Shaia and Moore: 12 Months of Children's Programming
Vt2014
1. Teen Services
Megan Emery
Tween Titan
Chattanooga Public Library
www.meganfemery.wordpress.com
Twitter: @bibli
9/19/2014
Brown Public Library
Northfield, VT
10. Tween Titan at Chattanooga Public
Library, Chattanooga, TN
11. A Little More About Me
• Ancient History:
– 2 Time Winner of the Eastport Elementary School Spelling
Bee, 1991 & 1993
– 2nd Place Champion, 3 Legged Race, Eastport’s 4th of July
Celebration, 1994
• Recently:
– Gave SparkTalk at PLA
– Participated in 2014 SLJ Think Tank
• Upcoming:
– Author of Book on Modern Programming for Tweens &
Teens (Title to come) for ABC-CLIO/Libraries Unlimited
– Participant in Etsy Summit: Re-Imagining Manufacturing
14. How About You?
• Who’s in the Room?
• Where Do You Work?
• How Many are with a Large Library?
• How Many with Small Libraries?
• How Many are Primarily Teens Services?
• Youth Services?
• Jacks and Jills of all Services?
• How Many of You are Full Time?
• Part Time?
15. Complaint Confetti
• What Bugs You About Working with Teens?
– Teens?
– Coworkers?
– Other Patrons?
– Space?
– Budget?
– Hours?
– Something Special and Unique I Can’t Possibly
Imagine or Categorize???
• Jump Up and Get Heard!
16. Complaint Confetti
• Grab as Many as You Need
• Write Your Gripes
• Place Them in the Appropriate Category
• You Have 5 Minutes, GO!
18. Compliment Confetti
• OTHER SIDE OF THE ROOM!
• Grab as Many as You Need
• Write What You LOVE About Working with
Teens
• Place Them in the Appropriate Category
• You Have 5 Minutes, GO!
19. Today We’ll Talk About…
• Antiprogramming Taking Center Stage in
Chattanooga’s Tween/Teen Space
• Focus Groups (Or “Adios, TAB!”)
• Large Events for Tweens/Teens
• Play and Redefining How We Work with Teens
(And How That Work Is Translated)
21. Layout
• 14,400 Sq Ft
• 12,200 Sq Ft Public
• Juvenile Fiction
• Juvenile Nonfiction
• YA Fiction
• YA Nonfiction
• AntiProgramming Stations
• 5 Alcoves
• Wide Open Spaces
• On Desk Always
22. Behavior Problems…
• We Got ‘em Too!
• But… We Have 1 Rule Instead of Many
• Respect:
– The Equipment
– One Another
– Us
– The Culture
23. Books
• We’ve Got ‘Em!
• Patron Driven Requests
• For All Ages, Even Teens
• 100 Items per Card
24. AntiProgramming
• AKA: UnProgramming, Passive Programming,
Stations, Centers
• An Area with an Activity, Lesson, or Project for
Patrons to Engage in Independently or with
Minimal Help/Leadership
• Work Smarter, Not Harder
– An Opportunity to Get More Done with Less Staff and
Time
• This DOES Take Time, Don’t Fool Yourselves
– An Opportunity to Boost Your Numbers!
• There IS a Story There…
25. Arcade
• Located in an Alcove
• PS4
• XBOX1
• WiiU
• Vintage Ms. PacMan Machine
34. Augmented Reality Sandbox
• Software from Grad Student in CA
• Xbox Kinect
• Computer
• Projector
• Wooden Sandbox Table
35. Ever Changing…
• Metal Stamping
• Plastic Toys
• Doodle Paper
• Friendship Bracelets
• Window Clings
• Currently Experimenting with Stop Motion
Animation
• Upcoming: Lego Table
36. How About You?
• Huddle Up!
• Discuss (10 minutes):
– What Are You Already Doing?
– If Money/Space/Time/Problems Weren’t Issues
What Would Your Dream AntiProgram Be?
• Share!
