In my regular work life, I work with a diverse population of teenagers in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn. As such, I thought that attending a Pre-Conference YALSA Institute discussion entitled “Serving Today’s Diverse Teens” was sure to be something that would serve me well. I was right, though not necessarily for the most obvious reasons.

Serving diverse populations of teenagers, as it turns out, is not merely something that concerns urban librarians. Globalization and conflicts in the last two decade have made the U.S. a refuge for a huge number of immigrants from countries in Africa and Asia, while urban areas have gradually ceased to be the primary destination for new arrivals. Providing adequate, friendly service to new Americans has always been a central goal of the public libraries, but where the mission was once understood as one of ‘acculturation’ in a very colonial sense, we can now look at it as a mission of mutual understanding and learning and, above all, helping immigrant teens preserve their sense of identity while still being active participants in their new homeland.

This was overall message of the three presentations of the day given by Jennifer Velasquez of San Antonio Public Library and an instructor at San Jose State University; Vicki Emery, Media Coordinator at the Lake Braddock Secondary School; and Oesei Akoto Baffour, Administrator of Branch Libraries at the Fort Worth Library.

• Ms. Velasquez emphasized how important the 40 Developmental Assets for adolescents as outlined by the Search Institute. Of primary importance is the sense of belonging that comes from active participation in activities in a place outside the home.
• Vicki Emery demonstrated how ESOL students who are not active readers in the language they speak at home, can develop reading habits through active excercises the help them develop the skills to internalize and recall narrative. Ms. Emery showed some of the book trailers – movie shorts that preview books – created by an ESOL class at Lake Braddock Secondary.
• Finally, Oesei Baffour, who is also a sculptor and a former Teen Librarian at New York Public Library, discussed his own experiences first arriving in America from Ghana and the difficulties in assimilating to his new surroundings.

Equally informative, I should point out, were the conversations that participants from suburban and rural libraries had amongst themselves (over a great lunch provided by YALSA) about how the ethnic and cultural makeup of their communities are changing ever more rapidly. It’s a fact that makes discussions such as these all the more necessary for all librarians to be involved in.

So a great start to my conference! I’ll be sure to check back later with more news from Denver soon.

Sarah Cofer, the Teen Librarian at Worthington Libraries, Ohio, told about how she and the other teen librarian have used a blogfusion blog to market the library to teens. Their colorful website is called Worthingteens and is worth a look. They promote books, announce programs, conduct polls, and point to cool websites.

A key point was that they increased the visibility of their website greatly by starting MySpace and FaceBook accounts, which they maintain mostly to attract viewers to their library site. They do use the popular social sites for some communications, as well. They have set up the sites so that an update on their website automatically updates the other sites.

Cofer also said that a Meebo widget showing when she was available to chat was much more effective than one showing that an unnamed person at the library was available to chat.

Cofer advised librarians trying to attract teens develop their websites slowly, in stage. Do not overwhelm the teens or burn out the librarians with many offering. Add features one at a time so they are noticed.

Nancy Pearl
First I arrive bright and early to see Nancy Pearl speak. It was fascinating to hear how each of her books came into being, especially her lastest book, Book Crush. She gave some suggestions of books for children and teens such as :
Sunshine by Robin McKinley
Alex Rider Series by Anthony Horowitz
The Paperboy by Pete Dexter
Millicent Min, Girl Genius by Lisa Lee
Each Little Bird that Sings by Deborah Wiles
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken
The Great Good Thing by Rod Townley
Ragweed by Avi
The Teacher’s Funeral by Richard Peck
Thirsty by MT Anderson
Feed by MT Anderson
Looking for Normal by Betty Monthei
Voyage of the Dawn Treader by CS Lewis

Off the Chain: Reader’s Advisory for Exploding Genres
I really enjoyed this program. I won’t go into too many details because one of my fellow bloggers have done a great job detailing the program. I know that RUSA/PLA CODES will be having the handouts from their program on their websites. I found the program very interesting and has given me more authors and books to add to my list of books to read. I liked the many ways of finding out about new literature online, such as lit blogs and email lists as well as MySpace.

