Weekly Claswork

Booktalk

Hello!

Please enjoy this Booktalk on Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling. 

Enjoy!

Interview A Librarian

 The YA Librarian at my library, Ms. Miranda, is relatively new to our staff as she has been with us for about a year. Our teen collection, however, was created many years ago by a former teen librarian. She explained that she has been growing and updating the collection since she arrived. When I asked what her methods were for knowing what would interest them, Ms. Miranda explained that she utilizes several methods to keep on top of what teens are into and what materials are important to include in the collection. She said that frequents websites such as “teen services underground” and “epic reads.” However, she also explained how she pays attention to different libraries and to Netflix. My takeaway was the importance of having a variety sources to help curate and maintain a young adult collection.

Ms. Miranda also explained how previously, the teen section did not contain books in Spanish. Since our town has a higher Spanish-speaking population, she specifically created a section with those materials. This taught me to pay attention to the community and add what will attract patrons who may not have their interests and needs represented.

We also discussed what qualities would be important for a successful YA librarian. She explained the need to set boundaries with them, but yet be professionally at their level. She also explained that it is important to be up to date on their interests to remain relevant. I learned that it is important to understand what is important to them now in order to best meet their needs.

One of my biggest takeaways from my discussion with our YA librarian is a reminder of digital barriers. Even though our field has become more advanced with technology, and young adults can sometimes be those to introduce new technologies, it doesn’t mean we should be quick to utilize it. Towards the end of our discussion, I brought up this past year and the emergence of the COVID-19 virus and asked how it has or has not affected the services provided to teens. I asked if she was utilizing digital technologies for programs and services more due to the encouragement of social distancing and in some cases quarantining. Ms. Miranda pointed out several situations that actually held her back from thoroughly utilizing technology to meet their needs.

She explained that while many teens have access to some form of it for homework or recreation, not all do. For some, our services were their opportunity to computers or the internet. She explained that in some situations, she isn’t quick to create online programs for teens because it may mean not all interested parties may be able to participate. She also reminded me of privacy for teens. The digital divide is not the only barrier that needs to be considered when creating programming for teens, but their safety as well.

Participatory Culture Experience

For the Teen Participatory Culture Experience, I chose to utilize the Tik Tok app because it is one that I have not only heard teens discuss, but also my friends and family. Unfortunately, I didn’t understand the experience since I had no experience using it. My husband previously compared it to a similar app that is no longer in use called “Vine.” Vine was similar in that users had the opportunity to create very short videos for others to view and enjoy. Tik Tok now fills that niche.

When I first created my account on the app, immediately videos came up on the screen, not as pop-ups, but as the home screen. This happened each time I opened the app. The first thing I learned about Tik Tok is that since it is video based, the home screen is composed of the trending videos that are seconds long and you swipe through to view. You are able to search a specific topic or page and, if you enjoy it, book mark it to view more. You are able to “like,” comment on, and share videos that you particularly enjoy. Since many of the videos that I was viewing were silly, I chose not to comment, but I “liked” many of them. Another primary component in having a Tik Tok account was actually creating a video. I recruited a few family members who were very active users to show me the ropes because this type of all-in-one recording and editing is not something I’d previously done. And, for some of the “dance” videos that teens learn and then create their own versions of, its more interesting if they are rehearsed and performed. I learned that there is a real art to creating the videos in that the entire process is completely within the app itself. This includes recording and adding the sound or text if interested.

For teens who are interested in experiencing short video production creativity this is exceptionally useful. When I was this age, I actually was interested and beginning to learn the process of video production. Unfortunately for me, the entire creation of a video package was done with several external components and the use of a laptop or desktop computer was necessary. Now, with this app for a user’s cellphone, an entire short video package can be created and quickly. Truly I believe that is the draw to the app, everything about it is fast so the user is able to produce and/or consume more in a short period of time.

In regards to safety however, I did find many opportunities for danger if a teen isn’t careful. There are privacy settings for the app accessed via the user’s profile. However, if a teen user is not paying attention, looking for them, or interested in modifying them, there could be the opportunity for unwanted interactions with other users such as predators or bullies. When I created and posted a video of adult family members performing a synchronized dance and applied hashtags (as recommended by my sister-in-law, a late teen), a commonality amongst younger users, roughly half of the individuals who “liked” the video were those I have never met. Some even decided to follow my profile. Since I added literally no identifying information about myself to the profile, including a picture, I don’t mind. However, I have found with other apps that teens are much more likely to not only add information about themselves, but a picture and their name. As a librarian, I would recommend this app to teens. However, I  would definitely recommend they be careful with their accounts, what they post, and what they share to ensure they don’t encounter any dangerous consequences and be there to provide assistance doing so.

Overall, Tik Tok was definitely an interesting experience and more fun than I expected. There is definitely a range of videos that are constantly being added for teens to enjoy and draw inspiration from. Also, I was definitely impressed with the ease of video creation. Would I recommend this for teens? Absolutely, but would also stress the modification and maintenance of privacy settings. Will I maintain the account I created? Maybe. More and more of the people around me are using this app and discussing it. And I can’t deny… some of those videos are great.