Reach More Teens This Summer
At the end of this week, the masses will descend upon my library here in Texas. Our Summer Reading Club kickoff starts as soon as school gets out, and we’re expecting pandemonium. Most of our participants, just like in years before, will be elementary-aged, and we’ll hope, just like in years before, that we’ll see more teens that aren’t our volunteers.
The thing is, at least with us, the number of teens we’ll see this summer doesn’t even begin to come close to the number of children that will be running around the library. We’re in a suburban area with a lot of neighborhoods, and we’re right down the street from a high school, so what gives? Simply put, we’re in competition for their attention. No big surprise there. They have summer jobs and their own activities, and for many, the library falls low on their list of priorities. Many of us have found that even when teens do come to the library during the summer, they get their books, magazines, CDs, and movies and leave without ever hanging out here.
Conversely, some branches get more teens than they know what to do with. One of our branches across town has a much better showing of a teen population, but for the most part, they can count on seeing the same people. The question is, how do we get teens who don’t normally come to the library because of homework and after-school activities to visit in the summer? I think the biggest problem is perception. The library can’t possibly be a fun place to hang out because it’s a library.
But what if we have a space just for teens that feels less like a library and more like a place where they can be themselves? What if we don’t make teens adhere to the Summer Reading Club formula we use for children and give them something completely different (and what if our incentives — if you’re in favor of incentives, which I am — don’t suck)? What if we connect with them the way that requires little to no effort on their part? Having a Facebook page is great, but they have to see it to be a fan of it, and that’s effort. What if we fit our programs and our services to meet their interests and needs before we stretch their trust trying to introduce something new?
I know these ideas have worked for other libraries. What’s worked for you? Leave a comment!
I am totally on this soapbox with you! My system gives out a book bag when teens have read 15 hours and- gasp- a book when they have read 30 hours. Name for me one teen who isn’t already reading that this is going to pull in.
You can’t because that teen doesn’t exist!
I had a manager who used to say “we’re running a 19th century summer reading program in the 21st century.” I couldn’t agree with her more. We need to offer better incentives throughout the summer. I think we need to give away $25 gift cards once a week to anyone who has read during that period- anyone who has read at all, even ten minutes (I know I just caused someone to flip out:) Last summer in my urban library, I gave a bag of candy to every teen who signed up and it worked like a charm. Giving teens books as prizes for a summer reading program is what I consider “cute.” Gving them a gift card to Walmart or Best Buy or Game Stop, now that’s what I consider an incentive.
Kids love gift cards! But I also try to get other, more tangible items. Write to your local sports teams! In the past and in this year, I’ve received tickets to triple A baseball games, book marks, stickers, keychains, magnets, pennants, and more from professional sports teams in my area. While working in MA, I managed to snag an autographed picture of Tim Wakefield from the Red Sox. Kids LOVED it!
I’ve tried making the books they win more special by snagging autographed copies, or giving away advanced copies, but with varied success.
Also, hit up local mountains for ski/snowboard lift tickets. I’ve had some to give away every year.
I’m always on the lookout for different stuff – Mockingjay shirts in the Borders clearance, “old school jams” in the donations box from Boyz II Men and Mariah Carey, or even sports equipment are all easy to talk up as incentives.