Product Description

If someone is described as a young adult, what image comes to mind? In fact, a "young adult" can be a twelve-year-old middle-schooler or a high school graduate. Libraries have traditionally offered a variety programs and services for YAs, and although more emphasis has been given to serving teens in recent years, little has been done to distinguish between groups within the category, and meet the specific developmental needs of this broad range of library users. This collection complements Anderson's previous collection, Serving Older Teens, by focusing on the needs of "tweens" and young teens, ages 11-14. This is the age range when many young people stop using the library and lose interest in reading. Notable teen experts and stellar practitioners from across the country explain why service to adolescents in this age range is so important, and how you can enhance your collection and services to accommodate and win over this important group. Topics range from understanding adolescent informational needs and building and promoting a winning collection, to creating programs with "tween" appeal. Contributors include Sheila Anderson, James Rosinia, Deb Taylor, Robyn Lupa, Brenda Hager and Kristine Mahood. Brimming with valuable insights and fresh ideas, as well as nuts and bolts directions, this is a must read for all librarians who work with young adolescents.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #681045 in Books
• Published on: 2006-11-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 188 pages

From Booklist
Another in the Professional Guides for Young Adult Librarians Series, this one is aimed at librarians serving middle school, roughly ages 10-14. The book defines tweens developmentally and describes nonfiction and fiction resources, programming, and booktalking for this group. Well-qualified contributors provide practical ideas, balanced and specific examples, up-to-date book lists, and citations to research-oriented works. From the first chapter ("Childhood Left Behind") to the index, the book is sure to provide working librarians with tools they'll use immediately. The booktalking section alone, with few titles older than 2002, gives advice on classroom presentations plus usable write-ups of more than two-dozen talks. A terrific book for most public, middle-, and high-school professional collections. Susan Gooden
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Review
“The material presented is both practical and valuable for any library interested in enhancing its outreach and hoping to increase its appeal to tweens.”–Reference & User Services Quarterly

“The teenaged library can be a trial, to which many librarians can attest. This book gives them strong reminders of what is happening to them developmentally that might help librarians in dealing with this age bracket. The first chapter should be required reading for all library staff members. The booktalking chapter will be helpful to anyone needing encouragement for school visits. Few libraries could go wrong with purchasing this highly recommended title for youth and teen librarians' professional collections.”–VOYA

“This book contains chapters that define tweens and young teens, and then goes on to recommend nonfiction resources, fiction books, programming ideas, and booktalk suggestions for that age group.”–Library Media Connection

“Well-qualified contributors provide practical ideas, balanced and specific examples, up-to-date book lists, and citations to research-oriented works. From the first chapter ("Childhood Left Behind") to the index, the book is sure to provide working librarians with tools they'll use immediately. The booktalking section alone, with few titles older than 2002, gives advice on classroom presentations plus usable write-ups of more than two-dozen talks. A terrific book for most public, middle- and high-school professional collections.”–Booklist/Professional Reading

“Intended for librarians, this guide explains what makes middle school students unique from younger children and older teens, and offers advice on planning programs and services based on their needs. The five contributions suggest fiction books and nonfiction resources for this age group, as well aselectronic materials and internet web sites, educational and imaginative activities, and sample booktalk programs.”–Reference & Research Book News

“Each chapter has good lists of resources and suggestions to use immediately. Although the book will be of major interest to young adult librarians in public libraries, it will also be extremely useful to middle school teacher-librarians in search of fresh ideas for services to this group. Recommended.”–Teacher Librarian

About the Author
SHEILA B. ANDERSON is Director of the Dover Public Library in Delaware, editor of Serving Older Teens , and author of Extreme Teens (both in this series). She has served on the YALSA Board of Directors, the Selected DVDs and Videos for Young Adults Committee, the Professional Development Committee, and the Best of the Best Books for Young Adults Preconference Committee. She is also a YALSA Serving the Underserved (SUS) Trainer. The recipient of the France Henne/YALSA/VOYA Research Grant and the Baker & Taylor/YALSA Conference Grant, Ms. Anderson maintains a web site at www.sheilabanderson.com.