Public Libraries

100 Pages·2008·3.71 MB·English

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Public library association
Volume 47 • number 1 •january/february 2008
issn 0163-5506
DEp ARTmEnTS
4 News from PLA
FEATURES
kathleen hughes
50 Striving to Serve Diverse Youth
5 On the Agenda
Mainstreaming Teens with Special Needs through Public
Library Programming 7 From the President
elsworth rockefeller jan sanders
To be effective in their field, public librarians in YA services must
attempt to serve all youth, including those with unique needs. 20 Tales from the Front
jennifer t. ries-taggart
56 Bringing Books to Life for Teens by Having
Teens Give Life to Books 24 Perspectives
kelli dean and doug tattershall nanci milone hill
The Lexington (Ky.) Public Library partnered with The Actors Guild
of Lexington to offer teens a new way to get into summer reading. 33 Book Talk
carlie webber
59 Beyond Books
38 Internet Spotlight
Restorative Librarianship in Juvenile Detention Centers
michael porter and
isaac gilman
david lee king
Public libraries can have a greater impact on incarcerated teens by
designing services that intentionally support the missions of the
42 Bringing in the Money
facilities.
lee price
67 Gaming as a Library Service
46 Passing Notes
julie scordato
michael garrett farrelly
How do you bring video game programs for teens into your
organization? Author provides ideas and tools for building support
87 By the Book
before and after gaming.
julie elliott
74 Great Stories Club
93 New Product News
donna alward
vicki nesting
Author details a grant-funded reading/discussion program that the
Houghton Lake (Mich.) Public Library provided for at-risk teens in ExTR AS
two local detention facilities.
2 Editor’s Note
80 Youth, Public Libraries, and the Internet,
2 Readers Respond
Part Four 10 Verso—Young Adult Services
Why Youth Do Not Use the Public Library and Technology in Public
june abbas, melanie kimball, kay bishop, and george d'elia Libraries
The final installment of this ongoing series looks at youth’s reasons 16 Verso—Get Ready for
for not using the public library and any connection their preference Teen Tech Week
for the Internet may have. 95 Index to Advertisers
cover and table of contents images by jim lange design.
EDITORIAL
EDITOR: Kathleen M. Hughes
CONTRIBUTING EDITORS: Julie Elliott, Michael Garrett Farrelly,
Nann Blaine Hilyard, Nanci Milone-Hill, David Lee King, Vicki
Nesting, Michael Porter, Lee Price, Jennifer T. Ries-Taggart
ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Bessie Condos, Sacramento, CA; Sally Decker Smith, Wheeling,
IL; Luren E. Dickinson, Shaker Heights, OH; Patricia Linville,
Seward, AK; Nanci Milone Hill, Methuen, MA.
EX OFFICIO: Susan Hildreth, State Library of California, 914
Capitol Mall, Sacramento, CA 95814; [email protected].
PLA PRESIDENT: Jan Sanders, Pasadena Public Library, 285 E.
Walnut St., Pasadena, CA 91101; [email protected].
PUBLIC LIBRARIES (ISSN 0163-5506) is published bimonthly at
50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. It is the official publication of
the Public Library Association, a division of the American Library Editor’s Note
Association. Subscription price: to members of PLA, $25 a year,
included in membership dues; to nonmembers: U.S. $50; Canada Welcome to our annual theme issue— this year the theme
$60; all other countries $60. Single copies, $10. Periodicals postage is Services to Teens. How does your library serve the teens
paid at Chicago, IL, and at additional mailing offices.
