I’m really excited to be participating in a National Afterschool Matters fellowship that gives practitioners in the out-of-school time (OST) field an opportunity to investigate and write, for an academic journal, about an OST issue in their profession/workplace. This program was running in NYC for a few years and last expanded to Philadelphia and the Bay Area, and this year it’s Minneapolis’ turn.

I’m the only library person, but it’s fascinating to talk with my colleagues in the field. We’ve only met once but I’m looking forward to the year and getting some time to write about where libraries fit into this important area. Has anyone else participated in this or similar fellowships in other parts of the country? We have so much in common with other OST providers, but so much that’s different, too. What has been your experience working with other youth-serving providers in your area?

My library, and perhaps many of yours, has made some serious cuts to our training, travel and professional development budgets. Ironically, I keep hearing about amazing non-library conferences I’d like to attend. Has anyone attended the BOOST conference? It’s one of the biggest conference for out-of-school time providers, and they’re currently accepting program proposals for their April 2010 conference in Palm Springs. If your program proposal is accepted, you get free registration! When I’ve talked with OST professionals, they’re always very interested in how to partner with the library.

Are there other non-library-specific conferences that you’d recommend to others?

Over the last 4 years at Red Deer Public Library, I have found that there is a fine line between social work and teen librarianship. I am quite comfortable with the tweeny boppers plunking themselves down in a chair every day after school (or during if they are skipping) and telling me all about their lives.  This I can handle, as usually they just want someone to nod and smile and offer the occasional bit of advice. (more…)

As some people know, I am very interested in finding ways to successfully use technology with teens and figuring out ways to help librarians use technology in order to connect with teens. And, as some people know, I think Twitter is a really powerful technology that librarians should use. But, when I read reports that have been published recently saying that teens don’t tweet I think, “so what?”

Yes, it is interesting that teens haven’t taken to Twitter in the mass numbers we’ve seen for MySpace and Facebook. That doesn’t mean there aren’t teens who are using Twitter (and we should count that use as valid) and it doesn’t mean that librarians shouldn’t use Twitter in their library and professional lives. For example Twitter is an amazing tool for: (more…)

The YALSA Research Committee has completed an annotated bibliography entitled “Current Research Related to Young Adult Services, 2006-2009.” The articles included in the bibliography are listed under seven subject headings: 1) information seeking behavior, 2) intellectual freedom, 3) the Internet and other electronic resources, 4) public library services to teens, 5) school library services to teens, 6) young adult literature and teen’s reading, and 7) major non-LIS research studies related to teens.

The bibliography can be found at: http://www.ala.org/ala/mgrps/divs/yalsa/research/09researchbibliograp.pdf

Yesterday the Pew Internet in American Life project released a report on wireless Internet use. When I first heard about the report I didn’t think very broadly about what the data might have to say about the impact of access for teens (and for libraries for that matter). But, when I read several news reports that highlighted findings that wireless access, particularly on mobile devices, is serving to lessen the digital divide I started thinking about teens. While not everyone has what some might consider traditional internet access at home – a wired or wireless connection that is used with a laptop or desktop – that doesn’t mean that the Internet isn’t available in the home. People are accessing the Internet with laptops and desktops and they are using game consoles and handheld devices for their access.

If outside of the school teens use handheld devices and gaming consoles to access the Internet, we need to look at how our resources are provided to the age group. We need to make sure to provide access to programs and services in ways that work well for someone using an Internet enabled device. For example: (more…)

If you offer me a choice between going to a conference program and observing the work of a committee or board…I’ll pick the committee  and board stuff almost every time. You’ll find debate, controversy, and loads of interesting discussions.

Yesterday, I observed the ALA Executive Board. They had a pretty interesting agenda, including a report on librarian demographics. It was fascinating stuff and merits discussion amongst a wider audience.

The demographers have not compiled their findings into a final report, and it will probably be a while before we see their interpretations. I’ll walk you through the slides, but keep in mind…while the numbers aren’t completely raw, you might consider them still medium-rare. (more…)

Over the past week I’ve been reading about teens and technology and about the media’s handling of major news events. A theme running through the reading I’ve been doing is that critical thinking is an important part of what adults and teens need to do in order to make good technology decisions. For example:

• I’m not sure why I didn’t start following @larrymagid (Larry Magid) on Twitter until a couple of weeks ago, but now that I am following him, I’ve discovered three recent articles by Magid that serve to highlight the important role critical thinking plays when it comes to teens and technology.

  On June 22 Magid wrote on his blog about the need to give students a chance to use technology as a critical thinking tool and not simply outlaw devices because students might use them to cheat. (more…)

I attended the rollout of Best Buy’s @15 TeenVoice 2009 study on Monday, July [correction: June] 8.  Best Buy built the @15 website as a place for teens to find each other and express themselves and their concerns for the world, as well as suggest where Best Buy should donate its money to truly make a difference.  Best Buy tapped experts from around the country to mentor the teens and study their feedback.

With the weather changing (and changing again, and changing back, etc.) and the adrenaline rush of finals starting to subside, it’s time to think about teen health.

Whether teens have been chronically ill all their life or are just starting to get that weird tingle in the back of their throat, there are reasons to make sure that they get the kind of health care they need. Unfortunately, there are some traps that can keep them from visiting a doctor:

• No health care - According to the 2007 Census, 11% of all minors are without health coverage. While many teens might take for granted that they can cheaply see a doctor for a stomach ache, it’s sadly not the case for everyone.
• Busyness and presenteeism – Even if teens have access to health care, they might feel like they don’t have the time — or inclination — to use it. Their parents might be too busy to take them to the doctor for “little things,” or their coaches might tell them to “be a man” and fight through sickness.

A number of great online resources exist to get teens through cold season, as well as any other health issues they might be battling. Of course, no online resource is a good substitute for a doctor, but it is a start. (more…)