Session 12 - Teen Services

In a number of public libraries, young adults or teenagers (defined as ages 12-18) can be the "forgotten" clientele.  Collections and services are provided for children and for adults, but young adults can be inadvertently neglected in staffing, budgeting, and collections and services.  The interests and information needs of these young adults can be as diverse as those of adults in a community.  The stage theories of human growth and development have many implications for the services libraries provide, the types of materials needed, and for the physical and psychological atmosphere in a library.

Learning Objectives for Session 12:

• To understand teen needs, including their interests, ways of thinking and access to technology

• To understand the following standards, as listed in In Service To Iowa:

  1. Standard 47 (p. 17)

  2. Standard 50 (p. 18)

  3. Standard 54 (p. 19)

Assignments for class:

• Reading assignment

• Written assignment

• Additional reading and resources

• Web board discussion questions