or young adults in your community? Are you looking for
POSTMASTER: send address changes to Public Libraries, new ideas, different perspectives, or dynamic programming
50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611. suggestions? This issue is packed with articles on innova-
SUBSCRIPTIONS tive teen library programming, services to disenfranchised
Nonmember subscriptions, orders, changes of address, and youth, various analyses of YA data, and a lot more about
inquiries should be sent to Public Libraries, Sub scription working with teens. Does your library have a rocky relation-
Department, American Library Association, 50 E. Huron St.,
Chicago, IL 60611; 1-800-545-2433, press 5; fax: [phone]; ship with area teens? Check out the Perspectives column to
[email protected]. see how some libraries have turned around strained or dif-
ADVERTISING ficult relationships with local teens. In addition to the fea-
Doug Lewis, Jordan Gareth Inc., 4920 Hwy 9, #141, Alpharetta, ture articles, all of our regular columnists have also focused
GjoArd a3n0g0a0re4t;h .c(7o7m0;) Te3r3ri3t-o1r2y8: 1F,L , MfaxS:, A(L4,0 G4A) , N80C6, -S7C7,4 K5Y; , TdNou, VgA@, their writing on teen services. We hope you find this theme
WV, MD, DE, NJ, NY, CT, RI, MA, NH, VT, and ME. Dave Adrian, issue helpful, inspirational, and enjoyable.
DCAav 9id1 3M0.3 A; d(8r1ia8n) &88 A8s-s5o2c8i8a,t efsa,x 7: 2(5811 8Ja) m88es8o-0n5 P4l7a;c de,m Caadnroiagna @Paarokl., Also in this issue (in News from PLA and From the
com; Territory: PA, OH, MI, IN, IL, WI, MN, IA, MO, AR, LA, TX, President) you’ll find information about the proposed PLA
OHKI, ,A KKS ,a NnEd, a SlDl i,n NteDr,n MatTio, WnaYl, cCoOu,n NtrMie,s A.Z, UT, ID, WA, OR, NV, CA, Bylaws changes. Visit the PLA Web site (www.pla.org) for
PRODUCTION more information or the PLA Blog (www.plablog.org) to
post a comment about the proposed changes.
ALA PRODUCTION SERVICES: Troy D. Linker, Karen Sheets,
Chris Keech, and Tim Clifford. Be sure to let us know how you enjoy our YA theme issue
MANUSCRIPTS and we’d love to hear suggestions for future themes, too.
Unless otherwise noted, all submissions should be sent to
Kathleen Hughes, Public Library Association, 50 E. Huron St., Kathleen M. Hughes
Chicago, IL 60611; [email protected]. See www.pla.org for sub-
Editor
mission instructions.
INDEXING/ABSTRACTING
Public Libraries is indexed in Library Literature and Current Kathleen is reading Shorter Works by Jane Austen.
Index to Journals in Education (CIJE), in addition to a num-
ber of online services. Contents are ab stracted in Library and
Information Science Abstracts.
MICROFILM COPIES
Microfilm copies are available from University Microf ilms, 300
N. Zeeb Rd., Ann Arbor, MI 48103.
The paper used in this publication meets the minimum
requirements of American National Standard for Information
Sciences—Permanence of Paper for Printed Library Materials,
ANSI Z39.48-1992.
©2008 by the American Library Association
All materials in this journal are subject to copyright by the
American Library Association and may be photocopied for the
noncommercial purpose of scientific or educational advance-
ment granted by Sections 107 and 108 of the Copyright Revision
Act of 1976. For other reprinting, photocopying, or translating,
address requests to the ALA Office of Rights and Permissions,
50 E. Huron St., Chicago, IL 60611.
public libraries 2
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news from pla
News from PLA
Candidate Slate for Susan Hill Pieper, Paulding County
2008 PLA Election (Ohio) Carnegie Library
Valerie Rowe-Jackson, Richland
County Public Library, Columbia,
South Carolina
President/Vice-President
Elect
Carolyn A. Anthony, Skokie (Ill.)
PLA Division Councilor
Public Library
Claudia Burnett Sumler, Harford
Sari Feldman, Cuyahoga Public
County Library, Belcamp,
Library, Parma, Ohio
Maryland
Christine Lind Hage, Rochester
Hills Public Library, Rochester,
Cluster Steering Committees 2:30–4 p.m. Opening General Session
Michigan
Two will be elected for each Cluster featuring Keynote Speaker John
Steering Committee. Wood
Ballot mailing begins and online
4–6:30 p.m. Exhibits Grand Opening
polls open on March 17, 2008. Polls
Issues and Concerns Cluster Reception
close at 11:59 p.m. CST, on April 24,
Marion W. Francis, Anne Arundel 6–7:30 p.m. New Member Reception
2008.
