Saleena Davidson
South Brunswick Public Library
Monmouth Jct, NJ

Saleena Davidson
South Brunswick Public Library
Monmouth Jct, NJ

I am proud to work within a system that provides fabulous YA/diversity training opportunities to all its employees (Librarians and support staff). I am dismayed, however, to see dismal attendance at these YA/diversity trainings by staff members working in areas other than YA services. Whether this is the result of poor support by branch managers (denying staff the time to attend) or lack of interest, I can’t say. But I have observed in my branch a true disinterest by staff members to attend. They simply do not see the benefits of YA services nor do they care. And nothing I’ve said has changed their attitudes toward teens even if they grudgingly admit YA services are important.

I am proud to work within a system that provides fabulous YA/diversity training opportunities to all its employees (Librarians and support staff). I am dismayed, however, to see dismal attendance at these YA/diversity trainings by staff members working in areas other than YA services. Whether this is the result of poor support by branch managers (denying staff the time to attend) or lack of interest, I can’t say. But I have observed in my branch a true disinterest by staff members to attend. They simply do not see the benefits of YA services nor do they care. And nothing I’ve said has changed their attitudes toward teens even if they grudgingly admit YA services are important.

The first is that I believe that frequently teens are sent by other librarians to the YA librarian because others don’t know what to do about “rowdy teens” as Mary K. Chelton wrote. Their strategy is to avoid encounters rather than to learn how to turn a negative encounter around with a positive approach.

Part of the YA person’s responsibility is to educate others about teens, others similarly have the responsibility to learn about teens and how to deal with them in a reasonable, fair, and open way.

Secondly, I notice that you said “Remember, I don’t send every old person your way.” My research has indicated that the two top “problem patron” groups are teens and the elderly. These groups have remarkable similarities such as: usually not having jobs or much money, being dependent on others (parents or adult children), having more leisure time, having a different orientation to time, and being less inhibited in speech and action. I could go on…

I agree with Ty that with all types of challenging library users we need to take more of a team approach rather than dividing groups up by department. This team approach allows librarians and staff to work cohesively to diffuse problems and to provide excellent service to all. Of course, a highly functional team doesn’t happen by accident but must be cultivated and supported by the library administration and by the entire staff.

The first is that I believe that frequently teens are sent by other librarians to the YA librarian because others don’t know what to do about “rowdy teens” as Mary K. Chelton wrote. Their strategy is to avoid encounters rather than to learn how to turn a negative encounter around with a positive approach.

Part of the YA person’s responsibility is to educate others about teens, others similarly have the responsibility to learn about teens and how to deal with them in a reasonable, fair, and open way.

Secondly, I notice that you said “Remember, I don’t send every old person your way.” My research has indicated that the two top “problem patron” groups are teens and the elderly. These groups have remarkable similarities such as: usually not having jobs or much money, being dependent on others (parents or adult children), having more leisure time, having a different orientation to time, and being less inhibited in speech and action. I could go on…

I agree with Ty that with all types of challenging library users we need to take more of a team approach rather than dividing groups up by department. This team approach allows librarians and staff to work cohesively to diffuse problems and to provide excellent service to all. Of course, a highly functional team doesn’t happen by accident but must be cultivated and supported by the library administration and by the entire staff.

Thanks!
Amy

Thanks!
Amy

I am always asking myself why am I a librarian and what is the purpose of a library. I find that my answers to these questions are always evolving.

When my colleagues associate their roles as librarians with “resources” I wonder how far we have evolved from the monk copying manuscripts?

For myself, I believe that as a librarian my chief purpose is to be an advocate for the benefits of learning and knowledge. In all that I do as a librarian I am bearing witness to the importance of being able to learn and grow, wether it be playing a game or reading a book.

Seth Stephens
Jefferson Township Public Library
Oak Ridge, N.J

I am always asking myself why am I a librarian and what is the purpose of a library. I find that my answers to these questions are always evolving.

When my colleagues associate their roles as librarians with “resources” I wonder how far we have evolved from the monk copying manuscripts?

For myself, I believe that as a librarian my chief purpose is to be an advocate for the benefits of learning and knowledge. In all that I do as a librarian I am bearing witness to the importance of being able to learn and grow, wether it be playing a game or reading a book.

Seth Stephens
Jefferson Township Public Library
Oak Ridge, N.J