by Max Marbut
Staff Writer
The concept “build it and they will come” worked for Kevin Costner in the film “Field of Dreams” and it’s working for the Teen Services department of the Jacksonville Public Library (JPL).
Every branch library in the system has an area devoted to readers ages 12-18, but the largest and best-equipped is at the Main Library Downtown. With thousands of books in addition to books on CD, computer work stations, meeting rooms and study areas, it is attracting thousands of teens and they’re doing a lot more than reading.
“It’s a very non-traditional space for a library,” said Keli Likins, senior librarian.
Likins has been responsible for developing and managing programming for teens at JPL for more than three years and has seen participation increase steadily. In fiscal year 2006-07, 39,259 teens used the JPL’s services created exclusively for them, an increase of 147 percent over the previous year. Teens also account for 7 percent of JPL’s print circulation, checking out 355,633 books in the same year.
Likins said the department has gone over so well with young library customers because, “We give them the things they like and want from a library. We’re back here adjacent to the audio/visual section and we’re somewhat isolated from the rest of the library.”
Having an area and a selection of reading material chosen just for teens is a relatively new concept in library science. It started in the early 1990s because up until then, libraries viewed their customers as either adults or children.
“That meant the teens were getting lost,” said Likins.
The trend began when libraries started purchasing books written for the age group and has now evolved into a “library within a library” format.
“Teens like to have their own space,” said Likins. “During the day, we see a lot of home-schooled students and as soon as the public schools let out, the department really fills up.
“We have computer work stations and big-screen TVs and we play music back here a lot of the time. We also have a study area and a lounge area where you can read or talk. Even though teens are the most tech-savvy group, they still want to congregate and interact with each other.”
The department has become a popular place to do homework because access to the library’s collection of databases is available for research. On-line real-time tutoring is also offered for grades 4 through high school in mathematics, English, science and social studies.
“The live homework help is used a lot and it’s free because it’s at the library,” said Likins.
The young library-goers have found it easy to embrace what the department offers because they provide the inspiration for the programming. Each summer, teen advisory boards meet and provide JPL with ideas for new events and activities, like the JPL’s annual Poetry Jam that last year attracted more than 80 participants.
“We recently started a ‘Go’ club,” said Likins. “It’s a Chinese board game similar to chess. It’s mentioned in some of the Anime books that are popular with teens, so they wanted to learn how to play it.”
One of the most popular programs that came out of the advisory board process begins again Saturday at the Highlands branch library.
“Dance Dance Revolution” is a competition based around a popular PlayStation 2 video game that requires dancing to score points. Thirteen neighborhood branches will hold preliminary rounds with the neighborhood winner competing in the final round March 8 at the Main Library. Last year, 185 teens signed up to compete.
“The only requirements to enter is to have a library card and check out a book or book on CD. It attracts new customers, it’s great exercise and this year’s grand prize is an iPod,” said Likins.
The Teen Services department also recently started a MySpace page that is monitored daily by staff and will offer a class on Internet safety for social network sites Feb. 19. Likins said librarians are always available to teens – and their parents – who want to learn about how to safely surf the Web.
“The computer is the foundation of Teen Services,” she said. “We have found the Internet is our most effective means of communicating with teens. They aren’t out picking up flyers because they’re in front of their computers.”
Having a department designed for an active and growing age group like teens is part of JPL’s strategy to make the library a “place to go” for everyone in the community.
“When you go to a Public Library you can read, you can volunteer and you can develop leadership skills,” said Marketing Communications Manager Stacie Bucher. “We’re open to anything as long as it’s a constructive activity that will make young people want to come to the library.”
For information on JPL’s programs for teens, visit www.jpl.coj.net.