Erin Helmrich

This book for librarians is a helpful resource for creating library spaces, collections, and programs that appeal to tweens and teens, though the book itself often feels out of touch with youth culture. The book is comprised of two major sections: general guidance and specific suggested library programs. The general guidance begins with an overview of teen culture from 1950 to today, and these sections feel overly simplistic. The discussion of youth culture today, for instance, cites trends that are almost ten years old. An adult who relies on this book for an understanding of teen culture will seem humorously behind the times. However, the book does emphasize the need for librarians to communicate with teen patrons in order to stay relevant. This first section also contains discussions of library spaces, collections, and marketing that will be useful for public librarians. The second half of the book contains a wealth of specific program suggestions relating to popular teen interests. These programs are detailed and realistic, and they could be either inspirational or templates for real library programs. The writing throughout is sometimes condescending toward teenagers, but conversational and authoritative. The images included are examples of marketing, sample surveys, etc. While this book may not immediately seem to be a credible source about teens, it is a useful reference tool for librarians who need to increase teen library use. Recommended. Professional.… (más)

This book on library programming for tweens and teens aims to help librarians keep up with current trends and pop culture to be able to better attract teens to the library. The book starts off with a brief overview of the past sixty years of teen pop culture. It covers library advertising and promotion, the benefits of branding, keeping collections current, and making spaces suitable for teens and tweens. But mostly the book deals with programming ideas in a wide range of pop culture areas. It has sections on music, art, crafts, cooking and food, fashion, beauty, contests, celebrities and reality TV, gaming, and Japanese pop culture (anime, manga, etc.). It also covers magic and fantasy, technology, physical activities, and summer reading programs. Each chapter on programming includes a brief introduction and then one to six different programed events that libraries could do. Some of the ideas have been done successfully in the past at specific libraries and thus might work well at other libraries if the library has an audience for it. The authors are clearly enthusiastic and passionate about drawing teens and tweens into the library. While the book is very informative and full of great ideas, the specific program plans have a definite shelf-life and their relevance will certainly expire at some point in the future. Some of the events plan will likely stand the test of time and the program plans are still relevant today two years on, but the fact remains that pop culture changes constantly and what is in right now may not be in three months from now or three years from now. Nevertheless, the ideas and philosophy of remaining relevant and using pop culture to attract teens and tweens to the library is brilliant and this book will be useful for librarians for at least several years to come.… (más)

This programming book is divided into two main sections: best practices for developing teen and tween programming in the library as well as program guides and directions. In this book, the authors define and discuss pop culture from the 50’s to the present, offer ideas of how to stay up to date on pop culture and connected to your target audience, how to market to parents and children, and the foundations for successful programming. Programming themes presented in this book vary from art programs, makerspaces, magic, physical activities, music, etc. Each thematic chapter includes several programming ideas and directions. Though the content quickly became outdated, which the authors freely warn will happen, this book contains useful advice for connecting with teen and tween audiences. Additionally, the programming chapters provide a good structure that could be used and filled with more relevant content. Overall, this book provides a good introduction to the best practices and programming ideas for developing effective pop-culture programs for teens and tweens. Parents, teachers, and librarians would likely benefit from reading and referencing this book. This book is recommended for purchase in a public or school library. (Professional Development)… (más)

Create, Relate, and Pop @ the Library, written by two teen services librarians, shows and describes 47 different activities that can be carried out at libraries. All are focused around the central idea of producing a finished project that relates to the pop culture areas teens and tweens are drawn to. The book features a few chapters about the history of pop culture and the draw it has for teens and tweens. There's also explanations about terminology used by young people that may be foreign to those a bit older as well as a very convincing argument about why libraries should have dedicated teen spaces. The authors of this book are well versed in their field and have created activities that are genuinely enjoyable. A great addition for libraries that currently engage in teen/tween programming, as well as those looking to expand those services.… (más)