Books for YA Services in Public Libraries

Please create and add sections as you wish.  Add the most recent item to the top of each section. Include the citation,  a brief annotation of the item's value, your name as contributior, and the date you added it. Draw a line between each subtopic and  bullet each individual entry within the section.                                                                                                                                                                                                                              

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Jones, J. (2008, Fall2008). Freak Out or Melt Down: Teen Responses to Trauma and Depression. Young Adult Library Services, 7(1), 30-34. Retrieved October 18, 2008, from Academic Search Premier database.

 

 

Jami Jones starts out discussing the causes of trauma and its symptoms in young adults explaining how it can lead to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or depression.  There are things that librarians can do to help students through these times, such as preparing them before hand, creating a safe environment in the library, hiring librarians who like working with teens, and helping young people to move away from the scene or the events when possible.  There is a list of professional books and novels that you can use at traumatic times. After reading Speak and some of the other books this semester this is a good article to review and utilize.

David Burt, Libr 265 Fall 2008, 13 December 2008

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Vaillancourt, Renne J. (2000). Bare Bones: Young Adult Services: Tips For Public Library Generalists, 2^nd Ed. Chicago: American Library Association.

This resource can be very helpful to YA service librarians or any librarian/library staff person in general. It offers strategies to encourage youth reading, planning library services aimed towards young adults, collection building, and planning special programs for teens. Also included is an overview on technology, new trends, and current issues such as censorship and intellectual freedom.

 

Deborah Diliberto, Fall 2008

 

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Rollie, James Welch (2007). The Guy-Friendly YA [Young Adult] Library: Serving Male Teens. Westport, CO: Libraries Unlimited. 

This book offers an analysis of the teenage male, likes, dislikes, and mind-set in order to determine how best to encourage them to use the library and read more. The author offers the reminder that librarians wanting to encourage young male patron, should not alienate young female ones in the process, and suggests ways to create a “teen area”, produce promotional materials, and develop dedicated librarians for this segment of the population – the same way that young children have their own section of the library with their own dedicated staff.

 

Deborah Diliberto, Fall 2008

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Alessio, A. J. (2008).  Excellence in library services to young adults.  Chicago: Young Adult Library Services Association.

This book published by YALSA “highlights twenty-five of the best programs across the country, providing ideas for replicating and adapting them in school and public libraries.”  It is organized for easy browsing; each chapter encourages you to think about the range of possible programs and illustrates the growing trend of including teens in very aspect of the program.

-Mike Salerno, December 12, 2008

 

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Keane, Nancy J. The Big Book of Teen Reading Lists: 100 Great, Ready-to-Use Book Lists for Educators, Librarians, Parents, and Teens. Libraries Unlimited, 2006.  ISBN 1-59158-333-0

More attractive to librarians than teens, this book offers a variety of reading lists for teen patrons.  Topics listed include: Humor, Chick Lit with Minority Characters, Pirates, Clean Romance, Extreme Sports and Eco Warriors.  Those are just the beginning of numerous booklists that can be used for readers' advisory, the organization of themed book clubs, or simple browsing.  The back of the book includes a series of "If you liked..." bookmarks.  While these items, including the general book lists, could be photocopied, they would probably benefit from being reproduced through a word processing or publishing program.  Keane approves this use for non-profit purposes.

-Katharine Miller 8/10/07

 

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           Braun, Linda.(2002).  Teens.library:developing internet services for young adults. Chicago: ALA.

 

 Braun approaches the internet and teen services using the internet from a developmental point of view.  She first outlines how teens need/want the type of interaction that the internet provides, then goes on to show how libraries can fill that need.  While a good portion of the book simply outlines online resources, and as such makes the book instantly dated, what interests me more is the attitude toward the internet that pervades Braun's writing.  Instead of castigating it as the enemy, she shows how it can make a librarians job of peddling print all that much easier.  A quick read, and a refreshing look at an issue that every library is dealing with

 

Kunzel, Bonnie. (2006).  The Teen Centered Book Club.  Westport, Connecticut:  Libraries Unlimited.

