Young Adults and Public Libraries: A Handbook of Materials and Services

By C. Allen Nichols

This handbook is suitable for specialists and generalists in small, medium, and large public libraries, and addresses the full spectrum of library services to teens. Young adults comprise 25% of library patrons, yet nationwide only 11% of libraries have a young adult librarian. By offering services specifically for young adults, libraries will fulfill their responsibility to provide services to the entire community, rather than ignoring this fast growing segment of the population. The book focuses on topics related to young adult collections, including reader's advisory, genre fiction, non-fiction, magazines, non-print materials, trends, publishing, censorship, and restricted access to materials and services based on age. Teens' use of technology, especially the Internet, is covered as well.

Addressing the full spectrum of library services aimed at teens, this handbook is intended for use by novices as well as experts. It is suitable for specialists and generalists in small, medium, and large public libraries, and addresses the full spectrum of library services to teens. Young adults comprise 25% of library patrons, yet nationwide only 11% of libraries have a young adult librarian. By offering services specifically for young adults, libraries will fulfill their responsibility to provide services to the entire community, rather than ignoring this fast growing segment of the population.

The book focuses on topics related to young adult collections, including reader's advisory, genre fiction, non-fiction, magazines, non-print materials, trends, publishing, censorship, and restricted access to materials and services based on age. Teens' use of technology, especially the Internet, is covered as well. Other aspects include homework assistance centers, youth participation, serving underserved populations, and cooperation with other agencies. The book concludes with a comprehensive annotated bibliography of professional resources to aid readers.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0313300038
• ISBN13: 9780313300035
• Release Date: June 1998
• Publisher: Libraries Unlimited
• Length: 296 Pages
• Weight: 1.39 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.4" x 9.5"

Customer Reviews

Excellent Resource

Young Adults and Public Libraries is an excellent resource for any library starting a young adult program, or a library needing to breathe new life into their existing program. This book gives guidelines for bridging the gap of "popular YA fiction" and "quality literature" so that you can have a collection that is high quality and popular. The book also gives many programming ideas. It explains how you can adapt some of your existing programs for children into programs with high teen appeal,as well as creating new programs. Once you have planned your new program, the book has marketing tips to improve teen turn out. Many additional sources of ideas and advice are liberally scattered throughout the book.There are also chapters on serving the underserved, issues of intellectual freedom and teens, and training the young adult staff. This book will be a welcome addition to any public library's professional development collection.