Sunday, October 12, 2008

Public Libraries

While visiting my small local library I was shocked to see its new appearance. Bright posters of youth oriented subjects were in abundance. There was a large variety of teen magazines in stock. Never before had I seen the library acknowledge the presence of its young patrons so strongly. My childhood experience of the library had always been an adult library featuring a shelf of young adult books (with children's books hidden in a corner). It was a good feeling seeing this group represented in a nice display of materials. Apparently others had the same feeling because the library was swarming with teens and young children. This too was a change and a nice one however, something was missing. Other groups within the community were absent. Interestingly enough another library I frequently attend had a change similar in look to my neighborhood library. After doing some research I found what may indeed be the reason for this change. Public libraries are focusing on youths in order to justify their significance.
This belief in planning themes specifically for the creation of loyal youths can be seen in current literature on public libraries. Miller(2008), an experienced librarian, even says, "One of the most challenging and important customer groups of public libraries is teens" (ix). Libraries, like the Detroit Public Libraries in particular, are showing their support in such beliefs by implementing programs and services specifically for youths. These programs are well advertised in the hopes of exciting youths into attending libraries. One nice example is seen in H.Y.P.E. (Helping Young People Excel) a program offered at Main Library. The nice color photographed pamphlets and website boast the library's possession of new technologies, gaming systems, movies, and books all in an enclosed room for youths only (2008).
While it is nice that public libraries are offering such provisions to the community one is left wondering whether their approach is appropriate. Other members of society are left with standard services. This does not seem to fit the intention of public libraries. According to McCook and Myers (2002), regarding the function of public libraries, ". . . their programs and priorities usually are based on the general needs of the public as a whole" (17). Yet there is no eagerness in trying to lure older members of the community into libraries with great programs and advertising. This can be seen on the Main Library's web page. It is dull in comparison to the one aimed at youths.
Does this method of focusing on youths fit your definition of a public library? Do you think this is a good direction for public libraries? Is there a better way for librarians to draw teens without appearing to ostracize other groups in the community?
References
McCook, Kathleen De La Pena & Myers, Margaret. (2002). Opportunities in Library and
Information Science Careers. Chicago. VGM Career Books.
Miller, Donna P. (2008). Crash Course in Teen Services. Westport: Libraries Unlimited.

14 comments:

Liz Drewek said...

Very nice post. It raised some interesting questions and made me think about what I see in my library.

I live in Royal Oak and a couple of years ago the entire public library was remodeled. I was amazed when it reopened to see that it seemed like it would now better serve the public. One of the moves I liked best was to move all of the children's materials downstairs. It cut down on the noise older users hear when they are searching the shelves and it gave the children a space all their own.

Unlike, the library you visit, ROPL only seems to advertise the programs aimed at older users. Things such as movie nights, art, and books they might find interesting related to a specific topic (they had a display for Banned Book Week). I don't even know of any programs they offer to teens and only of the story hours offered for younger children.

I think that it is imperative for public libraries to find a balance. They need to provide programs and learning opportunities for everyone in the communities they serve, not just one segment. From what you wrote it seems like your library is abandoning their older patrons (who vote on millages and pay taxes) and essentially telling them they are not important enough to serve.

Nate Palmer said...

I have seen the change in my own library. The youth department is developing more and more electric game times for teen/tweens. It has been a sore spot for some. Some patrons and staff have feared that the library has become a day care for after school teens and that by providing a gaming time, it only encourages the parents to leave their children at the library unsupervised for several hours. To offset this belief, the library has offered the gaming time at other times besides after school. The library has even offered electrifying games for adults. The attendance is usually low, but we have tried to market this for some adults.

Not all libraries have programming budgets that allow them to have programs for all ages. At the library I work at we are fortunate enough to offer programs for all ages. It is important to know your community and its needs. If gaming appeals to the youth, and we offer cooking and taste testing programs for adults what the difference. The library is sponsoring both programs. Their need to be a balance and it is not always easy to find. Libraries are changing to accommodate the needs of the time and the communities in which they serve.

Anonymous said...

Change is good for a library in most cases, and it's interesting to see a library become more teen-focused. There are two wings at my local library, with one section of adult fiction and another for young kids. This raises the question "where can the teens go?". It's important not to isolate that age group.