 

A teen book club is sort of the holy grail of teen services.  How do we get a bunch of kids together to talk about books?  Of their own volition, we mean?  This book goes through the nitty-gritty as well as the more esoteric, everything from what kind of snacks will lure in teens to recognizing and thwarting the various kinds of cancerous book club members that might emerge ( the belligerent bully, the chronic interruptor, the rhetorical gamer).  You certainly don't have to get rid of them (that defeats the point)  but you do have to learn how to deal with them so they don't sabotage the group as a whole.  It even discusses various types of book club, from the traditional  "Read and Discuss"  to the more innovative "Book Bites"  (using em-mail to send teens short teasers of books).    All in all, an integral source for anyone out to find the teen librarians white whale, a steady, successful teen book club.

 

 

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YA LITERATURE FOR LIBRARIANS & TEACHERS

 

 

 Aronson, M. (2005). Getting over the rainbow party. Publishers Weekly, 252(32), 66.

 

This is a great article that discusses what’s really going on in the world of teenagers and reading. Despite what most adults think, young adult book sales are up 23% since 1999, compared to a flat adult market. Teens are reading more today. Popular novels, such as, fantasy, graphic novels, chick-lit (funny, sexy books with unreliable girl narrators), and rap-inspired are driving up sales. There is a reason, according to Aronson, because the adolescent population is growing in the U.S. and undoubtedly this change yields many benefits to bookstores, libraries, and schools.  

 

Gelbwasser, M. (2007). Teen authors share their Secrets. Instructor, 116(7), 66-7.

 

This is an excellent article that discusses how teachers, parents, and librarians can motivate teens to developing an interest or career in book writing. Some of the most influential teen authors today share their ideas and advice on how to plot a good book, organize the material contents, find the best backdrop, and stay true to their story dialogue. These advices are invaluable to planning and developing writing program and assignments that inspire youths and teens into the book writing professions.    

 

The Teen Reader’s Advisor by RoseMary Honnold. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2006.

 

This is an excellent resource for professionals serving teens. It addresses some of the challenges that teen reader’s advisory face (i.e., they often don’t know what’s available, are not sure what they want, and may even be too embarrassed to ask for it). This book will not only explore the quality, attitudes, characteristics, and resources that an effective reader’s advisory would need, but also take an exclusive look at the YA literature and ten famous book awards programs and examine what make them so successful. Whether you’re involved directly in the teen advisory, collection development, or outreach for the teens, this handy practical guide is full of insights and helpful experiences from the experts that will help you better connected with your teen constituents.         

 

More Teen Programs That Works by RoseMary Honnold. Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2005.

 

As a prominent young adult program expert and writer, RoseMary Honnold knows her teen subjects well. This is one of her best series on teen programs specifically designed for librarian and teachers. This book provides valuable, time-tested programs, ideas and strategies to develop and implement an effective and successful program for teens. Every aspect of the suggested service is covered with helpful hints and suggestions (e.g., book groups, games, parties, and reading programs) which target the teen populations. There are also expanded sections on partnership with community organizations and parent groups. This is a wonderful and invaluable resource for teen librarians, as well as for those professional who are serving the young adolescent populations. It is a must-have tool for all libraries.      

 

Children’s Literature ( http://childrenslit.com )

 

This is a wonderful website for teachers, parents, and librarians. The site provides professionals working with YA and children invaluable resources and tools, as well as sound reviews of more than 4,000 books annually so that teachers, librarians, childcare providers and parents could make the appropriate literacy choices for their children and young adults. It also features children’s book authors and illustrators interviews. In addition, the site provides thousands of links to parent and teacher resources, literature collections, author sites, and upcoming literary events for the kids and young adults. The teaching materials (e.g., teaching aids and guides) are one of the assets of this site. Check it out yourself and discover the abundance of resources at your finger tip.

 

See YA Around: Library Programming for Teens ( http://www.cplrmh.com ) 

 

This is an excellent website for teen program activities and reading programs. Although RoseMary Honnold sets up the website to promote her books, she does offer many invaluable resources and tools for teachers, librarians, childcare providers and parents. There are over 45 innovative ideas and program activities for teens. Amongst my favorites are the Beach Party Lock-in, Make a Journal, Live Clue, and Poetry Slam. Equally invaluable are the forms and handouts for teens. Honnald has specially crafted some of the frequently used forms and handouts that teachers and librarians could use. My beloved ones are the How to do research on careers (or for a report), Library Lingo, and Assignment Alert. Check it out and learn for yourself how useful this site really is.

