How do you build connections with tweens that motivates them to come to programming? Recently, my library started a monthly tween program. Every month, we highlight a program that the tweens request. We collaborate with them to offer programs like Percy Jackson book club, a Descendants sing along, and animal STEAM events. These programs are targeted and planned by their peers, but attendance is low. This year, I have been on a mission to up attendance and help my library’s tweens transition into our teen programs and events. I’ve tried fliers, outreach, and word of mouth. These things did help, but the biggest thing I have found that helps the most is to build relationships with tweens through reference interviews. Reader’s advisory is key. Not everyone that comes into our branches knows about our programs, but they usually come to the library for books. As a librarian this is…
Author: Pamela Groseclose
Creating Relevant Programs with Tween Interests
On Tuesdays, I get to spend time with my regular teens. As I walked over to the teen department, I stumbled into an interesting discussion. In the midst of homework and computer games, my teens discussed the library. One mentioned that she started to come to the library regularly when she was a tween. She appreciated that the library had a variety of materials for her to checkout. Another teen talked about how awesome the programming was and how much she appreciated the staff. One of our newest teens surprised me the most. She just moved to my library from out of state and shared her own experience. After she agreed with the previous comments, she shared that her previous library only offered duct tape crafts, book discussions, and anime nights for teens. She felt like the programs were okay, but the library wasn’t in tune with her and peer’s needs….
Audiobooks for Tweens
Growing up, reading was difficult for me. My parents bought me Hooked on Phonics cassette tapes for me to pour over and attempt to learn the sounds of each letter. I would have so much anxiety over learning to read that when they got out those Hooked on Phonics cassette tapes I would get physically sick. I felt like I was never going to learn to read, and my parents didn’t understand why everything they did not work. It was that year that I was finally tested and diagnosed with dyslexia. With that diagnosis in hand, we finally had the answers. My teachers helped me by getting me audiobooks of the books my class read. While my classmates silently read their books, I went out into the hallway, placed huge headphones over my ears, and I listened to the book instead of reading it. I hated this time. I felt…
What Do Tween Library Users Want?
Have you ever had a moment where a patron recognizes you, but you can’t identify who they are? One day while I was walking between library departments, a young teen called out my name and stopped me in my tracks. She started asking me personal questions. I politely answered her, but I couldn’t figure out how this teen knew so much about me.
Falling for the Season : Fall Books and Programs for Tweens
For months, my library’s regular tweens have been talking about Halloween costumes, sports games, and a countdown till holiday break. While we talked about these things, it always felt so far away. It wasn’t until I was walking my family’s dog that the fall season came alive for me. Even though it was nearly 80 degrees, I looked up and saw that the trees had changed colors. Fall is one of my favorite seasons, and it is a great reminder that we should appreciate change and transition. When it comes to tweens, this is especially true. Much like the season, they are in transition too. To help tweens deal with this transition, it can be helpful to celebrate what they are excited about with them. This helps them feel grounded and supported. Since my tweens were excited about fall, I needed to quickly come up with some fall programs.
Gentle Romance Books for Tweens
LARP on Mars: A Tween Program
While sipping on my coffee and taking in the cooler weather, I can’t help but reflect on how quickly summer has gone by. Last Saturday was my library’s last day of our annual summer reading program. Its end brought joy and chocolate to my fellow staff members and groans and less excitement from the kids and families. As the upcoming school year brings new beginnings, I must reflect on how I served my tweens this summer. One of my favorite programs that I was a part of was a program entitled “Live Action Roleplay (LARP) on Mars”
Books like Harry Potter for Tweens
As I have been celebrating Harry Potter’s 20th anniversary, I could not help but reflect on how Harry Potter has impacted my life. About nineteen years ago, I remember looking for a new summer book to read. I would walk up and down the stacks of books for what felt like hours trying to find a book that I connected with. As I was roaming the stacks one day, my librarian noticed I was struggling and asked me to follow her up to the reference desk. Once there, she suggested a book that would forever change my life – Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling. For the next ten years, I wore out countless copies of Harry Potter. I wanted to live and relive my time at Hogwarts. I finally had a series and a world that I connected to and I anxiously awaited its return. Nearly twenty years…