Summary of 2007 Annual Report Questions Regarding Services to Teens

The 2007 public library Annual Report included questions about library services to teens to establish baseline data to help evaluate the effectiveness of the u[coming Adolescent Literacy Initiative for public libraries. The following is a summary of the data received on the Annual Reports. 338 public libraries responded.

Most Frequently Offered Services or Activities Involving Teens

During 2007, most public libraries (90%) reported they have added materials to a collection specifically intended for teens. Over half of all public libraries met at the library or visited middle school students at least once, and 40% of all public libraries met with classes of high school students.

Forty-six percent (179) of public libraries host teens who do volunteer work as part of a high school graduation requirement, and 38% (148) host teens who are doing court ordered community service. Seventy-four libraries have a teen advisory group, and about 12% have a teen volunteer group. Fifty-three libraries have a teen web site, blog, or have a presence on a social networking website such as My Space or Face Book. Sixteen libraries use an electronic contact list for teens, teen telephone tree, or cell phone message group to let teens know about activities at the library.

In 2006, 25 libraries reported they had a designated teen services librarian. In 2007, seventy libraries reported that a staff person spent at least 10 hours per week on teen services. Less than half of libraries (43%) have a designated area for teen materials, and seating.

Programs for Tweens and Teens

Just over half of all public libraries in the state (53% or 206 libraries) offered at least one program for middle school students in 2007, and 32% (125) offered a program for high school students. These programs included board game nights (32% or 125 libraries), teen book discussion groups, including on-line discussion groups (27% or 105 libraries), and electronic gaming events (19% or 74 libraries.)

Other teen programming events included an anime or manga workshop or discussion group (11% or 44 libraries). Many libraries offered opportunities for teens to perform at events such as poetry slams or other poetry events (20 libraries), opportunities for teen bands to play at the library (16 libraries). One library took teen musicians to a local nursing home to perform for the residents. Several libraries hosted teen dances at the library. Other performance art opportunities included a break dance demonstration, open mic nights, modeling, Mystery Dinner or Mystery Theater, and Readers Theater.

Additional activities mentioned by various libraries included summer reading programs for teens, displays of teen art work in collaboration with middle and high schools and home schooled students, Teen Battle of the Books, and after school homework help. Several libraries mentioned that their teen group helped plan, design, and/or paint the teen area.

Teen programs also included Anime Clubs, classes on how to digitally altering photographs, jewelry making classes, a teen knitting programs. Individual libraries offered discussion groups such as a books-to-movies discussion group, a meeting for teen girls who live in foster care, and one group that discussed general teen issues. Some libraries offered teen writing contests or an opportunity to publish their writing.

Some libraries offered programs related science, math and social studies concepts such as an Amazing Race Competition, geocaching, and money management for teens. In addition to break dancing, and Dance Dance Revolution (DDR) events which get teens active, one library offered a skate boarding demonstration. Additional programs libraries mentioned were teen lock-ins at the library, movie nights, scavenger hunts, and teen cooking demonstrations.

Outreach to Students in Groups Targeted by the Initiative

Forty public libraries interacted with high school students in special education classes at least once last year, but only 33 interacted with students in middle school special education classes. Only about 20 libraries interacted with a middle or high school program serving teens who are learning English. Thirty-three libraries had contact with a teen parent group, some work with the UW-Extension's teen parent groups. Eight libraries specifically targeted outreach efforts for teens living in poverty and 3 or 4 interacted with teens who were in the foster care system or in detention facilities or jails, or worked in cooperation with teen health clinics.

Examples of Other Outreach Activities for Targeted Groups

Libraries reported several examples of outreach activities. Many public libraries are used as a tutoring site for students who have dropped out of school or who have been expelled. Numerous libraries are a tutoring site for students who are learning English. (Argyle offers a web cam for the teens who are exchange students from foreign countries so they can visit with their families.) One library had a presence at a health fair for teens who use English as a second language. Several libraries reported that young adults in GED programs visited the library as part of one of their classes.

For questions about this information, contact Barbara A. Huntington (608) 267-5077

Last updated on 7/8/2008 11:57:25 AM