County Public Library, Annapolis,
Maryland Thursday, March 27, 2008
Mary Anne Hodel, Orange County PLA 2008—12th 7:30–8:30 a.m. Informational Session
Library System, Orlando, Florida regarding PLA Bylaws Change
National Conference
Bruce P. Schauer, King County 9:45–10:30 a.m. Exhibits Coffee Break
Library System, Seattle, Noon–1:45 p.m. Author Luncheons—
Washington Children’s Author Luncheon
Registration Deadline
Felton Thomas, Las Vegas–Clark featuring Pat Mora and
County Library, Las Vegas, Nevada Advance registration deadline Raul Colon or Adult Author
is February 29, 2008 (date of Luncheon featuring Arthur and
Library Development Cluster postmark) Pauline Frommer (requires
Pamela E. Jaskot, State Library of Register online at www.pla.org. preregistration)
North Carolina, Durham 3:15–4 p.m. Exhibits Coffee Break
Kathy M. Knox, Pueblo County 6–8:30 p.m. Audio Publishers
(Colo.) Library District Conference Highlights Association Dinner (requires
Larry Nash White, East Carolina As you’re busy planning your 2008 preregistration)
University, LSIT, Greenville, PLA conference schedule (view the
North Carolina complete programming schedule at Friday, March 28, 2008
Gary L. Shaffer, Sacramento (Calif.) www.placonference.org) don’t forget 7:30–8:30 a.m. Informational Session
Public Library to pencil in time for these special regarding PLA Bylaws Change
events (check onsite program for 9:45–10:30 a.m. Exhibits Coffee Break
Library Services Cluster program locations): Noon–1:45 p.m. Author Lunches—
Judy A. Napier, Schaumburg (Ill.) Young Adult Author Luncheon
District Library Wednesday, March 26, 2008 featuring Nancy Pearl (requires
Jennifer J. Owens, Fremont Public 10:30–11:30 a.m. Nancy Pearl preregistration) or Adult Author
Library, Mundelein, Illinois Presents Book Buzz Luncheon featuring Louise
public libraries 4
news from pla
Erdrich (requires preregistration) bloggers will fan out to bring all of inclusive means of people working
3:15–4 p.m. Exhibits Hall Closing the important details to our readers. together on common interests. It
Reception If you will be at the conference and will allow more people to self-select
7–9 p.m. All Conference Reception want to help blog sessions or other their level of participation without
live events, drop us a line at the requirements of Midwinter
Saturday, March 29, 2008 [email protected] and we’ll Meeting or Annual Conference
11:45 a.m.–1 p.m. Closing Session give you all the details. attendance.
Q. How will these Communities of
Can’t Make it to Proposed PLA Bylaws Practice interact?
Minneapolis? Changes—Frequently
This year, librarians who can’t Asked Questions A. Some will choose to continue
meeting at the ALA Midwinter and
make the trip to Minneapolis will You’ve heard about the proposal
Annual conferences and PLA will
be able to participate virtually in to change PLA bylaws (see From
continue to provide a space for that
the PLA National Conference. The the President, page 7) which PLA
PLA 2008 Virtual Conference will members will vote on in the upcom- purpose. Many will meet online in
feature panel discussions, poster ing 2008 election. Here are some a virtual community. PLA is work-
sessions, interactive workshops, answers to common questions about ing with the current Technology in
and chats with colleagues, all from the bylaws change. To see side-by- Public Libraries committee and the
the comfort of your computer. The side versions of the bylaws with Emerging Leaders project to develop
Virtual Conference will include tracked changes, visit www.pla this environment. A major selling
live, interactive webcasts; handouts .org. To voice your opinion about the point is that to be a part of a CoP,
and other supporting presentation proposed changes, visit the PLA Blog any PLA member would simply sign
materials; online poster sessions; or attend one of two informational up online for the communities of
and discussion boards. The Virtual sessions that will be held during their choosing.
Conference will be held on Thursday, the upcoming 2008 PLA National
March 27, and Friday, March 28, Conference. Q. What about other committees?
during the PLA 12th National
Conference. Registration fees are as A. These standing committees
Q. Why is the PLA Board of Directors
follows: PLA Members—$200; ALA remain: Awards, Bylaws, Budget
proposing that the membership
Members—$255; Nonmembers— and Finance, Nominating, National
change the bylaws?
