Teen programming is an especially difficult area for some libraries to excel in. As the children they're giving storytimes to grow up, some librarians feel at a loss as to what they can do for these newly independent young adults. Fear not! We have compiled some ideas and resources on this guide to assist. The IMLS definition of teen programming (slightly reworded for clarity) is below:
"Any planned event for which the primary audience is young adults (age 12-18) and which introduces the attendees to any of the broad range of library services or activities for young adults or which directly provides information to participants.
Young adult programs may cover the use of the library, library services, or library tours. The programs may also provide cultural, recreational, or educational information, often designed to meet a specific social need.
Examples of young adult programs include board game nights, Nerf battles, video game tournaments, escape rooms, coding clubs, trivia, selfie contests, etc.
Young adult programs can be held on-site or off-site and be sponsored or co-sponsored by the library. Young adult programs sponsored by other groups that use library facilities are not considered a program of the library.
If young adult programs are offered as a series, each program in the series can be counted. For example, a coding club offered twice a month should be counted as 24 programs."
Teen Advisory Groups go by many names – groups, boards, councils – but the purpose is the same: get teens involved in the library! Teens can be a difficult group for libraries to reach with busy schedules and diverse interests. According to YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association), a Teen Advisory Group can make a difference in program participation because “it incorporates your teens as direct stakeholders in their library.”
Teens can provide insight into what they want from the library. They also help plan programs and make suggestions for purchasing books for the teen collection. Having a group like this does require a commitment to regular recruitment as teens graduate. Counting it as volunteer time can help with recruiting. Another way to help promote the group is to offer a perk to members like special borrowing privileges.
Beyond being a great way to involve teens in the library, an investment in teens is an investment in the library. Teens are future financial supporters of the library, so if you want them to support the library as adults, it helps to develop a relationship with them as teens. Of course, the better relationship you have with teens, the better you can serve them, which will increase your program attendance and circulation.
TAGs don’t have to be super formal meetings. You can start off simply by asking teens who are already hanging out in the library what they’d like to see the library offer.
Many of these resources and programs are funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.