English Only: Censorship and its Impact on Latino Children and Young Adults in Schools and Public Libraries
I came into this program about half way through but I am glad I did. This program was given by AFL REFORMA. I missed the presentation part, but I did come in just as they started the discussion groups for different types of libraries. The public library discussion group was led by Rose Trevino. This gave people from different library systems a chance to ask questions and talk about how their library systems have their foreign languages materials placed in the collection and any programming that they have in foreign languages. Suggestions were also given on how to start a collection or to grow your current collection.

Future Friends: Marketing Reference and User Services to Generation X
This program was given by RUSA RSS. The handouts for this program will also be posted on RUSA’s blog. First the presenters went into defining Generation X and the facts about this generation. They then presented what this particular generation are looking for when it comes to services and potential segments of this generation. After defining Generation X, the presentation then went into how this would pertain to advertising to this generation and the different stages to planning advertising.
The next part of this program had St. Charles Library system in Illinois talk about their programs that they have for 20- and 30-somethings’ as well how they market those programs. They also gave examples of different programs, such as a cooking for 1 or 2 program, white elephant exchange, creating a safe online presence, a course on wine, and an history crawl of the town. Then they followed with some of the challenges that they have had with marketing as well as what they have learned.
Following this presentation was another presentation on the Young Friends of the Kansas City Public Library a.k.a BooksEnds. They went over what the group was and also how they marketed to their Generation X population.

Final Thoughts on ALA Annual Conference 2007
Unfortunately this was my last day at the conference. After attending different programs on Sunday, I took the time to go to the Library School Reunion Event at the Rennaissance Mayflower Hotel. It was great being able to see some fellow alumni from University of South Florida along with some of the professors that I had taken classes from. It was a good way to end my last day at the conference. I have had a blast at this year’s Annual Conference in Washington, D.C. I am looking forward to the next time I can attend an Annual Conference. I have found out a lot of useful information to take back to my library. I also have had a great time blogging about my experiences and the different programs that I have attended. So it’s been fun and I hope all those staying through Tuesday ave a great rest of conference. This is Catherine Moffatt signing off.

I’m Anne Robert, a children’s librarian who works with the Jacksonville (FL) Library. I am a native Louisianaian; I lived in Baton Rouge (about 90 miles north of N’awlins) for 22 years. It’s great to be back in New Orleans – except for the humidity (one thing I don’t miss!).

I arrived here yesterday and acted like a tourist, taking pictures and absorbing culture. It’s nice to have time during a conference to look around before actually beginning the conference aspect.

Today I went to two sessions: That’s Tight! Teen Volunteer Success Stories and Tapping Resources: Serving Children Through Partnerships.

A brief summary of each:

That’s Tight!

• Teenagers should be treated with respect, just like the adult volunteers
• Three key words: Ideas, Investment, Reward
• Ideas: Create tasks for the teenagers before they volunteer at the library (so you won’t be flabbergasted when they show up)
• More Ideas: Have teenagers do more than just shelving, such as reading to the children, helping with projects, assist with collection development of popular items (CDs, DVDs, graphic novels), help with computers/databases, summer reading club helper, monitor programs
• Investment: Train them properly with verbal (words) and physical (paper) training; give customer service tips (as you would your staff)
• Reward: Always thank them for their help and hard work! Consider writing them a nice letter at the end of their volunteer term (could be used as a referral for college)

I have about 17 teen volunteers in my children’s department this summer, so this session helped me with new ideas on how to fully use them as great resources this summer.

Tapping Resources

• Develop community partnerships with groups outside your library, such as businesses, non-profits, and/or government agencies
• Partnership is a two-way street and each group should get something back
• Partnerships were compared to human relationships: they can be short-term (like a glance or date) or more long-term (like an engagement or marriage)
• Access your library’s strengths before beginning the process and use partnership as a strategic tool

Welcome to New Orleans! And as we say here, Laissez Les Bons Temps Rouler!

Karaoke night at the Weymouth Public Library (MA). See more on their Photoset. They also have a blog for their teens, with comments open. Very cool.

- quite simply, you are a parallel revolution
Brooke Shippee

But it manifested into reality as we (my colleagues and I within Youth Services) thought of ways to reignite our fading program dedicated to poetry. I came up with the idea for the literary magazine, but we weren’t sure if printing was feasible. We began leaning towards an online zine.