$295; and Students—$75. Visit www Conference, Program (for all confer-
.placonference.org for registration ences/symposia), and Publications.
A. To be more nimble and respon-
and more information. PLA thanks Advisory groups (which liase with
sive to our members’ needs. The
WebJunction for its support of the similar ALA groups) on Advocacy,
PLA Board of Directors feels that
Virtual Conference. Intellectual Freedom, and Legislation
these changes will help us to do
that. It should also help us to be
more inclusive to participation.
Read All About It
Most members don’t care how the
On the Agenda
on the PLA Blog organization is structured as long
We hope you enjoyed our in-depth as the good programs and quality
coverage of the ALA Midwinter publications they’ve always enjoyed PLA 12th National
Meeting. Be sure to check out the continue. Conference
PLA Blog (www.plablog.org) during March 25–29
the upcoming PLA 2008 National Q. What will happen to the Minneapolis
Conference. We’re planning to deliv- committees?
er detailed coverage of programs, ALA Annual Conference
social events, exhibits, interviews, A. Don’t worry! Most committees June 26–July 2
and maybe even a few podcasts! A will be replaced by a Community Anaheim, Calif.
team of intrepid, enthusiastic PLA of Practice (CoP), which is a more
5 january/february 2008
news from pla
also will remain. Also, specialized requirements would be membership
project Task Forces will be created by in PLA; and, if there is no activity in
the Board as needed. All committees six months, the group will dissolve.
have expected outcomes; CoPs are Some low-interest committees may
not required to do so. naturally whither away due to lack of
interest, and we anticipate that new
Q. What if I need to join a commit- CoPs will be formed.
tee to attend a conference?
Q. Do I have to be in a CoP to
A. PLA will create a means to pro- submit a program proposal?
duce lists of participants in a CoP
—for justification back home. A. No. Currently programs for
Annual Coference must originate
Q. How are these CoPs structured? from a committee; under the new
plan, any member can submit a
A. The structure would be up to the proposal.
group, which wouldn’t require a
chair; volunteer leaders will help in More questions? Send an e-mail to
shaping discussions. There would be [email protected] or visit the PLA blog
no term limits in a CoP. Nor any lim- (www.plablog.org) to join in the
its to the number of CoPs. The only conversation.
PLA Names Preconference Luncheon Speaker
Meg Cabot, author of the popular Princess Diaries series, will keynote the Preconference Luncheon at PLA
2008, the 12th National Conference of the Public Library Association (PLA) on Tuesday, March 25, from noon
to 1:45 p.m. Tickets for the event can be purchased at www.placonference.org.
Cabot is the author of more than forty books for both adults and teens, many of which have been bestsell-
ers, most notably The Princess Diaries series, which is currently being published in more than thirty-seven
countries, has sold more than five million copies worldwide, and was made into two hit Disney movies. In
addition, Cabot wrote the Mediator and 1-800-Where-R-You series (on which the Lifetime television series
Missing was based), two All-American Girl books, Teen Idol, Avalon High, How to Be Popular, many historical
romance novels, a series of novels written entirely in e-mail format (Boy Next Door, Boy Meets Girl, and Every
Boy’s Got One), a mystery series (Size 12 Is Not Fat and Size 14 Is Not Fat Either), and a chick-lit series called
Queen of Babble.
public libraries 6
from the president
Bylaws
Changes Will
JAN SANDERS is Director Create a More
of the Pasadena (Calif.)
Public Library; jsanders@
cityofpasadena.net.
Inclusive PLA
Jan is reading The Virgin’s
Lover by Philippa Gregory
(for her book club) and
Good to Great by Jim Collins Greetings from snowy Philadelphia! I am writing this on the last day of
(a second time, for profes-
the ALA 2008 Midwinter Meeting—just barely in time for the publica-
sional development), along
tion date!
with his monograph, “Good
I hope your plans are made to join us in Minneapolis! It promises to be
to Great and the Social
another stellar conference that I know you won’t want to miss. Read your
Sectors.” She also just
preliminary program carefully (or check out the online program schedule at
finished re-reading the
www.placonference.org); there is much to take in.
classic East of Eden by
At Midwinter Meeting, the PLA Board continued working on the restruc-
John Steinbeck.
ture of the organization. You will remember that this year-long effort was put
in place in response to a number of voiced concerns from members:
● Many of our cluster committees had trouble finding participants as home
libraries cut back on travel funding.
