This document provides tips for youth programming professionals on how to empower the youth they serve. It recommends discovering your own strengths rather than focusing on what may have worked in the past. It encourages creating engaging experiences for patrons of all ages through community outreach, safe spaces, and ensuring patrons feel important. Libraries are encouraged to celebrate self-directed education, create enriching community experiences, and incorporate play to foster richer experiences for their communities.

1. Radical Family
Programming for Youth
Services Over-achievers
Or... How to do it all, have it all, and
empower the youth you serve!

2. First, Discover My
Strengths.
From 2008.
From 2015.
Then discover YOURS!!! --And yours
and mine DO NOT need to match.

3. Love those developmental assets!
From Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets for Adolescents:

4. Stop programming only for readers.
Create engaging experiences, safe spaces,
and let your patrons know that they are
important and circulation takes care of itself-
DON’T OVERTHINK THIS!

5. Become a 21st Century Librarian!
From Valerie Gross for the IMLS Blog. "Libraries = Education:
A Game-Changing Vision." 14 Jan. 2015.
Celebrate self-directed education for
all ages!
Create instructive and enlightening
community outreach experiences!
Shift from education/entertainment offerings to
community outreach experiences. Foster programming
that creates richer experiences for your community.
Think about these awesome key messages and
get a mantra!

6. Bring what’s great
about your community
inside your library.

7. Meet your community
where they are.

8. Incorporate
play!