Supporting Teen Services: Fostering Community, Programming, and Outreach
2/1/21 - 2/26/20
4-Week Asynchronous ALA Course

More and more public libraries recognize that for their library to remain relevant to teens they must consider the way teens desire to interact, create, and drive their own library experience. Teenagers enter the library with a unique set of needs, expectations, and capacities that make them a vital and distinctive user group. To serve this population effectively, it’s not enough to know how to answer their reference questions or acquire YA novels—you need to be able to work with teens, not just for them or alongside them.

Offering a fresh perspective on teen services, this course covers everything from programs, psychology, and physical spaces to collections and getting buy-in from young adult patrons.

Whether you are an experienced teen librarian seeking to revitalize your practice, or are new to serving teens, you will find this course beneficial. Jennifer Velásquez, Teen Services Coordinator for the San Antonio Public Library, teaches you how to use teen personalities, psychology, and innovative communication strategies to enhance your services and help teens take ownership of their library.