 

        By Richard Le, July 27, 2007

 

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Posted by  Lori Chan.  08/01/2007

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 GLBT Issues in Public Libraries

Clyde, L.A. & Lobban, M. (2001). A door half open: Young people’s access to fiction related to homosexuality. School Libraries Worldwide, 7(2), 17-30. 

 

Downey, J. (2005). Public library collection development issues regarding the information needs of GLBT patrons.  Progressive Librarian, 25, 86-95. 

 

Spence, A. (1999). Gay young adult fiction in the public library: A comparative survey electronic version?. Public Libraries, 38(4), 224-229+. Retrieved from http://vnweb.hwwilsonweb.com.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/hww/shared/shared_main.jhtml?_requestid=61698.

 

Three articles about the state of gay-oriented YA literature.  Each article comes at the issue from a slightly different perspective, but they come to many of the same conclusions.

 

Spence’s article examines the holdings of nineteen public library systems, comparing them against a list of 99 gay-oriented youth fiction.  He finds that with the exception of a few large cities (Boston, San Francisco, New York, and Chicago), all of the library systems have very poor representation of gay youth fiction, at least as represented by the list he uses.

 

Clyde and Lobban’s article looks more broadly at the entire range of gay-oriented fiction for youths that is available, but their findings are similarly grim.  They do note that more gay-oriented fiction is being published now than ever before, but much of the fiction still presents homosexuality from a very conservative perspective, and there is still a long way to go until it achieves an appropriate level of representation compared to the size of the GLBT community.

 

Downey focuses more on the attitudes of librarians collecting GLBT materials, and the need for librarians to avoid self-censorship.  She points out that many librarians avoid purchasing GLBT materials because they believe they will be controversial in the community, because of the librarians’ own biases, or even because they do not believe there is a need in the community.  Downey urges all librarians to focus on actively puncturing myths about the GLBT community, and to work towards having a more representative collection.

 

Between them, these three articles remind us that there is much to be done in bringing GLBT materials to young adults, all the way from urging publishers to print the materials in the first place, to reminding ourselves to purchase these materials regardless of our own biases.  Any young adult librarian working with the GLBT community (which is to say, any young adult librarian) should read any or all of these articles.

 

 

       -- Mark Flowers 7/25/07

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Nichols, C.A. (Ed.) (2004). Thinking outside the book: Alternatives for today's teen library collections. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

This book offers collection development advice for YA librarians.  It has excellent chapters on teen magazines, graphic novels, audiobooks, recorded music, videos, internet, and gaming (disclosure: the chapter on videos was written by my mother).  Each chapter gives no-nonsense advice on why and how to build a collection that teens will actually want to use, including step by step instructions, and selection aids and review sources.  Essential reading for a librarian who is just starting a YA collection, and worthwhile reading for anyone else.

     -- Mark Flowers 7/24/07

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Two Hundred Years of Young Adult Library Services History

Suellentrop, T. (2006, May) Letting Go. School Library Journal, 52, 39.

Suellentrop believes that it’s time for teens to become a part of the process in library programming and planning.  She gives 10 things library professionals can do to get involved in the process:

1. Cultivate Relationships – ask teens their opinions.

2. Encourage teen reviews – ask teens to post reviews of books, music, videos and games

3. Gather teen input – place comment cards everywhere: school cafeterias, popular teen hangouts, stores.

4. Build an army of teen advocates – Educate them out what they can do in the library to make an impact.

5. Form a teen advisory council – this formalizes the process and great was to solicit on-going input for teens.

6. Invite teens to serve as regular members of library committees.

7. Recruit teen materials selectors.

8. Enlist teen tech volunteers.

9. Hire teens to help with YA programming.

10. Hire teens as computer programmers and web site designers. 

This will inspire, educate, and give teens a voice in their community.  Great ideas worth implementing. 

 Jessica Ryan, May 15, 2007

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http://www.voya.com/whatsinvoya/web_only_articles/Chronology_200506.shtml

This page from Voice of Youth Advocates is actually an inspiring look at how YA services have become integral to many library systems. It can help get some much-needed perspective on one’s work, and can help to understand some of the tensions that commonly arise in library systems.

