Outreach Services for Teens: A Starter Guide

by Jess Snow, Anthony Bernier (Foreword)

The cliched and vague notions about outreach services for teens that so many librarians encounter in job descriptions and performance evaluations do not reflect the importance or day-to-day realities of this undertaking. In this primer for those new to the profession, Snow demonstrates how youth librarians can approach outreach systematically and mindfully to ensure success. Readers will learn how to apply a full complement of professional skills, creativity, analysis, and resourcefulness to the conception, delivery, and evaluation of teen outreach. With a special focus on effectively serving marginalized youth, in this book Snow defines in practical terms what constitutes outreach services for teens and advises on how to plan and advocate for providing those services; discusses steps for creating and maintaining partnerships, both within the library and externally; guides readers through identifying outreach goals and measuring outcomes; details numerous examples of well-executed outreach efforts that can serve as models; shares ways to incorporate technology; provides suggested core titles for teen outreach, book talks to hook teens, selection tools, and a sample book checkout sheet; and includes nuts-and-bolts tools such as an outreach plan for teen librarians, staff training resources, and information about national organizations serving teens. New youth librarians, middle managers and directors, and other library staff will all benefit from Snow's candid and straightforward exploration of what it takes to develop and deliver powerful outreach efforts.

Genres: Professional Development, Nonfiction

89 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2020

Reviews

[Ezra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, a very informative resource. Teen librarians considering outreach programs serving juvenile detention centers or group homes for troubled youth or teens in temporary foster care housing will find this book extremely helpful, as the focus of this book leans heavily on these populations. Unfortunately, there's less to find here regarding school-visit style outreach programs, which is what I'd been hoping to find, but reading this book prompts you to consider the possibilities for teen outreach beyond those you may already be familiar with. It also includes a robust appendix of helpful resources and worksheets.

In short, if you're currently working in Teen Services or hope to serve as a Teen Librarian one day, this is certainly worth the read.

[Eliza · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has lots of really good information if you are unfamiliar with doing any kind of outreach. I love the useable worksheets and templates in it.

[Katie Ballinger · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very bare bones and some sections were repetitive, but it did offer a lot of useful sources that I think I can come back to refer to later.