[OYAN] Just Ask Gen Z

Wed Jun 26 15:43:49 PDT 2024

Hey y'all! Do you have a Teen Library Council/Teen Advisory Board? Mine is jam-packed with impressive people. The fact that I get to hang out with these stunning teenagers at least once a month is a privilege I still can't believe is mine. A few months ago I asked them for ideas for Spring programs, and they came up with an advice service which evolved into Just Ask Gen Z, an in-library and online form-based program where patrons of any age could submit questions to get advice from the Gen Z and Alpha members of TLC. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to spotlight teens- their wisdom, kindness, and expertise- and boy did they step-up! They did a phenomenal job answering questions with humor, empathy, and a degree of insight that would surprise absolutely no-one who works with teens while astonishing every one else who finds them silly or scary.

We had a bulletin board, question slips, and a box for submissions in the area just opposite the circulation desk from March through May. Over 80 questions were submitted and 73 were answered. I vetted every submission because...you know...humans gotta human. Some (but not as many as you may think) were ineligible because they weren't asked in good faith, but TLC answered all the others, including those submitted by littles who couldn't quite write legibly. All the questions were on display on the bulletin board. They were submitted and answered anonymously, so there were no privacy concerns. Nine folks submitted through an online form and got more extensive, personalized answers directly in their inboxes, included one person who asked about Gen Z slang and got a truly comprehensive response with an annotated list over 100 words long.

I talk about it in this episode of the Talking Tigard<https://talkingtigard.libsyn.com/is-the-modern-world-perplexing-just-ask-gen-z> podcast, and there will be a follow-up next month in which I'll highlight some of the questions, but here's a preview:

Questions seemed to fall naturally into a few categories:

  *   Random (intentionally odd, incomplete, illegible, or not actually a question)
     *   Question from an 11-year-old: "Hi- Bella"
        *   Answer: "Hi, Bella! I hope something great happens to you today! Random thing: Did you know that male platypuses have venomous spurs on their feet?"
     *   Question from an 11-year-old: "Why am I smart?"
        *   Answer: "Hello! There are many factors that makes somebody smart! You may have a good attitude during hard times, that's smart! Making the right decisions? Smart! You are so smart!"
  *   Personal advice
     *   Question from a 44-year-old: "How can I slay?"
        *   Answer: "You can slay by feeling confident, keeping your head up, and keeping your outfits fresh! You can slay any time, you just have to love yourself!!! If you want to know more about how to slay, I suggest watching the newer seasons of Queer Eye on Netflix."
     *   Question from a 10-year-old: "Is being skinny considered pretty? Or unhealthy?"
        *   Answer: "Hi! Being pretty comes in all shapes and sizes. However, our judgmental society is the problem. There is NO good or bad!!! Please remember that!"
  *   Future and general advice:
     *   Question from a 10-year-old: "What is the meaning of life?"
        *   Answer (I swear TLC did this. It was unanimous. Several of them said it simultaneously when they heard the question. It was the happiest moment of my life.): "42."
     *   Question from a 42-year-old: "Most of you probably can't vote in 2024, but do you have a message for people who can?"
        *   Answer: "Please vote!! Your opinion and voice matters! More young people should vote, and I think its important that all voices are represented."
  *   Decoding GenZ/Alpha
     *   Question (age not reported): "I'm a boomer and I see some young people hating us. Why? I love to talk with young people."
        *   Answer: "Hello! I'm part of GenZ and I love talking to older people! When people say 'I hate Boomers!!' most of the time they are either trying to be funny or they are talking about older people that have been personally mean to them/old lawmakers or voters that have made bad decisions for our future. It isn't a personal opinion about you, so don't worry! Keep talking to younger people, I'm sure they enjoy it as much as you!"
     *   Question from a 49-year-old: "Is it OK for old people like me to use GenZ slang? Why or why not?"
        *   Answer: "It depends! Some words are a little cringe, like hella, fire, bussin, or periodt, but using more common ones is totally cool, like fr (for real), bet, ngl (not gonna lie), or hype. Thanks for asking!!"
  *   And finally, this incredibly affirming question from a 25-year-old: "Early GenZ & TLC alum (b. 1998); I wanted to ask what the best part of TLC is?"
     *   Answer: "There are so many amazing parts of TLC! I simply cannot pick only one! For me, becoming part of the TLC has made me meet new people. I love that the TLC helps me go out of my comfort zone, since I can be shy at times. I also feel very independent when helping out with events! It makes me feel that I am helping the library community since when I was younger, the library was a big part of me too."

The best. My heart is full.

-L

Lisa N Elliott
Young Adult Librarian
Tigard Public Library
(503) 718-2654
lisae at tigard-or.gov<mailto:lisae at tigard-or.gov>
she|her|hers

Work Schedule
Tuesdays-Saturdays

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