Connecting the Library and the Community to Benefit Teens

Teens: Connecting theLibraryand the Community to Benefit Teens

Connecting theLibraryand the Community to Benefit TeensTeen Outreach & Teen ProgrammingJamie Ward/ Magna Library/Salt Lake County Library ServicesBrenda Lower/ Salt Lake City Public Library1Magna library outreachAfter School ProgramA place for kids to go and be in a safe environmentThe time between 3-5pm is a peak time for troublemaking and mischief.

OJJDP Statistical Briefing Book. Online. Available: http://www.ojjdp.gov/ojstatbb/offenders/qa03301.asp?qaDate=2008. Released on December 21, 2010.

There may be a lot of opportunities for outreach b/c lots of programming exists during this time frame. Im going to tell you a bit about my personal outreach during this time period.2Slco youth services backgroundBig organization that has many facets, including the Afterschool Program that we help out withMeets every school day from 2:45-6:00pmLots of different programs, including summer programming

This is by far my biggest partnership and takes a lot of programming time & effort.Activities include homework help (first hour of meeting), filmmaking, skateboarding, snowboarding, DJ classes, dance, arts, sports, service projects throughout the community,and off-site field trips. Students who attend the program have reported an increase in their attendance at school, improved their grades and self-worth.

3Magna library/ slco youth services collaborationMagna Library has a program for these kids every MondayFor Magna Lib: It helps the library get program numbers as well as getting to know teen patrons betterFor SLCO: I have written grant proposals for their program, they dont have to plan an activity every single day

It also helps me test out possible future programs. Since I see these kids regularly, I know them and feel more comfortable doing different programming. A 21st Century Grant may be available to help fund programming. See our resource list for possibilitiesLots of staff that work with these kids are young and fresh out of college/HS. Ive written them letters of recommendation & even talked to a couple about library school. It helps them see other organizations in the county.

4Magna outreachKiwi BakeryLocal Bakery right across the street from the libraryEveryone (all ages eligible) can get a donut for five reading sessionsAnywhere from 50 to 200 patrons of all ages participate in this program, usually quarterly

It helps us and it helps them. Usually when the family goes in to get their donut, they buy more items at the bakery. It gives us huge numbers and is an awesome reading incentive.

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Ill also have the patrons write their names down so we dont have cheaters. That also gives me a way to remember names :D6Magna outreachArt on You Tattoo ShopVery active in the communityNote: this is MagnaThey do very popular programs at the library that teens love!

Could mention Pub QuizMagna: meaning this is my community. I understand if its not everyones. Because the tattoo shop is active with community events I can tell my teens that the tattoo shop with have a booth at, say, the Magna Arts Fest and that will make them more interested in going to that community event such as Main Street Trick-or-Treating and the Magna Arts Fest. I dont necessarily promote tattooing (not my cup of tea) but Im trying to make the library seem hip to the teens & a certain populace that may not visit the library frequently.7Local partnershipsUse your meeting room!Chamber of CommerceLocal government meetingsOutreach Night with community members that work with teensLibrary Science students

It helps them gain experience and you could get more volunteers and ideas from studentsAlso it brings bodies into the library and helps us meet new people! Befriend them and learn about whats happening in your community for future partnerships

8Local partnerships that could be found in any communityPartner with a Senior CenterTeen/Senior Clubs could benefit both groups Knitting Club would be a cute ideaPartner with a local schoolStuffed Animal Sleepover.Do a fun assembly for studentsLocal bookshop/ store for a book groupThese are things that I thought every community has9Teen Programming ideasrelated to outreach Ask people you know from partnerships for ideas that have worked wellRecruit your TAB to outreach & bring in programming ideas that work in the communityDo programs that promote growth & development such as community service projects, volunteer opportunities and work with charity

Brenda will cover this a lot moreTalking to people that I do outreach with gives me so many ideas for programming b/c they are doing what I do too. We can easily share information10Teens who may not frequent the libraryHow can outreach & programming reach these patrons:Home-schooled kidsIncarcerated teensDisabled teensImmigrants Pregnant teens

Homeschooled: they love the lock-in/ need social interactionIncarcerated: maybe you can talk to the jail librarianDisabled: you can go visit them if they have a communal meeting placeImmigrants: talk about the Sunnyvale center in SSLPregnant: make sure they feel welcome, I encourage mine to come to programs & bring their babiesEncourage them to go to parenting classes offered through other organizations11Social Networking outreachGoodreadsBooklists, contests & event publicityFacebookContests, polls, book quotesTwitterPinterestFlickrFoursquare

We had patrons from New Zealand commenting on our Goodreads page!

12Uplift ideas16 Apr. 2013, Advanced Uplift: Collaboration- USLWe will focus on answering the following questions:What valuable assets, resources and attributes do libraries provide for collaboration?Why is it important to collaborate?What are the benefits of collaboration?How do you develop effective partnerships?How do you identify partners for collaboration?

Develop your capacity to create and implement effective collaboration that will have a measurable impact on your library. Be seen as a viable partner with community agencies. Get strategies to increase your communitys awareness of the value of cooperation and collective efforts.13Initiating partnershipsWhy?Who?How?

Now that weve discussed the awesome potential of partnerships, how does one actually do it?14why?The foundation for successful libraries lies in ensuring that libraries create public valueNo organization can solve every community problemDo you want to have fun new, diverse programming ideas? Different approachesAre there new community partnerships in your community that could bring new patronage?Possibly could unemployment bring more patrons to the library?15Why?What other reasons can you think of that have not been included?

Improve our image/ Promote our awesome services/ Stay relevant16Who?Existing RelationshipsWhat are other libraries doing?What are other communities doing?

Go outside the libraryWhere are the people that you want to interact with?Can they come to you? Probably not

Look at your community: with whom do you interact with at work, go to school, worship etc.?

17How?Pick up the phone Very simple, professional email Mention what you like about them and how you can help them outPromote your own events

Dont use letters- make sure you talk to the person face-to-face18How? Develop relationships with other library leaders, community leaders, educational organizations, community groups and agencies. These collaborative relationships will lead to support and ideas for new and existing programming to meet the needs of your community.19Possible problemsPoor communicationLost in the Why? part of initiationPartnerships are too differentNot enough help or timeHidden agendas/ high costNot getting enough out of the partnership (either side)But its worth it!End on positive note! This is the best part of my job- I love helping at-risk teens and bringing new kids into the library. Its comforting to see teens happy & productive that feel like theyre part of the community.20We Have programs!What do we do with partnerships?21Program tipsHave variety!Be consistent.Advertise well, far in advance.PinterestJust is SUPER brief- we could have an entire day on program ideas! Check our hand out for some of my favorite sources.Variety- not every program will appeal to every teenConsistent- if teens know that every week on Thursday, there is a program, they will be more likely to show up.Advertise- If they dont know, they cant come.22Advertising- How?Social Media and TechnologyIn House AdvertisingOutside Resources23Social Media and TechnologyTwitterTextingEmail RemindersFacebookCreate Events on the page, not just give noticesPost regularly: time and schedule different posts- Plan ahead!Interact! Ask questions, give recommendations, answer questionsBe natural, not stuffy

See the handouts for a great resource!Plan ahead- scheduling postings ahead of time.24In House AdvertisingPostersFliersLibrary NewsletterTalking it up to people, including parents!25Outside the LibraryNeighborhood and community newslettersRadio spotlightsCommunity centersSchoolsThe partners (give fliers and posters)26Advertising- How?Social Media and TechnologyIn House AdvertisingOutside ResourcesInclude the parents!If they are on board, the teens will be coming to the programs!27Questions?28