– Your Favorite AntiProgram You’re Already Doing
– Your Favorite Dream AntiProgram
37. Numbers
• These are Programs
• Count ALL Folks Who Participate in Them and
Share Your Numbers
• Doing More with Less Means Things Change
• Reach More Patrons by Working Around Their
Busy Schedules
47. Let’s Take Things Apart/Let’s Put
Things Together
• Once a Month
• 2 Hours
• Random Equipment
• Tool Kits
• Deconstruction, NOT Destruction
48. I <3 Asia
• 2+ Hours
• Once a Month
• 1 Part Lesson
• 1 Part Anime Binge
49. Teen Led Programs
• Work Around Their Schedules
• Rainbow Loom Tutorials
• Jewelry Making
• Code for Beginners Using Scratch
• Knitting
• More Rainbow Loom Classes
• D&D for Beginners
• Finger Crocheting & Hand Knitting
• Upcoming:
– Costume & Prop Tutorials
– More Code
50. Many of These Can Become
AntiPrograms
• Don’t Make EXTRA Work for Yourself
• Leave a Table Up & Let Others Enjoy
• Gauge Interest in Future Programs
• How Would You Do It?
– Huddle Up for 5 Minutes
– Discuss How You Would Turn One of These
Programs Into an AntiProgram
– Share!
51. Hey, Big Spender…
• Feeling Inspired?
• Spend Your Bucks On What You Want Most!
• You Don’t Have to Spend It All in One Place
• You Have 2.5 Minutes, GO!
52. Adios, TAB…
• Anyone Here Have a TAB That Still Works?
• Anyone Let Go of TAB Already?
• My Problems:
– Time Constraints
– Cliques
– Structure
• Why Did I Do That?
– Feedback
– Ownership
– Involvement
53. Ola, Focus Groups!
• 1 Hour Quarterly
• Tweens/Teens/Their Families
• “Book Group” Suggestions vs. Reality
• Our Ideas vs. Theirs
• Our Big Picture Presented & Adjusted
Frequently
54. Feedback
• Fun Questions
– Money is No Object
– There are No Obstacles
• Questions Posed in a Fun Way
– Confetti!
• Compliments
• Complaints
– Hey Big Spender
• Letters for Girl vs. Boy, Age, Town
– Doodle Paper
• Shyness
– Current Questions
– Huddle Up…
• Insider Information
– Newest Program Ideas
– Ask Us ANYTHING…
• What is a Library?
55. Ownership
• Choosing the Next Program
– Immediate Results Show Your Commitment
• All Feedback Discussed
– Coffee Bar
– Drive Through Book Drops
– Zip Line
– Swimming Pool
– Even Book Groups…
• Forever YA
56. Involvement
• Robust Volunteer Program
• Avg. Between 200-300 Monthly with a Value
of $4026-$6039 (Summer is Even Higher)
• My Tweens & Teens Are:
– Teachers
– Coaches
– Artists
– Interference
– Peer Leaders
57. After Party
• Reward for Volunteers
• After Hours
• All Access Pass to the Library
• Test Out All the New Things
– BeDazzler
– Pick Punch
– Scribblebots
– Little Bits Tea Robot
• Dig DEEPER!!!
58. EVERYTHING is a Focus Group
• Always Ask What Folks Think!
• Have Them Fill Out Comment Cards
• Mix the Quantitative with the Qualitative
• EXCELLENT Social Media Fodder
61. Free Comic Book Day
• 1st Saturday in May
• Free Comics
• www.Freecomicbookday.com
62. Star Wars Reads Day
• Started by Lucasfilm & Publishing Partners in
2012
• An Early Saturday in October
• www.facebook.com/StarWarsReads
63. Movie Events
• Divergent
• Mockingjay
• Marvel
– Guardians of the Galaxy
– Avengers
– Ant-Man
– Captain America
• DC
– Batman Vs. Superman
– Justice League
• The Giver
• Star Wars
64. All Large Events Have 3 Parts
• Decorations
• Activities
• Volunteers
67. Volunteers
• Community Service is FUN
• Community Service is Aligned with my
Interests
• Community Service is Shaped by ME
68. Teen Opportunities Fair
• 5 Areas of Opportunities:
1. Volunteer
2. Internships
3. Employment
4. Continuing Education
5. Professional Development
• Hands On, Casual, Guided Experiences for Teens
• If You’re Patient…
– Book will have complete step by step instructions on Creating
Your Own!
But in the Meantime…
69. Volunteer Opportunities
• Where to Look:
– United Way (Even regional can be helpful!)
– Local Nonprofits
– Volunteer Manager Groups
– Where are the Teens?
• Who’s Great?
– Unique
– Popular Already
– Giving Jobs BEYOND Stuffing Envelopes
• Who’s a Partner?
