[OYAN] New Teen Space Guidelines

[Katie Anderson]

ALA's Young Adult Library Services Association has just published Teen Space Guidelines for the first time. They are available for free online at: http://www.ala.org/yalsa/guidelines/teenspaces .

These guidelines are a great tool for libraries that want to:

*         Improve how you reach teens online via your website, social networking (FaceBook), and other virtual spaces.

*         Rearrange and/or redecorate your current library space dedicated to teens.

*         Remodel to create a new teen space.

*         Plan teens space in a new library.


Here are a few things from their introduction:

*         Teens experience rapid physical, emotional and social changes while developing their intellectual capabilities and personal values, understanding and accepting their sexuality, and identifying their educational and occupational options. Libraries are vital to today's teens in order for them to achieve a successful transition from childhood to adulthood. They offer the resources and the environment that foster positive intellectual, emotional and social development of tomorrow's adults. All of these factors contribute to the need for distinct teen spaces, both in-library and virtually.

*         Not every element of the guidelines may apply to every public library situation, but the guidelines can serve as a place to begin the conversation about what constitutes excellent public library space for teens.

*         This is a tool for evaluating a public library's overall level of success in providing physical and virtual space dedicated to teens, aged 12-18.






Katie Anderson, Library Development Services
* Youth Services Consultant * Oregon Center for the Book Coordinator *
Oregon State Library, 250 Winter St. NE, Salem, OR 97301
katie.anderson at state.or.us<mailto:katie.anderson at state.or.us>, 503-378-2528

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