Despite the many years that I have worked within a public
library, Teen Services was the department I knew the least. While never in a librarian
leadership position, I became most familiar with Children’s and Adult
materials. In this course, I was endeavoring to learn more about an area of
librarianship of which I had the least knowledge and experience.
(Sheneman, 2020)
From previous courses, I had learned about the digital divide. However, it become abundantly apparent with the onset of pandemic earlier this year, strongly affecting children and teens as they try to navigate remote learning and connecting with friends and family. Through this course, I learned ways that I, a teen librarian, could assist them and how to do so. One of the greatest ideals to remember is that one cannot assume that because technology and access are growing in popularity all teens will be able to take advantage of them.
 |
| (Baker, 2020) |
I have always been aware of and enjoyed teen novels, fiction and non-fiction alike, I have felt that this course has helped me to grow beyond the idea of a collection curator and promoter. While I have been introduced to many excellent materials by means of the weekly topics, reading log assignments, and virtual book discussions, I learned that in order to be a successful librarian I need to look beyond that ideal. Another important lesson that I learned throughout this course was to meet all the needs of teens. These are displayed in Reimagined Library Services for and with Teens (Rawson, n.d.). The graph that was depicted in this document displays the several different areas that teens need met in order for them to grow and be successful, literate adults in our growing, changing society. While I personally focused on the “creative” need specifically in my final project assignment, that I would need to address as a teen librarian, ensuring that find methods to address all by means of programming and material curation is as vital.
To be honest, due to my lack of experience in the field itself, I worry that I may struggle with meeting all teens’ needs at first. I want to be sure to create/add to a collection and programming to all students of all ages, not only those such as “creativity” because I personally flourish in that area myself. However, if I have learned anything in this course, even about myself, it is that in using my own creativity I can go above and beyond planning and executing new and interesting programs.
 |
| ([Harry Potter Library Meme], n.d.) |
This course has definitely taught me what it means to be an effective young adult services librarian. Since teens are in a stage of life transitioning from child to adulthood, it was important that I learn how best to connect with them in order to understand and meet their needs. These lessons are vial in order to appropriately serve them. As a result, I feel significantly more prepared for my future in this role. Following the conclusion of this course I will endeavor to utilize what I learned and help to make changes in order to create improvements to programs and how the area grows as whole.
Baker, K. (2020). Lumberjanes Book Cover [Image]. Connecticut.
[Harry Potter Library Meme]. (n.d.). https://fremont.libnet.info/images/events/fremont/library_meme.png.
Rawson, C. (n.d.) Reimagined Library Services For And With Teens. YALSA. http://www.ala.org/yalsa/sites/ala.org.yalsa/files/content/TeensFirst_ReimaginedLibServices_final_newlogo.pdf.
Sheneman, D. (2020). Distance
Learning [Image]. https://www.nj.com/resizer/iKDXe8kDg8j_NIMw_N6Q-wssCC0=/1280x0/smart/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/advancelocal/QY6J6C7ETNAMHNOK6UWPFERKZI.jpg.
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