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January 15, 2010

Libraries turn their attention to young-adult programs

By BOB JORDAN • Staff Writer • January 14, 2010
app.com

MONMOUTH — A newly added series of teen-themed programs is giving the Monmouth County Library System a chance to reconnect with young readers, organizers say.

At the Marlboro Library branch, "Mardi Gras Mask Madness" recently was offerred for middle school and high school students. Caitlyn Wong, a seventh-grader at Marlboro Middle School, attended with a friend; both sculpted, painted and embellished their masks with materials provided at the workshop.
The wide variety of teen events kicked off with a Mischief Night party held at the Library Headquarters in Manalapan on Oct. 30. Organizers said more than 200 young adults ages 12 to 17 attended.

"Our goal is to have teens come to know they will experience interesting, useful things when they come to the library," said Stephenie Acosta, one of two librarians in charge of the teen/young-adult programming. "We recognized that teens have been an underserved group. Every other library is trying to cultivate this demographic."

Patrick Jones, a frequent speaker at library conferences and owner of a Minnesota-based library consulting firm, said building teen programs is a way libraries can stabilize future circulation levels and "build developmental assets."
"Programs such as those offered at the Monmouth County Library give teens an opportunity for creative expression, build relationships with peers and adults, define themselves as library users and have meaningful participation," Jones said.
"The trend seems to be more libraries engaged in more activities that allow for this meaningful participation, (and) moving away from "big events' to smaller groups where teens can learn, interact and feel their voice matters."

The Monmouth County Library has had an active volunteer program for teenagers and occasional workshops, such as the popular SAT Math test tips program.
Acosta, who shares coordination duties with fellow librarian Veronica Stevens, said this is the first time a series of teen-themed programs has been offerred.

"I think kids are over-scheduled with soccer programs, dance classes, and we are competing to an extent with all that," Acosta said. "With computers and social networking, teens are reading, but they just are not reading books. Good programs can get them to the library. Then we can introduce them to all the library has to offer and eventually expose them to books and literature."

The library system also has a Teen Advisory Board that holds monthly meetings. Students serving as board members earn community service hours as they share ideas for teen programs.

"I personally would live at the library if I could, but I see some of my friends not using the library as much," said board member Rosie Wood-Yesline, a Neptune resident who is a junior at St. John Vianney High School.
Wood-Yesline and Manalapan High School students Doug Rock, a senior, and Zach Lasky, a junior, said many teens suddenly discover and depend on libraries when it's time to prepare for college-assessment tests and write research papers.
"People come into the library when they're trying to write junior-year papers, trying to find books that are related to what they're writing about," Rock said. "It's easier if you're more familiar with the library before you reach that point."

Upcoming programs include the Puzzle Project artistic collaboration, which will take place at various branch libraries, including 1 p.m. Jan. 30 at the Wall Library; and the Young Adult Basic Guitar Workshop on four consecutive Saturdays, beginning Feb. 6, at the Allentown Library.
For more information about the library system, visit www.monmouthcountylib.org or call the Library Headquarters at 732-431-7220.

Posted by tumulty at January 15, 2010 7:51 PM

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