Teen Services Resources and Tips
Contact:  Beth Yates ~ Indiana State Library ~ byates@library.in.gov
This page contains various resources to assist with teen services.

Teen Development:

  • Social/Emotional Development – Teens are figuring out who they are and where they belong, as well as how they relate to others.  They are developing their personality, likes, and dislikes.  Libraries can help with this through programming (exploring interests) and giving teens a place to hang out with peers (developing interpersonal skills) and trusted adults (library staff).
  • Biological Development – Onset of puberty begins ages 10-12 for girls, 11-13 for boys. Remember – it’s difficult to determine age at first glance during this time because they mature at vastly different rates, so don’t assume maturity levels.
  • Cognitive (brain) Development – Teen brains are not fully developed!  The areas of their brain that helps with impulse control, setting priorities, and organizing; planning and adapting to the social environment they are in; and putting situations into context via retrieved memories connected to gut reactions may not be fully developed until the age of 25. Meanwhile, the area responsible for acting on impulse, fear, and aggression develops early. Mistakes are inevitable. Be patient and understanding, and give them second chances.

 

Teen Tips – General

Helpful in developing relationships and avoiding problem behavior in long term.

  • Learn their names and get to know them
  • Empathize–remember what it was like to be a teen
  • Listen to them, let them share their interests
  • Cut them slack / don’t stereotype
  • Be accepting/non-judgmental
  • Treat them like the adults they think they are; don’t talk down to them

Teen Tips – Behavior Management:

  • Keep your cool–don’t let them see you upset, it will tip the balance of power
  • Don’t take it personally–the trouble they might be causing is not aimed at you, they are in their own worlds
  • Give them a reason/explain why–if they understand why a behavior is problematic, they are more likely to stop
  • Criticize behavior not person–everyone has bad days; ask for a change in behavior
  • Be flexible or consider loosening some rules for teens
  • Be firm, fair, and consistent
  • Have an Appropriate Library Behavior Policy you can point to for support.

 

Developmental Needs and Outcomes

Teens Need Libraries – YALSA outlines why teens need libraries

CASEL 5 Social Emotional Competencies – competencies teens need to gain during adolescence so they can become fulling functioning adult members of society

 7 Developmental Needs of Adolescents – what teens need in order to build competencies.

 

Programming for Teens

 YALSA Professional Tools – YALSA’s one-stop-shop with useful links, including:

 

Working with Teens

Teen Services: A Fresh Perspective – excellent tips for interacting with teens from the Illinois Library Association.

10 Tips: Building Relationships with Youth – quick tips for interacting with teens from the National AfterSchool Association.

 

Reaching Teens

Asset Mapping: What is it?  – quick video overview of asset mapping.

ConnectedLib Guide to Community Asset Mapping – module that walks you through community asset mapping.