● Many had no member able to step up and serve as chair.
● Some committees had outlived their interest or usefulness.
● Some committees were felt to be redundant, given other PLA liaisons in
place.
● Members said they wanted to “connect with the organization” more easily
and be able to participate virtually.
● Members sometimes felt that participation and leadership was limited
and not fully open to them.
● Members felt the method of being named to a committee was
unnecessarily drawn out and involved too much bureaucracy.
● Members wanted a quicker response and more nimble action from the
organization.
The Board heard these comments and began working with Paul Meyer of
Tecker Associates, a leadership development firm working exclusively with
organizations, especially nonprofits. We studied national trends, looked hard
and long at our current structure and methods, and came back with this
proposed revised organizational structure and plan. Since our current bylaws
were designed for the “cluster model,” a number of revisions will be needed.
These will be presented on the spring ballot.
7 january/february 2008
from the president
President-Elect Carol Sheffer has process, and other red tape. If for every vacant board spot,
clearly outlined major alterations on the existing committee is an keeping in mind the needs of
her document (available at www.pla organizational infrastructure the association. In addition,
.org), so I won’t repeat them here. Let piece (nominating, budget, PLA members may petition
me, instead, offer some highlights to programming, and so forth) for nomination by presenting
the discussion. that committee will continue a signed list of not fewer than
but may solicit participation twenty-five active members’
1. The existing Board will be electronically from the CoPs. endorsements. Thus, members
reduced from twenty-four 3. Program definition and creation have a direct path for leadership.
members to ten, as cluster will come from a broadened 7. While the final timeline is still in
representatives will be dropped. base as individuals, groups, process, committee members
(Current members will serve CoPs, or committees can all can be assured that their work
out their terms, of course.) This develop and propose sessions. should be continued and will
smaller board will meet at least This is how we currently provide not be lost. While they may be
four times each year, giving for our national conference, a called a CoP or a task force, the
members more opportunities proven success. conversation they are having
to bring their suggestions 4. The provision of special task needs to continue. The change
for consideration. Because forces will continue. For will be that the dialog can be
the Communities of Practice example, the Task Force on open to others interested or
conversation will be electronic, Leadership Development will experienced in the topic. It
the Board has the opportunity continue until their full task is likely that (if these bylaws
for a stronger view of member is complete. Other task forces changes are passed) current
needs and concern—and in a will be formed as needed or as committees will meet at the
more timely manner. requested by members. American Library Association
2. Existing committees have 5. The bylaws change does not (ALA) Annual Conference in
choices: they may disband for include any dues adjustment. Anaheim, California, to begin
lack of interest or participation, Careful financial management discussing how they wish
or they may morph into a allows PLA to respond to proceed. Space for PLA
Community of Practice (CoP). technologically, without members to meet, greet, and
This will allow any PLA member increased fees from membership work will be provided (as always)
to join any self-selected at this time. It is worth noting within the Annual Conference
conversation immediately and that while the Gates Grant (+$7 program.
without undue roadblocks. The million) is a great windfall for
leadership of a CoP will rise from PLA, it is project-driven. Support I hope this answers many of your
within itself as members’ own for this change, as for all internal questions. The guiding principles for
interests drive the discussion. PLA actions, comes from this change are providing opportu-
Any PLA member (staff, library membership fees and monies nity for strong member participation
commissioner, trustee, or generated by conferences or and preserving an organization that
Friend) can join a CoP and add publications—like always. responds to members’ need and
to the conversation, making 6. An important aspect of the requests, thus being nimble and
PLA a more participatory reorganization is the importance flexible.
organization and sidestepping of the nominating process. I look forward to meeting
demands for expensive travel, The nominating committee you soon in Minneapolis. Safe
the delays of an appointment will select at least two names journeys!
public libraries 8