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Young Adult Programming

The resources listed below provide you with information and ideas on library programming for young adults.

YALSA Resources

Teen Read Week
The Teen Read Week Web Site includes ideas of programs to try during TRW.

Teen Tech Week
The Teen Tech Week website offers programming ideas and more.

YALSA Electronic Resources
Subscribe to YA-YAAC, YALSA's electronic discussion list on programming for teens, and learn more about other e-resources for librarians.

YALSA Online Courses
YALSA offers online courses three times a year and all courses can be licensed at any time.

YALSA Blog
The YALSA blog offers news on YALSA, as well as discussion on trends and news that affect teen librarianship.

YALSA Wiki
The YALSA wiki is full of programming ideas and it's editable by anyone, so you can add your own!

Books

Alessio, Amy, ed.. Excellence in library services to young adults : the nation's top programs. Chicago : YALSA, 5th edition. Learn more about the 25 top young adult programs in the country.

Edwards, Kirsten. Teen library events : a month-by-month guide. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 2001.
Month-by-month ideas for things to do with teens in the library

George, Sean P. S. “Long on enthusiasm but short on ideas? An annotated bibliography on young adult programming.” In: Young adults and public libraries, Greenwood Press, 1998.
Ideas you can use to give teens in the community high-quality programming they will want to take part in.

Kan, Katharine. Sizzling summer reading programs for young adults Chicago : American Library Association, 1998.
Find out how to use incentives successfully, put together a thematic program, and how to get teens involved in planning and participating.

McGuire, Elaine M. “Programming for young adults: no holds barred.” In: Young adults and public libraries, Greenwood Press, 1998.

Pilger, Mary Ann . Multicultural projects index : things to make and do to celebrate festivals, cultures, and holidays around the world.: Libraries Unlimited, 1998.
Use this resource for program ideas.

Shaevel, Evelyn. Courtly love in the shopping mall : humanities programming for young adults. Chicago : American Library Association, 1991.

Simpson, Martha Seif. Reading programs for young adults : complete plans for 50 theme-related units for public, middle school, and high school libraries. Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland & Co., 1997.
50 theme based unites designed to draw young adults into the library. Includes ideas for displays, prized, and curriculum integration.

Articles

Caywood, Carolyn A. “The Cinderblock Cafe.” School Library Journal v. 43 (Jan. '97) p. 45.
Read how one public library created a successful summer reading program for young adults, including a cafe.

Goldsmith, Francisca. “A world of teen poets at the public library.” Voice of Youth Advocates v. 22 no1 (Apr. '99) p. 23+.
What does it take to develop poetry programming for teens?

Kellicker, Patricia. “Mission possible: read! Teens produce their own summer reading game.” Voice of Youth Advocates v. 21 no1 (Apr. '98) p. 16-18.
Find out how to get teens involved in your summer reading programming.

Long, Sarah Ann. “Two afterschool programs ASPIRE to take the initiative.” American Libraries v. 31 no3 (Mar. 2000) p. 7.
They did it in Houston and in at the Ela Area Public Library District in Lake Zurich, Illinois. Both created successful afterschool programs. This article tells you something about what each program includes.

McKay, Patricia W. “Teen read week' sparks regional cooperation in metropolitan Richmond.” Virginia Libraries v. 45 no3 (July/Aug./Sept. 1999) p. 16-17.
Looking for ideas on what you can do during Teen Read Week? Find out how libraries in Virginia worked together to create successful programming for teens.

Plesser, Frances. “Programs with boys and girls together.” Voice of Youth Advocates v. 18 (Apr. '95) p. 11-12.
Do you have programs that only girls attend and programs that only boys attend? It doesn't have to be that way. Read this article find out what you need to do to bring the two groups together.

Singer, Rebecca. “School-age children and the public library.” Journal of Youth Services in Libraries v. 13 no1 (Fall 1999) p. 36-41.
Find out about the services libraries are providing for school-age children.

Thorson, Coleen. “Write on.” School Library Journal v. 44 no5 (May '98) p. 61.
How the Maple Grove Library in Minnesota got a successful writing contest for teens going.

Wemett, Lisa C . “Putting summer reading into action.” Voice of Youth Advocates v. 21 no1 (Apr. '98) p. 19-23.

Williams, Barbara Osborne. “Tapping teen talent in Queens: a library-based, LSCA-funded youth development success story from New York.” Voice of Youth Advocates v. 19 (Aug. '96) p. 143-7.

Useful Web Sites

Virtual YA Index 
The place to go to find web sites for teens - on many you can find out what programs a library is offering to young adults in the community.

PUBYAC
Join PUBYAC to take part in discussion about children's and YA services or search the mailing lists archives to find good young adult programming ideas.

The Search Institute
Don't miss the 40 developmental assets.