Then a colleague found an article in the April 2004 issue of VOYA, featuring Hamilton East Public Library and its’ Poetry Contest. Reading that article was a pivotal marker in our decision to do a printed publication.

PLA Blog – Do you invite or work with other non-library organizations on this event?

AJD – The co-editor and co-designer of elementia is an AmeriCorps volunteer. And last night we passed out information for the Kansas City Writers Group & Kansas Authors Club–on a contest and camp being offered.

PLA Blog – Tell me about the most interesting poem.

AJD – The most interesting poem…that’s difficult for me to answer, for each poem served its’ own interesting purpose.

It seems though, that poems which gauge the most thought, sentiment, and perspective will undeniably pull in the most interest & we have many writers that fulfill these notions. Yet, it’s important to realize that writing is a journey–there are definite stages to trudge through, and each stage is just as important as the next.

PLA Blog – What were some of the reactions to the event from teens/parents/staff?

AJD – Very positive. The atmosphere was highly praised. The design and layout was also highly praised.

Parents were very appreciative and excited for their young adults and some of the teens couldn’t believe that so many people were there to see…them. The open mic time was very popular for the young people…they just kept going and going. Thus, we did go a bit longer than I’d hoped, and I believe a few parents and younger patrons got a bit antsy.

• Dance Dance Revolution (Mario mix and Ultramix 3)
• Donkey Konga
• Guitar Hero
• Karoake Revolution
• Madden 2005
• Prince of Persia
• Tekken
• and more!

Goodie bags including a card game, xbox lanyard, stickers, coupons, pens. A bunch of games got raffled off at 8 PM and then people left for other events.

I played just a few games – LOVE Donkey Konga – and spent a lot of time talking to folks about what they were doing with gaming in their libraries. The coolest idea I heard was a public library in Humble TX that just had a program called Pong, Pizza and Prizes. They used the handheld games shaped like an arcade game with a joystick that sell for around $15 and plug right into the TV to play retro games, and raffled one off to a winner. What a cool idea!

Linda Braun, author of many books and articles, teacher at 2 library schools, and fan of the Gilmore Girls, began with an exercise to prove you can be whoever you want to be online, and to show in a somewhat tangible way how wikis work. We got a multiple choice checklist of characteristics that define her and had to select the right choice, and she invited folks to come up and do an introduction of her based on their choices. Walter Mayes did a fabulous funny and uninformed job, and it really drove home the points about identity and authority that Linda wanted to make.

She started a dialogue by asking the group, “How do you build community?” Responses were

• common interest
• stuck together in the same room for another way
• identity
• collaboration
• through exposure/introductions

Blogs are examples of online communties. Linda shared a quote by Jill Walker that basically said when you blog, you read and write a lot. It teaches you how to connect ideas. She said she didn’t really learn to write until after library school, and that not always having to cite and document frees you up.

Blogging allows teens to make sophisticated reflections and connections. For example, on Charlotte’s blog – an end of the year review of the past year’s worth identities made a girl see how she’d changed in 12 months. From there we examined Livejournal which has an “Interests” feature -tagging and folksonomies to create communities. Community is built on the users terms.

We couldn’t venture into talking about online communities without talking about MySpace. It’s like “a yearbook on steriods” said Frances Jacobson Harris. Linda asked folks what they’d heard and how they were using it. I cited the school that banned students from using it or mentioning the name of the school on any blogs. “We built into curriculum because it gives an illustion of privacy that they do not have,” said Walter Mayes.

Why do teens like MySpace (original concept was for music sharing)? asked Linda. We responded:

• sophisticated – 16+
• it’s theirs
• easy to build
• easy to communicate & connect instantaneously
• you can be whoever you want to be
• expands your community
• it’s cool

Linda reminded us we have to be careful about taking over teen spaces. We need to know what’s going on, but they don’t necessarily want us directly in their communities.

