From School Library Journal
Alessio and Patton have compiled an imaginative guide to 59 programs, organized by month. An introduction covers the importance of engaging teens, staff members, and community organizations in the planning and execution of library events. Who could resist a pizza-tasting party, a Mardi Gras outside of Louisiana, a Little Coffee Shop of Horrors, a Who's Sorry Now? Bored Game Tournament, or a mystery dinner to figure out who murdered a librarian in the stacks? Each program is described in detail, with suggestions for adaptations for easy, moderately demanding, or elaborate presentations, depending on the time and resources available. Descriptions of programs include preparation time, length, number of teens served, suggested age range, a shopping list, set-up, and implementation. Resources and display ideas are incorporated into each chapter, with sample forms and scripts offered in the appendix. Passive program ideas like Ten Ways to Avoid Studying for Finals, Love Stinks Song Lyrics, March Music Mania, and College Mascot Mania provide librarians with ways other than full programs to engage YAs in the library. An exciting and invigorating offering for all public and school librarians.–Rebecca Sheridan, Easttown Library & Information Center, Berwyn, PA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Following an overview of the planning component of successful teen programming, this guide is presented as a calendar of ideas for each month of the year. Each month offers three to four programs with the preparation time, the length of the program, the recommended number of teen participants, age range, a shopping list, the setup required, variations or extra activities, and resources. An appendix consists of specific forms, contracts, handouts, examples of flyers to be used, and other resource materials. This guide^B is aimed more toward public libraries, but many of the activities can be adapted for a middle- or high-school library program. Librarians working with teens will find plenty of fresh ideas here. Carol Sue Harless
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved
About the Author
Amy J. Alessio is the Teen Coordinator at Schaumburg Township District Library in Illinois where she creates and runs teen programs and coordinates the teen advisory board. Her writing credits include articles in SCWBI Bulletin, VOYA, and American Libraries. She also is the author of YALSA s Teen Read Week Manual. Amy serves as a trainer in YALSA s Serving the Underserved program and has presented on teen and young adult service topics at state and national conferences. She received her MLS from Rosary College in River Forest, IL in May, 1996.
Kimberly A. Patton is a Young Adult Specialist at Lawrence Public Library in Kansas, where she runs teen programming as well as the Young Adult Advisory Board. Kim serves as a YALSA Serving the Underserved trainer and is an active speaker at conferences and libraries across Kansas. She has chaired several committees on summer reading manuals for young adults. Kim is a level III graduate of KPLACE (Kansas Progressive Librarians Acquiring Continuing Education) at Emporia State University.
