Teen Talk and YSAS November 21, 2008

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Jenny Goodemote welcomed everyone and stated that this would be an informal discussion about new things tried this year that focused on teen services.

Debbie (PHE) said teens are using the Wi-Fi connected laptop in their teen area.

Donna (ROS) took teen program to roller skating party @ school and handed out a survey on videogames.

Phelps solicits donations from parents for videogames their kids no longer use or have “outgrown”.

WAL is doing a middle school book club in coordination with the school. It meets 1 time per month from 2-3:15 pm. 7 kids attended (3 boys, 4 girls; 2 7^th graders, 5 6^th graders). More kids have signed up to attend the next meeting.

SOD applied for a Collection Development Grant for videogames.

PAL is using the PLS-owned DDR and has purchased Rock Band once a month in a program.

[Discussion followed about supervision of youth and coordination of events being important concerns].

WADS beefed up its graphic novel collection thanks to the Collection Development Grant it received.

When purchasing graphic novels, the following suggestions were offered:

• Bring a laptop with you to the store, connect to the wi-fi service if available, and check the OWWL catalog to help decide if you want to make this purchase
• Take a list of titles with you

Some popular graphic novel titles: Vampire Knights, Bleach, Rosario, Fuits Basket, Tsubaba.

Different ways to display your graphic novels: circular stand, separate section within your teen section, or arranged by series.

Jenny (CAN) will provide contact information for libraries seeking rights to show anime movies.

She recommended veoh.com for previewing movies. CAN shows anime movies once a month on Thursdays, 6-8 pm.

It can be challenging to schedule events because teens are so busy. Although programs can be hit/miss, you need to just start and keep going no matter how many kids initially show up. Interest may build.

Food is an important component for any teen program/event!

At NEW at teen games program is held once a week. Food, games, and giveaways are shared.

It’s great to partner with a community business or to solicit donations from local stores for games.

One of the most popular games right now is Last Night on Earth (Zombie-themed).

The group would like to ask Kim or Ellen about the possibility of PLSHQ purchasing other games to be shared with all our libraries.

Lock-ins are fund (and an experience!). PHE is getting ready for their 6^th. Permission slips were discussed. PHE’s largest attendance: 23!

Discussion about staff training and attitudes toward teens included sharing anecdotes about less then friendly staff members and suggestions about how to change their minds about teens.

One successful tactic for dealing with teens demonstrating unacceptable behavior in the library is to say “you have to leave today, but you can come back tomorrow”. This lets the teen know that just because their behavior isn’t acceptable at the current time, you’re more than willing to allow them another chance the next day.

The number of staff available for teens is an issue. A suggestion was made to ask for volunteers to man the desk while you run a program or have the volunteer run the program.

The committee would like to have a Teen Talk program for all members. Perhaps at the next Support Staff Workshop? Invite someone like Dr. Boike to present the program.

For those libraries who were awarded a Teen Service Grant, how did you use the funds?

• PHE purchased a laptop
• PAL purchased the videogame Rock Band

How about a Teen program for a Trustees workshop? Board members are not always supportive of teens in their libraries.

At PAL they share a synopsis of the most recent Teen Talk with its staff at their monthly meeting.

What do you want the focus of this group to be next year? Teens? Tweens? Early literacy?

The overwhelming consensus was for this group to focus on services to the grades K-5 group next for 2009.

The YSS Conference is April 3, 2009 in Canandaigua at the Inn on the Lake. Jenny Goodemote is presenting a workshop on comic books.

Dorothy Morehouse (NEW) reminded everyone of the Teen Book Festival being held a Nazareth College on April 4, 2009.

Who is facilitating the YAC meeting in December since it will most likely not be Ellen? Kathryn Riedener will ask PLSHQ staff and let Jenny (CAN) know.

The meeting concluded with giveaways.

Minutes submitted by Kathryn Riedener, PLSHQ