<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name="Generator" content="Microsoft Word 15 (filtered medium)">
<!--[if !mso]><style>v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
.shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);}
</style><![endif]--><style><!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:Wingdings;
panose-1:5 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Garamond;
panose-1:2 2 4 4 3 3 1 1 8 3;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:#0563C1;
text-decoration:underline;}
p.MsoListParagraph, li.MsoListParagraph, div.MsoListParagraph
{mso-style-priority:34;
margin-top:0in;
margin-right:0in;
margin-bottom:0in;
margin-left:.5in;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:standardcontextual;}
span.EmailStyle18
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
color:windowtext;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;
font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif;
mso-ligatures:none;}
@page WordSection1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.WordSection1
{page:WordSection1;}
/* List Definitions */
@list l0
{mso-list-id:1024524595;
mso-list-type:hybrid;
mso-list-template-ids:1704073598 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693 67698689 67698691 67698693;}
@list l0:level1
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level2
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level3
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level4
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level5
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level6
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
@list l0:level7
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0B7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Symbol;}
@list l0:level8
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:o;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:"Courier New";}
@list l0:level9
{mso-level-number-format:bullet;
mso-level-text:\F0A7;
mso-level-tab-stop:none;
mso-level-number-position:left;
text-indent:-.25in;
font-family:Wingdings;}
ol
{margin-bottom:0in;}
ul
{margin-bottom:0in;}
--></style><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang="EN-US" link="#0563C1" vlink="#954F72" style="word-wrap:break-word">
<div class="WordSection1">
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">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.
<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">I talk about it in this episode of the
<a href="https://talkingtigard.libsyn.com/is-the-modern-world-perplexing-just-ask-gen-z">
Talking Tigard</a> podcast, and there will be a follow-up next month in which I’ll highlight some of the questions, but here’s a preview:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Questions seemed to fall naturally into a few categories:<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<ul style="margin-top:0in" type="disc">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Random (intentionally odd, incomplete, illegible, or not actually a question)<o:p></o:p></span></li><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Question from an 11-year-old: “Hi- Bella”<o:p></o:p></span></li><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="square">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Answer:
<i>“</i>Hi, Bella! I hope something great happens to you today! Random thing: Did you know that male platypuses have venomous spurs on their feet?”<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Question from an 11-year-old: “Why am I smart?”<o:p></o:p></span></li><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="square">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">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!”<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</ul>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Personal advice<o:p></o:p></span></li><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Question from a 44-year-old: “How can I slay?”<o:p></o:p></span></li><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="square">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">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.”<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Question from a 10-year-old: “Is being skinny considered pretty? Or unhealthy?”<o:p></o:p></span></li><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="square">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">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!”<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</ul>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Future and general advice:<o:p></o:p></span></li><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Question from a 10-year-old: “What is the meaning of life?”<o:p></o:p></span></li><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="square">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">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.”<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">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?”<o:p></o:p></span></li><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="square">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Answer: “Please vote!! Your opinion and voice matters! More young people should vote, and I think its important that all voices are represented.”<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</ul>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Decoding GenZ/Alpha<o:p></o:p></span></li><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Question (age not reported): “I’m a boomer and I see some young people hating us. Why? I love to talk with young people.”<o:p></o:p></span></li><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="square">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">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!”<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">Question from a 49-year-old: “Is it OK for old people like me to use GenZ slang? Why or why not?”<o:p></o:p></span></li><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="square">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level3 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">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!!”<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</ul>
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">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?”<o:p></o:p></span></li><ul style="margin-top:0in" type="circle">
<li class="MsoListParagraph" style="margin-left:0in;mso-list:l0 level2 lfo1"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">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.”<o:p></o:p></span></li></ul>
</ul>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">The best. My heart is full.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt">-L<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F3864;mso-ligatures:none">Lisa N Elliott<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F3864;mso-ligatures:none">Young Adult Librarian<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F3864;mso-ligatures:none">Tigard Public Library<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F3864;mso-ligatures:none">(503) 718-2654<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><a href="mailto:lisae@tigard-or.gov"><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F3864;mso-ligatures:none">lisae@tigard-or.gov</span></a><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F3864;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><b><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#17365D;mso-ligatures:none">she|her|hers<o:p></o:p></span></b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:14.0pt;font-family:"Garamond",serif;color:#1F3864;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><u><span style="color:#1F3864;mso-ligatures:none">Work Schedule</span></u><u><span style="font-size:12.0pt;color:#1F3864;mso-ligatures:none"><o:p></o:p></span></u></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color:#1F3864;mso-ligatures:none">Tuesdays-Saturdays<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="mso-ligatures:none"><img border="0" width="149" height="95" style="width:1.552in;height:.9895in" id="Picture_x0020_1" src="cid:image001.png@01DAC70E.391B9730"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>
</div>
<br>
<hr>
<font face="Arial" color="Gray" size="2"><br>
DISCLAIMER: E-mails sent or received by City of Tigard employees are subject to public record laws. If requested, e-mail may be disclosed to another party unless exempt from disclosure under Oregon Public Records Law. E-mails are retained by the City of Tigard
in compliance with the Oregon Administrative Rules “City General Records Retention Schedule.”<br>
</font>
</body>
</html>