Urban teenagers are a socially conscious group, technologically aware, highly diverse and apparently uncontrolled. These urban teenagers need access to libraries and library services for homework help, study and research, computer use, socialising, browsing the books and even for listening to music, to list a few of the many reasons. Brehm‐Heeger's guide to serving this diverse and demanding group of users explores current, effective models for public library service provision to teenagers. She also considers future possibilities and leads her readers to the necessary resources and tools with which to achieve success. Her recommendations include staffing solutions, partnership suggestions, programme ideas, technological collection proposals, training models and ideas and, importantly, tackling space issues. The guide is handy, succinct, relevant, timely and packed full of accessible and achievable ideas.
Urban teenagers are often a much‐maligned group of people not only in terms of their use of public library services but also in terms of their general use of public space. Considered to be a nuisance by many adults, teenagers in the twenty‐first century will find that there are very few social options open to them in their home towns or cities. After school, often early in the afternoon, many teenagers will return to an empty home as parents are still at work. As a result they often therefore choose to spend time out with friends. Unfortunately, there are very few places offering activities dedicated to this diverse group, resulting in their regular visits to warm and comfortable, safe and free public library services. Once in the library these teenagers often feel that the activities on offer are not suited to them so they sit around, chat and socialise. Teenagers rarely intend to make themselves a nuisance; they just need to have their energies directed and channelled in a more relevant and creative way.
Public libraries have traditionally catered for an adult audience. In recent years they have adapted their services to target young parents, babies, toddlers and young children, but the notoriously difficult to please teenage user has been overlooked. There are many options and avenues open to librarians who would like to make changes in this respect and Brehm‐Heeger presents hers in a user‐friendly, accessible format. She begins by explaining how library services have developed historically. Her study then moves on to consider the use of staff and volunteers, before directly addressing the specifics of making space for teenagers, collection development, programming (creating activities) and methods for partnership working and outreach.
One of the very first suggestions Brehm‐Heeger makes is that it is vital for all library staff to understand that they serve teenagers as part of the wider community. She presents a table outlining the assets of library use for teenage users before explaining in greater detail how to use these assets, e.g. adult role models, to the best possible effect. Staff should, she suggests, treat teenagers with respect, be clear as to what is expected of them and maintain a good relationship with them. Some library services may also wish to consider training staff to work directly with teenagers, ensuring that there is an aspect of the service catering for their specific needs. A decision to follow this route does require significant commitment but the resultant rewards for the library service make it worthwhile considering. Brehm‐Heeger offers a detailed discussion of the nature of the training required by staff in teen library services, presenting possible scenarios to work through and providing an insight into the developmental stages of teenagers themselves.
The book continues in much the same style to cover every aspect of a library service that is dedicated to teenagers. Case studies and possible scenarios are presented, arguments are made for and against possible service requirements and changes, and plenty of reading material is recommended. For any librarian or library service considering an expansion of services, or who is required to make a case for offering a more definitive service to teenagers, this book is an indispensable resource presenting a wide range of arguments, very useful case studies and scenarios to consider. There are training tips, staffing solutions, partnership suggestions, problem solving ideas, technology and collection development proposals among the many topics covered, the range is wide and the depth of information is excellent. This is certainly a must‐read book for any public library or indeed other service that caters for the diverse group of teenage users.