On the other hand, there are libraries like the East Lansing Public Library that has an entire section devoted to teens, with graphic novels and anime. They also have many after school students that go there though, and I always see a strong teen presence in that library.

Amy D said...

I definitely see a strong young adult presence at my public library also. Movies, games, contests...just about everything seems to be marketed that way. While I think its a good thing to get kids excited about the library, I think it should be balanced out with an interesting adult program of adult events too.

Kemps said...

Whenever there is an attempt to boost one aspect of any organization, or make any sort of improvement, there can be a hundred voices in the name of what is not being done. When I am working on my LIS homework, I can choose to focus on my daughter who's disappointed because I'm not reading to her, or my dinner that's not cooking. However, I choose to celebrate the fact that I have gathered my motivation and resources and I am getting something done.

Therefore I also celebrate the libraries that are trying very hard to do the hardest thing: be cool enough to attract the coolest of the cool. And for a very noble idea, which large corporations have figured out a long time ago: the sooner you get them, the better.

Hopefully, the improvements in one area will not cause the others to decline. Possibly they will follow with improvements, especially, if the pilot program seems to work, and especially if there is client feedback on the anticipation for something crazy good to happen in the other sections of the library as well.

What makes me wonder about these changes in the library (I frequent the Main Branch and the Skillman Branch), is just where the line should be drawn about the variety of media showcased. I am very old fashioned and cannot stand videogames. I realize that's a personal opinion. I also realize that gaming is an important aspect of teen life (mostly), and that the library is accommodating this need.
The Main Library has a seperate Teen Center, but the Skillman Branch shares the space with the Children's Library, and the noise of videogames or TV is often loud enough to make me want to turn right around and leave with my kids. Sometimes we do.

Also Im not sure what kind of information service category we can put the provision of videogames into.

Anonymous said...

In response to the comments about libraries becoming day care centers because of video games, that is something we have to be aware of. The public library in the community where I went to undergrad had some problems with the teens using the library after school (it wasn't even because of video games, more because of noise and disruptive activities). The community still recognized they had to give teens a place to go so they created the Teen Center which is a combination library (spaces to read and do homework but it also has video games and movies)and hang out spot. It works well for the community where it is now, but I wonder, if we did that around here, would people be complaining that we took teen patrons outside of the "library proper"?

Casey Bolton said...

I think a lot more focus is being spent on cultivating younger attendance to the library. My local public library runs a summer reading program for both young children and young adults. Some of the prizes for the young adults are really impressive! I wished I could have participated this past summer, they were giving away a gas card as one of the prizes! :)

However, I think it's important to concentrate on all of the age groups attending the library. My local library spends a lot of time addressing the needs and creating programming for young adults and kids, but I don't see very much in the way of Adult programming or even programming specifically targeted toward seniors. It's definitely a weak point that I wish could be different in my library attending experience.

LaurieC said...

I do not think it is wise for a public library to focus solely on the teen population. Sure,it is important for public library to get the youngest and teen patrons in the doors, after all, they are the future of libraries. But, public libraries exist to be the great equalizer, providing resources and services to everyone and of all ages. Baseline services should be provided to all- books, databases, reference services, computer access. Then as budgeting and grants allow, libraries should provide programming and/or in the case of teens, those programs that especially reach out to them, to all ages. This is one of the tough aspects of the job, making decisions and seizing opportunities that will forward the goal of bringing resources & special programming to everyone.

Stephanie Y said...

I think to have a successful library, you need to focus on the needs of the whole community, not just the part that may get you the most recognition and grant funding. Maybe it's just because I'm cynical, and, though I'm not even over 25, have always been prone to thinking like a crabby old lady, but taking the learning (e.g books...in a library? are you kiddding?) out of the library and inserting video games and youth activities in thier place doesn't seem justified. I agree that the youth are an important part, and that libraries should provide a place for the youth to gather, but not at the expense of other age groups in the community. Even if the library is small, and doesn't have room to separate age groups, offer something for everyone, especially for those, like the elderly, who may not have the money or means for recreational activities.

Carin Monticello said...