MySpace can be horrible & dangerous & scary, but it can also be a parental supervision tool. If we ban MySpace it doesn’t give them skills to cope out there on their own. It should be noted that teens are aware of some of these issues and make stuff up to be less findable. And MySpace has protections built in to protect yourself – who has permission to contact you. Finally, the literacy and asset-building happening on MySpace is a way to justify it’s use. The Ford Memorial Library set up a MySpace for their library at http://myspace.com/thomasford

Next, we moved into podcasts. “I am addicted to podcasts,” admitted Linda. Podcasting is also a great way to communicate and collaboration and build community. A podcasting resource is
Podcasting Transforming Middle Schoolers into Middle Scholars by Larry Anderson. “I think creating a podcast is a great way to teach outlining skills,” asserted Linda. You can talk off the cuff but sometimes that results in a pocast consisting of giggling and “this podcasts stinks I have nothing to say.”

Some examples of teen podcasts:
Pod Princess (15) did Google tips in one show. It’s well-organized and edited. In one segment, Christina played with voices and putting in own ads with a spoof of an SNL skit and holiday parady of pop music: “Dirty Little Secret” by All-American Rejects, “Golddigger” by Kayne West, and “Because of You” by Kelly Clarkson.

Emo Girl Talk (15, west coast)
Informal. Plays Emo music and talks off the cuff. Martina is noted for being the first teen podcaster to get advertising on her show; some teens are complaining that she sold out!
This experience is really teaching her marketing skills and financial literacy and media literacy. I noticed the show notes on Emo Girls website are a way of documenting sources and providing more information to listeners.

“I don’t read as much – I listen” said Linda. A librarian who doesn’t read?! She said looks at text all day – online, papers, articles.” (Personally, I find much of my own reading is now online, in games, or listening to podcasts – BG). “We need research on this…it has incredible implications for our services.”

To find teen podcasts, visit the Teen Podcaster’s Network. Linda gave examples of two schools producing podcasts: Bush School, and East Oakland Community Podcast (Oakland CA). We got to hear a sample of East Oakland – it was obviously scripted, but still so powerful – podcasting is a way to builds community and allows teens to feel they are not alone.

“We need to give teens their voice,” said Linda, inviting comments, and a fantastic dialogue started:

Linda suggested we help them create, we can help them filter what they say AND what they listen to in response to Walter, who said “If the story moves you it doesn’t matter if it’s true or not,” as he admitted he was torn between encouraging storytelling and being overwhelmed by all the noise.

One audience member pointed out there has always been this noise, it just was in the form of bad poetry and bad websites. It’s only that the medium has changed.

Sara Ryan reminded us not to forget about fan fiction. The criticism that happens knocks people down a peg but also results in improvements to the medium (writing fan fiction, fan art, podcasting, blogging, etc).

I argued that self-centeredness doesn’t have to mean narcissism, it can result in high self-esteem – gamers who are used to being heroes of their games have great self awareness and selfworth as a result of their self-centeredness.

Having teens speak to one another is a relief from the bombardment of media and toys and consumerism, suggested another participant.

What about lower income? asked one participant. This is where libraries come in! Also, podcasting doesn’t have to be listened to on an iPod – it doesn’t have to be elitist. And the Pew study on the digital divide was brought out – interestingly enough, kids felt like they were beng held back because of adult fears that couldn’t access or wouldn’t be able to access.

With only a tiny amount of time left we whizzed through wikis. A wiki is content creation software (note: it’s not cool to correct your own page on Wikipedia).

The exercise that Linda started with is an example of Wiki. She suggested that show notes be wiki? The listeners add the content and resources with timestamps.
Staples High School has a wiki where teens & teachers write the content about the school. A public library could do this too! Next, Linda showcased MyOwnCafe – a website for teens hosted for through a grant at the SouthEastern MA Library System. Teens enter your library card and it authenicates you for database and catalog. Teens can submit their music, a TAB for the website decides what goes on the site. It has many discussion boards old technology, yet heavily used. Each board has a teen moderators and they seed it to keep it going. No adults are posting on this. Some topics: New here? Gaming, News & Politics, Music, Books, Local, etc. Topics decided by teens. Because technology expands the world, they have a global focus as well.

We didn’t have time to do Linda’s final exercise, so – a homework assignment:

• Why are teens drawn to the 3 C’s?
• What are 3 barriers?
• How can barriers be overcome?
• What are the literacy connections in the 3C technologies?

Please discuss amongst yourselves.