Teen Library Service in the News

Last month, the News Times in Danbury ran an article about the release of a research report about services for teens in public libraries.  Several local libraries were mentioned, but not Ridgefield.  In response, our Library Director Chris Nolan sent a letter to the editor outlining what will be in store for Ridgefield teens in the New Ridgefield Library.  Her comments were finally published in the paper and online this week.

Link to Chris's letter:   http://www.newstimes.com/default/article/Ridgefield-Library-to-offer-dedicated-Teen-Room-5222313.php

Link to the original article:   http://www.newstimes.com/default/article/Libraries-urged-to-increase-teen-services-5136804.php

YA Will Be Teens in the New Library

“Divergent” by Veronica Roth, “Twilight” by Stephenie Meyer and “The Hunger Games” by Suzanne Collins used to be in our YA (Young Adult) fiction collection. Now, to find one of those titles, you need to go to our Teen fiction collection. 

The Future Business Leaders of America from Ridgefield High School spent several hours in the Ridgefield Library on October 24, helping us re-label the entire YA Fiction collection. These cheerful teenagers spent their volunteer time sticking new labels that read “Teen” over old labels that read “YA”, then taping the labels down.  They handled several thousand books and helped us quickly make the transition to the collection’s new designation. 

Why did we make this change? Well, we have a staff position called Teen Services Librarian, who works with our Teen Advisory Group. The Teen Services Librarian serves people in middle school and high school; they are ages 12-18; they are teens, not young adults. “YA” is a jargon-y term that book publishers’ marketing departments use. It seems right to eliminate it from the Library, and to use a word that is clearer, more accurate, and reflects what our patrons call themselves: teens.

When the New Ridgefield Library opens in the spring, there will be a new Teen Room for these patrons - the first dedicated space for this age group we have ever offered, where they will be able to study together, chat about books, play games and more.

TAG Previews New Teen Room

Members of the Library's Teen Advisory Group (TAG) had the opportunity last week to get a "hard hat tour" of the new library construction project.  Here they are posing in the shell of what will be the new Teen Room.  The Library has never before had a dedicated space for teens, and this group is very excited about the possibilities!