Rachel Bernstein, May 1, 2007

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Walter, V. A. (1995). Output measures and more: Planning and evaluating public library services for young adults. Chicago: ALA Editions.

This book includes everything that a public library needs to assess when developing or evaluating their services to teens. There is in-depth discussion about what services should be measured and how to calculate the results for accurate information. The text includes 25 ready to use forms and survey techniques. This is an informative book for any public library that wants to improve its services to young adults.

 Lynn McCormick, 11-20-06

Anderson, Sheila B. Extreme Teens: Library Services to Nontraditional Young Adults. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2005.

The why and the how from one with experience. David Loertscher, Oct 2, 2006.

Kunzel, Bonnie and Constance Hardesty. The Teen-Centered Book Club: Readers into Leaers. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited, 2006.

How to get organized and activities and books to use. David Leortscher, Oct. 2, 2006.

Dresang, Eliza T., Melissa Gross, and Leslie Edmonds Holt (2006) Dynamic Youth Services Through Outcome-Based Planning and Evaluationi. American Library Association. Chicago.

Provides guidance for setting up measuring tools as program planning proceeds so that funders, either local or through grants, can understand the impact of those programs upon young adults. david Loertscher, Sept 6, 2006 

Donelson, K. L. & Nilsen, A. P. (2005). Literature for today's young adults. (7th ed.) Boston: Pearson Education, Inc. 

This textbook is a great resource.  It has several author interviews, lists, and focus boxes for every genre giving annotated bibliographies of many books.  It even has a very revelent "Pop Culture" chapter (which can become outdated quickly).  The book also has a website that has additional information and resources that stand alone or connect with specific parts of the textbook.  Even if you don't have the book, check out the web site at www.ablongman.com/donelson7/e .

Paula Miller,  August 9, 2006

Anderson, Shelia B. (2005). Extreme Teens: Library Services to Nontraditional Young Adults. Westport, CT; Libraries Unlimited.

Though a short book considering the depth and variety of the subject matter, Extreme Teens is a good one-stop-shop for any nontraditional teen service population that a librarian is likely to encounter. The book has resource lists, statistics and background information for dealing with the more high profile extreme teens, such as at-risk youth, but also many more nontraditional teens including: teens in foster care; abused teens; married teens; gay, lesbian and transgender teens; pregnant teens; homeless teens; runaways; delinquent teens; high school and college simultaneous enrolled teens; and many others. Non-fiction and fiction resources, staff resources, staff training and empathy are all covered in this well researched and presented book.

        Ryan  Baker , Aug 5, 2006, 262 Summer

Rodriguez, Luis J. (2001). Hearts and Hands: Creating Community in Violent Times. New York; Seven Stories Press.

Hearts in Hands is recommended as a professional reading. The book takes first hand and anecdotal accounts of at-risk youth, teens on drugs and gang members and weaves it into a complex commentary on the nature of the social structure that creates the conditions that lead youth into these problems. This may be one of the only books that give parents, teachers and librarians the individual background necessary to understand the world and situations that inner-city youth face. It may at first shock our perceptions when Rodriguez tells us about a gang member but describes him as “a decent guy” or lets us know that he was also a good student or that he was honest and funny or that she is trying to make sense of a world where a dozen of her friends die each year. The book contains many vignettes such as these and contrasts them to the bitter social conditions right outside their doors. Rodriguez examines ideas and offers suggestions for working with at-risk youth on a level in which you truly understand the struggle that at-risk youth are facing.

                Ryan Baker, Aug 5, 2006, 262 Summer

Whelan, D. (2006). OUT and Ignored. School Library Journal, 52(1), 46-50.

The subtitle of the article is “Why are so many school libraries reluctant to embrace gay teens?” which gives a good description of the article. The article is good introduction and overview of gay, lesbian and transgender teens in the school environment and suggestions of ways that librarians can bridge gaps of understanding and inclusion.

               Ryan Baker, Aug 5, 2006, 262 Summer

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Trelease, Jim (2001)The Read-Aloud handbook (4th ed.), New York: Penguin Books.