I often go back and forth between whether or not having a game night is a positive addition to any public library. I think it is important for the library to keep the community involved however I wonder if this is the best method. Libraries have always had the reputation of being focused on education and it is important to keep this focus as games are introduced. Games like guitar hero and rock band may spark interests in picking up a real musical instrument. I know Wii also has games that are trivia based and some of these do have an educational value to them. It might be best to stay away from games that are strictly for entertainment purposes and do not have any educational focus to them.

Jeehan said...

I definitely think that focusing on teens is something that fits into my idea of a public library. Other people will regularly visit the library regardless.There is an obvious lack of teen visitors particularly in cetain Public libraries so attempting to try new things in order to attract teens should not be a problem. Many of what librarins do try has obviously been researched, or is a pilot study being conducted. Whether it will work or not depends on the needs of the community and the teens that live there. What may work for one library may not for another even if is within the same city. In her book Digital Inclusion, Teens, and Your Library Exploring the issues and Acting on Them Lesley S.J. Farmer (2005) talks about the digital divide that exists and mentions that if libraries offer specific services which will aide economically disadvantaged teens then that will definitly help in bridging the gap that exists. She also mentions that once there are teen programs that are implemented one should anitcipate that problems will arise. She offers many suggestions which would assist librarians in solving these problems. Through the implementation of a youth advisory group one can forsee the many problems that may and will arise and a really detailed plan for the teen program to be implented would definitely be useful and most likely make the teen program whatever it may be, a success.

JimV said...

Does this method of focusing on youths fit your definition of a public library? Do you think this is a good direction for public libraries?

On these question, I'm about where Liz Drewek was when she responded that "it is imperative for public libraries to find a balance". I took a look at my public library's mission statement, and was pleased to see that is begins with a clear statment of balance:

"The Mission of the Grosse Pointe Public Library is to serve people of all ages..."

In the past, our public library system had absolutely horrible facilities for young patrons (our local branch had the youth materials tucked away in a cramped old classroom of the middle school). Fortunately, recent renovations to the facilities have improved the situation, and now each branch library has a separate wing or area with increased space, furniture etc dedicated to young users. The library website has a roughly equal amount of information for adult and youth services. So I think the balance is about right...

Tracy Carlton said...

The direction of public libraries is changing in many ways. With competition from mega bookstores and coffee shops and in home internet access, the library is altering its image to bring in new patrons. Is this a good thing? In some ways.
Focusing on a underserved population - teenagers - is smart for several reasons. Teenagers are the adults of the future. By catering to them now, libraries are establishing library customers and millage voters for the future. Libraries are in many areas a positive experience and inexpensive place to hang out. I see it, especially in urban areas, as a safer zone than the streets. The library is where teens can do homework, work on a computer (that might not be available at home), and socialize with others who are in a library. There are tradeoffs to this. More noise, a higher concentration of younger people which tends to upset older patrons who are not use to this concept of more interactive libraries.
Technology has changed how libraries operate in some senses. The sense of complete quiet, hushed voices, and people slipping in and out for library materials is gone. Now there are computers, cell phones, audio materials, dvds - not just books and the library has become more than just a reading place but an area of active interaction with programs, author talks, and gaming. I think going back to just books would be a step backwards...who would be the patrons of the future with the interactive, technology savvy children in today's world.

Alicia Dyer said...

I believe this is about meeting the needs of the community. In preparing this response, I viewed the Ann Arbor Public Library website, and found plenty of information for adults on the main page, but not much for families with younger children. See http://www.aadl.org/ I was able to find more after searching, but I believe that this webpage shows how one public library is diagnosing the needs of the community and trying to keep up with those expectations.

If the people that are coming for services are families with young children, teens, young adults, adults, or seniors, there are going to be times that each of those group types will frequent the library. One way to combat this is to offer surveys in a variety of formats. See when the different age groups are interested in coming to the library, what programs they might like, and what times they are interested in coming. Programming should be able to be scheduled around the community's needs. If you meet the needs of all members of the community, perhaps there will be a lesser degree of what appears to be age-favortism. [I might also suggest having programs at different times or days of the week so that the same people are not always put off by services. For that, too, it would be important to communicate the library's schedule and make it known when those kinds of activities may take place.]