Reading summary - Frew (2008)

Frew, J., & Haver, L. (2008). OPENING YOUR DOORS TO TEENS: CREATING SUSTAINABLE YOUNG ADULT PROGRAMS. Indiana Libraries, 27(1), 38-41.

Frew and Haver cover the practical basics of starting a teen program in a public library. The points they cover are:

1. Cost
2. Advertising
3. Partnerships
4. Preparation
5. You are Ready
6. Evaluate

 This article is aimed at librarians. It begins with asking the question of why an already overworked librarian would consider adding teen programming when time and resources are already stretched. The six points are real concerns that need to be addressed by the library before a program should be implemented. 

Cost must be considered because no one is going to work for free (except interns and students, desperate for work experience ...) and because "money follows priorities." (p.38)  I would argue that if, in this day and age of "why do we still have libraries when everything is online" talk, if your priorities don't include doing things that cause people to use the library, your priorities could use a upgrade. Teens are one of the best target groups for library use. They're still dependent (until they're 16) on parents to take them places. Libraries are a place parents trust. So ... let's exploit this relationship (not in a bad way) to maximize library use and prove our usefulness!

Advertising is hugely important. I hate finding out that something happened that I would have liked to have gone to, if only I'd known about it. I think one of the most effective advertising techniques might be to work closely with local schools and co-sponsor events. That leads to the partnerships. Teaming up with local professionals (artists, programmers, teachers, tutors, etc.) to create programming can help minimize costs, promote local businesses and individuals, and provide needed foot traffic in our libraries!

Once the program has been launched, it is important to make sure that fresh, new, and interesting content is generated, that library staff remains invested and attentive, and that methods and programs are regularly evaluated for effectiveness. The Friday night panel on The Fault in Our Stars ended in a mass sobfest? Try something more cheerful next time and see how that goes!