This fourth edition of a excellent manual to assist adults working with young people to help a child become an avid reader.  The Books suggests creative reader friendly library environment ideas.  Includes more than 1,500 children's books suggestion with an annotation for each.  Very helpful!

   Laura Erickson, July 16, 2006

Horning, Kathleen T. (1997) From cover to cover:Evaluating and reviewing Children's Books. New York: Harper Collins Publishing.

This handy manual gives suggestions for evaluating books. Chapters include critically evaluating different genres: books of information, traditional literature, poetry, picture books and easy reader and transitional books (appropriate for young adults) as well as fiction.  A final chapter includes a "how to" to writing reviews.  An excellent resource

Laura Erickson, July 16, 2006

Jones, Patrick. (1998). Connecting young adults and libraries: A how-to-do-it manual (2nd ed.). New York: Neal-Schuman. 

Jones is a man with a mission to assit librarians in serving the young adult library patron, and he knows the animal and its territory. In this comprehnsive volume, he explains what constitutes high quality customer service to teens, collection development for the young adult library user, how to booktalk so kids will want to read, the importance of an appealing space, promoting YA services, and technology's impact on youth. There is a third edition (2004) that updates some sections. See Patrick Jones' Web site at  http://www.connectingya.com

Judith Toebe, July 11, 2006

Walter, Virginia & Meyers, E. ( 2003). Teens and libraries: Getting it right. Chicago: American Library Association.

We must learn from the past, take a critical view of the present, and then--based on rereading and synthesizing knowledge gleaned from those endeavors--develop strategies for the future in which we usher in a "new golden age of library service to teens."  YA librarians will value the appendix with a toolkit of innovative models and practical resources.

Judith Toebe, June 28, 2006

Koelling, Holly. (2004). Classic connections: Turning teens on to great literature. Westport, CT: Libraries Unlimited.

"Can teens be as fascinated, horrified, thrilled shocked, moved by classics as they are by their popular reading choices?" asks Koelling. Her answer: "Yes, and at times infinitely more so, but they likely don't know it" (xvii). Part of the publisher's Professioal Guides for Young Adult Librarians Series, this volume's primary intended audience is public YA librarians; but school librarians, other educators, parents, and any person working with young people will find it a treasured source of inspiration and detailed practical advice.

Judith Toebe, June 28, 2006

Aronson, R. (2001). Exploding the myths: the truth about teenagers and reading. Lanham, MD: Scarecrow Press, Inc.

Debunking myths and preconceptions about Young Adults and young adult reading habits, Aronson takes an insightful look at the nature of the Young Adult novel, its history, and the genres associated with Young Adult resources in general.

Ryan Gan - June 20, 2006 LIBR 262 Summer 2006

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Nichols, Mary A. & Nichols, C. Allen (Eds.). (1998). Young adults and public libraries : A handbook of materials and services. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press. 

This handbook provides various topics that range from intellectual freedom to programming and electronic resources.  Marketing ideas are also featured, as well as tips for new programs and how to re-vamp existing programs.  Emphasis in collection development is on quality materials, as well as titles that are popular with teens.  Articles are written by 24 leading experts in the field of Young Adult services.

McGrath, R. (2000). Bare bones young adult services: tips for public library generalists. Chicago, IL: American Library Association. 

Great guide that features tips, ideas, and advice from Librarian Renee McGrath Vaillancourt.  Ms. McGrath talks about the needs of young adults, on how to interact with them and how to evaluate their websites.  These tips are aimed more at small to medium sized public libraries.  

Adriana Melgoza 6.08.06 LIBR262 Summer 2006

 Mondowney, J.G. (2001).  Hold Them In Your Heart: Successful Strategies for Library Services to At-Risk Teens.  New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers. 

Very informative and compassionate guide for librarians providing services to underprivileged teenagers.  Most of the reports feature programs that have been successful in such urban areas as San Francisco and Oakland, although the book also has accounts written by librarians in east coast cities like Baltimore.  The emphasis is on reaching out to kids through homework assistance and providing guidance for the future.  Full of ideas for programs and reports on how they were implemented, budgets, measures of success, community involvement. 

Jean Miller 4.12.07 LIBR262 Spring 2007

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