– Who Are You Already Working With
71. Employment
• Anyone Hiring Teens
• Anyone Hiring Just Teens?
• The Biggest Draw for Your Fair
– $
– Freedom
• Where to Look:
– Chains
– Grocery Stores
– Rec. Departments
– Youth Centers
– Food Industry
– AmeriCorps
– Local
72. Continuing Education
• If You’re Not Ready for College
– Keep Your Resume Competitive by Taking Classes
• Adult Education
• Online through Library Databases (Certificates!)
• Maker Spaces
• If You’re Ready for College
– Colleges
– Trade Schools
– Universities
73. Professional Development
• Having a Professional Email Address
• What Does Business Casual Mean?
• Opening a Checking Account
• Where to Look:
– Successful Locals
– Prof. Dev. Agencies
– Dress for Success
– Banks
74. Classes
• Applying for Jobs Online (And Following Up)
• Setting Up a Professional Email Address
• Interview Skills
• STEM Speed Dating
• Panels:
– Teen Success Stories
– College vs. AmeriCorps vs. Startup
76. We’re Amazing!
• Let Others Know It!
• Who
– Friends
– Board
– City Government
– Director
• What
– Numbers
– Money
– IMPACT
77. STEAM Tags
Science Technology Engineering Arts Math
• Explaining Learning Through Play, Legitimizing
“Fun”
• Common, Relatable Terms
78. Let’s Do It!
• Everyone Pick a Program to Brainstorm STEAM
Tags For…
• Fill Out Your Worksheets as You Talk
• SHARE Your Successes!
• Bring Them Home, Wow Your Director, Board,
City with all the Educating You’re Doing!
– (Get More Money, Rule the World, Solve All the
Problems.)
79. But Seriously…
• Look at Your Numbers After Changes Like
Antiprogramming Have Been Made.
• Look at Your Numbers in Terms of Door
Counters.
• WHERE is Your Traffic?
– Spend Money on THEM.
80. What if I Don’t Have Teens?
• Farm Them
• Start with Your Tweens
– Give Them a Voice
– Give Them Ownership
– Grow Them Into Library Participants Who KNOW
They’ll Get What They Want Through Their
Relationship with the Library
108. Alternatives
• No Gaming Equipment?
– Invite Participants to Come w/ Their Own
– Find Vintage Volunteers
• No Table Space?
– Go Vertical! Do Something on the Walls or From the
Ceiling!
• No Teen Space?
– Stay Open Late or Claim Some Space (Even if Only
Temporarily!)
– Where do your big numbers come from? Youth Services!
• Overwhelmed?
– Ask THEM Where to Start!
109. Don’t Be Like Me…
• Be Like YOU!
• Infuse Your Programming with Your Talents &
The Desires & Talents of Your Community
110. Stop Complaining
• We All Have Problems
– Many Times the Same
Problems
– Complaints Will Poison
Your Watering Hole
• My Rules:
– You Are Allowed to
Complain if You are
Making Changes to
Improve
– If You’re Not Willing to
Act for Change Move On
111. Align Yourself with Agents for Change
• Within Your Organization
• Within Your Community
• Within Your Profession
• Within Your Passions
112. Work Together
• Stand Up
• Find Your Complaint Confetti
• Talk Your Problems Over with Your Peers
• Move Complaints You See a Solution For Off
Onto Walls
• Anyone See No Solutions???
113. Be Honest with Yourself
• Strengths:
– Creative
– Ambitious
– Passionate
– Strong Networker
– Contagious Enthusiasm
– Well Organized
– Inspiring
– Never Stop Thinking About Work
• Weaknesses:
– Follow Through
– Overextended
– Organization Does Not Come Easily
– Competitive
– Naïve
– Task Oriented – Curt
– Impatient
– Never Stop Thinking About Work
114. Be Honest With Yourself…
• Take 5 Minutes
• Fill in the Worksheet Honestly
• Admitting Weakness is a Strength in Itself
• Using Your Strengths & Being Conscious of
Your Weaknesses Empowers You to Work With
Yourself, Not Against Yourself
115. Start Planning Change
• What Steps Can You Take Once You Get Home
to Start Creating Change?
• Write Down 2 Things You Can Do When You
Get Home On a New Post-It
• (This One Will Stay With You… Put it on Your
Monitor When You Get Home)
• Share!
