Teen Growth | Interactions with Teens | Learning Environments | Learning Experiences | Youth Engagement | Community Engagement | Cultural Competency | Equity of Access | Assessment | Continuous Learning | Additional Resources
The resources on this page are organized by YALSA's Teen Services Competencies for Library Staff. YALSA's Handouts page and wiki may have additional resources of interest.
I. Teen Growth & Development
- Ages 15-18: A Developmental Overview
- Brain Development and Adolescent Growth Spurts
- Developmental Characteristics of Young Adolescents
- Diversity map (find out the ethnic/racial breakdown of the youth in your county)
- Foundations for Young Adult Success: A Developmental Framework
- Kids Count
- Maximize the Power of the Middle School Brain
- The Mysterious Workings of the Adolescent Brain (video)
II. Interactions with Teens
- Creative Ways to Seek Youth Input
- Fostering Civil Discourse: A Guide for Classroom Conversations
- How Cross-Cultural Dialog Builds Critical Thinking and Empathy
- The Importance of a Whole Library Approach to Teen Services
- Let's Talk: Discussing Race, Racism and other Difficult Topics with Students (pdf)
- Relationships Matter: Strengthening Vulnerable Youth (.pdf)
- Ten Tips: Building Relationships with Youth
- Working with Vulnerable Youth (.pdf)
III. Learning Environments
- GLSEN Safe Space Kit
- ImaginOn’s Teen Space (video)
- Learning Labs in Libraries and Museums: Transformative Spaces for Teens
- Learning Space Toolkit
- Teen Space Guidelines
IV. Learning Experiences
- Adolescent Literacies
- Adopting a Summer Learning Approach for Increased Impact: a YALSA Position Paper
- Case Studies: Real-World Examples of How Libraries Are Re-Envisioning Teen Services
- Connected Learning (video)
- DigitalLearn.org
- Framework for High Quality Project Based Learning
- Libraries Ready to Code
- Literacies (video) - including digital, medial and multiple literacies
- Maker & DIY Programs
- Making + Learning in Museums & Libraries: A Practitioner's Guide
- Making in the Library Toolkit
- Practical Programming: The Best of YA-YAAC (book)
- STEAM Toolkit
- Teens First: Basic Learning Outcomes Guide
- Teen Literacies Toolkit
- Teen Programming Guidelines
- Teen Programming HQ
- Teen Programs How-To Kit
- Young Adult Library Services' Spring 2016 Issue, featuring a theme on libraries and learning
V. Youth Engagement & Leadership
- Civic learning resources
- Civic action project
- Service Learning Projects and Resources
- Summer Teen Intern Toolkit (.pdf)
- Teen Reading Interest Survey (.docx)
- Teen Services & Programs Interest Survey (.docx)
- Teens First: Re-Imagined Library Services for and with Teens
- Youth Activism Project
- Youth Activism through Community Engagement
- Youth Activists Toolkit (.pdf)
- YPAR Hub
VI. Community & Family Engagement
- buildthefield.org -- free resources to support community engagement
- Building Partnerships: Key Considerations when Engaging Underserved Communities (.pdf)Collaborating with Community Organizations
- Community Asset Map -- sample & worksheet (.PPTX)
- Library Asset Map sample & worksheet (.pptx)
- Library Edge
- Map My Community tool (from youth.gov)
- Partnering to Increase your Impact
- Partnerships posts on the YALSAblog
- Young Adult Library Services' Winter 2016 issue, featuring the community engagement theme
VII. Cultural Competency & Responsiveness
- Cultural Competence resources
- The Art of Restorative Questions
- Let's Talk: Discussing Race, Racism and other Difficult Topics with Students (pdf)
- Serving Diverse Teens
- Teaching Restorative Practices with Classroom Circles
- Young Adult Library Services' Winter 2017 Issue, which features a cultural competency theme
VIII. Equity of Access
- ASCLA Resources for Serving Disabled Patrons
- Equity of Access (from ASCLA)
- Equity Resources
- Fencing Out Knowledge: Impact of the Children's Internet Protection Act 10 Years Later (.pdf)
- How to Look at Policies
- How to Change Policies
- How to Ensure the Most Vulnerable Youth Participate in Your Program
- Library Privacy Guidelines for K - 12 Schools (from ALA)
- Privacy Toolkit (includes information to help you create a library privacy policy)
- Social Justice Standards (from tolerance.org)
- Teens, Social Media & Technology 2018 (report from Pew)
IX. Outcomes & Assessment
- Determining and Measuring Outcomes
- Evaluating Teen Services & Programs (book)
- Project Outcome (from PLA)
- Readiness Abilities Map
- remakelearning.org
- Teens First: Basic Learning Outcomes Guide
- Tools to Document Connected Learning
X. Continuous Learning
- Core Professional Values for Teen Services
- Level Up Your Leadership Skills (blog post)
- Personal Learning Networks (video)
- YALSA Academy (free videos on practical teen services issues)
- YALSA's Online Learning
Additional Resources
Overarching Resources
- Guidelines & Standards
- Putting Teens First in Library Services (book)
- Risky Business: Taking & Managing Risks in Teen Services (book)
Recruitment
Why YA? Recruiting New Librarians to the Profession
Library Schools and YA Services
Sample YA Librarian's Job Posting
Job Shadowing Toolkit (.doc)
ALA Council Resolutions
ALA Resolution: School Libraries and Librarians are Critical to Educational Success (PDF)
ALA Resolution on Ensuring Summer Reading Programs for all Children and Teens (PDF)
Reports
The Future of Library Services for and with Teens: A Call to Action
Transforming Library Services Through Continuing Education
Toolkits and Bibliographies
Legislative Advocacy Guide (PDF)
Social Networking Toolkit (PDF; updated 2011)
Social Networking: A Guide for Teens (PDF; updated 2011)
Teen Reading Guide for Parents and Caregivers (PDF)
Teens' Top Ten Toolkit (PDF)
Web Sites
Center for the Future of Libraries