How: Create a display table of new/popular/out of the ordinary YA books for teens to peruse. This could also include adult titles that are popular among teens, like Jodi Picoult. The books could rotate from the shelves to the table based on monthly themes, popular titles or new titles. We could group the popular titles (those with high circulation rates) to help patrons find books that their peers may recommend. Why: It seems that many of the teens I interviewed either got book recommendations from friends or they sifted through the books at the bookstores. Like many people, I'm sure that teens gravitate toward the table displays since they are much easier to browse then the tightly packed shelves. There's really no reason why libraries can't offer the same convenience. The books could be "checked out" to the table and then checked-in when someone wants to check one out.
How: Use library's Facebook page to send out alerts with mini book reviews done by teens or library staff. Link to the library's catalog at the end of the review to make it easier for teens to locate the book at the library and place a hold on it. Why: Teens like to hear what other teens or trusted adults think about books they've read. They also like Facebook and spend a lot of time there so it only makes sense to combine the two. This helps teens who 1.don't have transportation to get to the library right away to pick up a book 2. don't have money to constantly buy books from bookstores.
Offer Teen-Worthy Programs
How: Hold a movie/music party. Talk to teens about what is most popular right now then create an event around that and similar topics. For example, pair a movie like Step Up with current hip-hop cd's, then set up a platform to play the movie, Youtube dance videos, and remixes of the movies soundtrack songs. This is a good time to get their opinions about other movies and what they'd like to see in the future. Why: Teens like music and movies, as was mentioned in their interviews. They also love hanging out with friends. The library can be the place that brings all those things together. Also, the library doesn't have to spend much money on this event because the movies and music are [hopefully] items they already own; if they don't, they should purchase them!
How: Offer a summer reading program that benefits teens and the library. The program will be more of a contest and will take place over 9 weeks in summer. Each teen will be able to submit as many book trailers as they wish about books they have read. Every three weeks in summer, one trailer will be selected as the winner, and that trailer will be displayed on the library homepage. The winner will also get 3 movie tickets to use at a nearby theater. Group submissions will be encouraged. Why: Libraries benefit from creative advertisement that staff members don't have to do, and teens love the movies. This will cost the library almost $100, but for a three month program, that's not bad, especially considering the great things that come from it. Hopefully, teens will get their friends involved, and the library can be known as the place that hooked them up with free tickets to New Moon. Also, this is mostly virtual (minus having to pick up the movie tickets from the library), which will encourage tech savvy teens to join. The social aspect of this is that teens can hang out and do this together, or just share their winnings with their friends at the end.
Amber and Laura's Programming and Service Ideas
Make Finding Books at the Library Easier
How: Create a display table of new/popular/out of the ordinary YA books for teens to peruse. This could also include adult titles that are popular among teens, like Jodi Picoult. The books could rotate from the shelves to the table based on monthly themes, popular titles or new titles. We could group the popular titles (those with high circulation rates) to help patrons find books that their peers may recommend.
Why: It seems that many of the teens I interviewed either got book recommendations from friends or they sifted through the books at the bookstores. Like many people, I'm sure that teens gravitate toward the table displays since they are much easier to browse then the tightly packed shelves. There's really no reason why libraries can't offer the same convenience. The books could be "checked out" to the table and then checked-in when someone wants to check one out.
How: Use library's Facebook page to send out alerts with mini book reviews done by teens or library staff. Link to the library's catalog at the end of the review to make it easier for teens to locate the book at the library and place a hold on it.
Why: Teens like to hear what other teens or trusted adults think about books they've read. They also like Facebook and spend a lot of time there so it only makes sense to combine the two. This helps teens who 1.don't have transportation to get to the library right away to pick up a book 2. don't have money to constantly buy books from bookstores.
Offer Teen-Worthy Programs
How: Hold a movie/music party. Talk to teens about what is most popular right now then create an event around that and similar topics. For example, pair a movie like Step Up with current hip-hop cd's, then set up a platform to play the movie, Youtube dance videos, and remixes of the movies soundtrack songs. This is a good time to get their opinions about other movies and what they'd like to see in the future.
Why: Teens like music and movies, as was mentioned in their interviews. They also love hanging out with friends. The library can be the place that brings all those things together. Also, the library doesn't have to spend much money on this event because the movies and music are [hopefully] items they already own; if they don't, they should purchase them!
How: Offer a summer reading program that benefits teens and the library. The program will be more of a contest and will take place over 9 weeks in summer. Each teen will be able to submit as many book trailers as they wish about books they have read. Every three weeks in summer, one trailer will be selected as the winner, and that trailer will be displayed on the library homepage. The winner will also get 3 movie tickets to use at a nearby theater. Group submissions will be encouraged.
Why: Libraries benefit from creative advertisement that staff members don't have to do, and teens love the movies. This will cost the library almost $100, but for a three month program, that's not bad, especially considering the great things that come from it. Hopefully, teens will get their friends involved, and the library can be known as the place that hooked them up with free tickets to New Moon. Also, this is mostly virtual (minus having to pick up the movie tickets from the library), which will encourage tech savvy teens to join. The social aspect of this is that teens can hang out and do this together, or just share their winnings with their friends at the end.