Teen Spaces: The Step-by-Step Library Makeover
Taney, K. B.(2003) Teen spaces : the step-by-step library makeover. Chicago : American Library Association.
This book is a practical and fun guide to redesigning or creating spaces for teens in libraries, both school and public. With vast personal experience, the author emphasizes that in order to be successful, the library must involve teens in the design process. She gives pReal life examples are given throughout, and there are handy charts at the end of the book that provide guidance for the complete makeover process.
While this book is great for those libraries that can dedicate space to teens, I wish it had touched on what libraries with limited space could do, as I work for a library with a Teen Lounge that is only set up once a week. Also, there was not much discussion of library policy and how it can be made to meet the needs of our teen populations, or how that would then affect library staff and other patrons. Serving diverse populations, especiallyin public libraries, can be a delicate juggling act, and choosing to dedicate a portion of your library to teens could have political ramifications.
Still, if your library is able and willing to set up a space for teens, this book is definitely essential reading!
This book is a practical and fun guide to redesigning or creating spaces for teens in libraries, both school and public. With vast personal experience, the author emphasizes that in order to be successful, the library must involve teens in the design process. She gives pReal life examples are given throughout, and there are handy charts at the end of the book that provide guidance for the complete makeover process.
While this book is great for those libraries that can dedicate space to teens, I wish it had touched on what libraries with limited space could do, as I work for a library with a Teen Lounge that is only set up once a week. Also, there was not much discussion of library policy and how it can be made to meet the needs of our teen populations, or how that would then affect library staff and other patrons. Serving diverse populations, especiallyin public libraries, can be a delicate juggling act, and choosing to dedicate a portion of your library to teens could have political ramifications.
Still, if your library is able and willing to set up a space for teens, this book is definitely essential reading!
