.

  11. The Stages of Adolescence • Early Adolescence • Middle Adolescence • Late Adolescence Gorman & Suellentrop (2009), p. 15

  12. Early Adolescence • Increased concern with appearance • Seeks independence • Rebellious/defiant behaviors • Increased importance of friends, peer group • Ego dominates perceptions Gorman &Suellentrop (2009), p. 15

  13. Middle Adolescence • Becomes less self-absorbed • Independent decision making • Self-image experimentation • Risk taking • Develops values and morality • Forms lasting relationships • Increased intellectual awareness • Interests and skills mature Gorman & Suellentrop (2009), p. 15

  14. Late Adolescence • Idealistic world view • Increased involvement with the world outside of school and family • Sets goals • Forms stable relationships • Views adults as equals • Establishes independence Gorman & Suellentrop (2009), p. 15

  15. Part III: So What Can I Do to Help Them?

  16. Ninja Skills for Serving Teens (Joseph, 2010) • Madasa • be better at finding information than they are • Gerido • Understand and seek the new and the recent • Getamata • Strength of age and wisdom • If you are older than 24, you are very old to teens • Bemeiji • Memory – remember patron names and preferences • Respect

  17. DON’T: • Stereotype • Power trip • Take it personally • Blow it out of proportion • Treat teens like children • Try to be cool Gorman & Suellentrop (2009); Bolan (2006)

  18. DO: • Be approachable • Be a good listener • Be good at answering questions • Be an advocate for teens • Maintain boundaries • Be consistent • Empathize Gorman & Suellentrop (2009); Bolan (2006)

  19. And Remember: We’re glad they’re here!

  20. References • Bolan, K. (2006). Bridging the Gap: Proactive Approaches for Adults Working with Teens. Young Adult Library Services, 4(4), 32-46. Retrieved from EBSCOhost. • Gorman, M. & Suellentrop, T. (2009). Connecting young adults and libraries (4th ed.). New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, Inc. • Joseph, M. (2010). An Exquisite Paradox: Making Teens and Young Adults Welcome in Public Libraries. Australasian Public Libraries and Information Services, 23(3), Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

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