Post on 11-May-2015
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Be Afraid… Be Afraid… Be Very AfraidBe Very Afraid
Teens and Libraries
Maggie Hommel, Young Adult LibrarianPark Ridge Public Library
mhommel@prpl.org
A Whirlwind Tour…A Whirlwind Tour…
Perceptions of Teens
Perceptions of Libraries
Adolescent Brains
Teens and Technology
How all of this can change how you look at and deal with Teens
““Teenagers are not Teenagers are not luggage: They don’t luggage: They don’t
need handling.”need handling.”
--Edward T. Sullivan--Edward T. Sullivan
R-E-S-P-E-C-TR-E-S-P-E-C-T
Teens deserve as much respect and service as any other patron
What can be done about teens What can be done for teens
BUT, there are several real barriers that make service to teens difficult
Perceptions Perceptions & &
“Great “Great Expectations”Expectations”
Teens Perceptions of LibrariesTeens Perceptions of Libraries
Uncool?
Restrictive
Librarians are mean
Not on their radar
◦Missouri study: 40% rarely go to the library; 43% would go “if they thought about it”
◦YALSA/SmartGirl.org survey: 16% never go
Teens like “inviting spaces, specialized teen areas, food services”
YA Loft survey: #1 was “friendly librarian”
Marketing library well can greatly improve teen perceptions
Teens Perceptions of LibrariesTeens Perceptions of Libraries
Librarians’ (and SLibrarians’ (and S ociety’s) ociety’s) Perceptions of TeensPerceptions of Teens
Negative Portrayals and Stereotypes
◦Teen pregnancy◦Teen drug use◦Underage drinking◦Crime rates◦Sleep Deprivation◦Teenage suicide
Librarians’ (and SLibrarians’ (and S ociety’s) ociety’s) Perceptions of TeensPerceptions of Teens
Fear
◦Ephebiphobia: fear of teenagers or of adolescence, and the prejudice against teenagers or underage adolescents
Librarians’ (and SLibrarians’ (and S ociety’s) ociety’s) Perceptions of TeensPerceptions of Teens
Fear◦Why?
Teens have problems They are disrespectful, loud, rude, disruptive They are always in a hurry They break the rules They come to the library to goof off They don’t make good decisions
Librarians’ (and SLibrarians’ (and S ociety’s) ociety’s) Perceptions of TeensPerceptions of Teens
Fear◦Can these things be said about ALL teenagers?
Could they be said about some adults?
◦How much is perception and how much reality?
◦Developmental and psychological reasons for teen behavior
““Terrible Teens”Terrible Teens”
Adolescent DevelopmentAdolescent Development
Teenage brains are going through similar changes to a two-year-old
Their brains aren’t wired to think logically
There are real developmental reasons for teen behavior
Adolescent DevelopmentAdolescent Development
Be their prefrontal cortex
Adolescent DevelopmentAdolescent Development
Prefrontal cortex: responsible for planning, organizing, complex thinking, and impulse control
Amygdala: responsible for impulsive, emotional, and instinctual behavior
Adolescent DevelopmentAdolescent Development
Teens brains are developing
What they encounter and engage in will affect how their brain develops
“Use it or lose it”
Librarians can play a positive role
Teens & TechnologyTeens & Technology
New Research
◦PEW Project“Teens and Technology”
◦MacArthur Foundation“Digital Media and Learning”
PEW Report“Youth are leading the transition to a fully wired and mobile nation”
◦87% of U.S. teens age 12-17 use the Internet◦51% go online on a daily basis◦81% of Internet users play games online◦76% get news online◦45% have cell phones; 33% text◦IM is preferred to email
Teens & TechnologyTeens & Technology
Teens & TechnologyTeens & Technology
PEW Report
What Librarians should know:
◦Technology is ubiquitous, always on◦Multitasking is a way of life◦Teens are consumers & creators◦Quick information◦Instantaneous feedback & results
Teens & TechnologyTeens & Technology
MacArthur Foundation
Digital Media and Learning:
◦Asked “Are kids different today because of digital media?”
Teens & TechnologyTeens & Technology
MacArthur Foundation
Findings:
◦83% of young people play video games regularly
Teens & TechnologyTeens & TechnologyMacArthur Foundation
Possible Effects on Learning:
◦Teens work on a trial-and-error basis◦Not afraid to fail◦Multitasking◦“Books are not the standard thing for learning
anymore” (quote from a teen)◦Analytical/problem solving skills vs. rote knowledge
Teen Behavior vs. Teen Behavior vs. Library RulesLibrary Rules
Teen Behavior vs. Library RulesTeen Behavior vs. Library Rules
Discipline is part of serving teens◦Take a few breaths◦Don’t appear threatening◦Don’t take it personally◦Apply rules equally across all age groups◦Keep things in perspective and give them
the benefit of the doubt◦Develop relationships with teens
**”Here Comes Trouble” by Susan B. Harden and Melanie Huggins. School Library Journal.
Teen Behavior vs. Library RulesTeen Behavior vs. Library Rules
“Go Against Your Instincts”
Teen Behavior vs. Library RulesTeen Behavior vs. Library Rules
◦Approach the teens that seem the most unapproachable
◦Don’t take anything personally
◦Be the “bigger” person
Teen Behavior vs. Library RulesTeen Behavior vs. Library Rules
◦Don’t make judgments
◦Beware of peer pressure & group mentality
◦Be understanding of teen development
Thank You!Thank You!
Maggie Hommelmhommel@prpl.org
ResourcesResources Adolescent Brain Development Conference, New York Academy of the Sciences:http://www.nyas.org/ebriefreps/splash.asp?intEBriefID=219
Jones, Jami. “Teens Will Be Teens.” School Library Journal. January 2005, p.37. Strauch, Barbara. The Primal Teen: What New Discoveries about the Teenage Brain Tell Us
about Our Kids. (Doubleday, 2003) Harden, Susan B. and Melanie Huggins. “Here Comes Trouble.” School Library Journal. July
2004, p. 32-5. Sullivan, Edward T. “Teenagers Are Not Luggage: They Don’t Need Handling.” Public Libraries,
March/April 2001, p. 75-7. Jones, Patrick. Do it Right!: Best Practices for Serving Young Adults in School and Public
Libraries. (Neal-Schumann, 2001) PEW Research Center Report: Teens and Technology http://www.pewinternet.org
Macarthur Foundation Research on Digital Learning http://www.digitallearning.macfound.org