Final three abstracts: a quality draft

Fisher, H. (2003). A teenage view of the public library: What are the students saying? Aplis, 16(1), 4-16.

This study examines the relationship between young adults and the public library in order to advise staff on strategies to improve services. To gather qualitative data, a written survey was generated and distributed randomly to fifty students each from grades 7 through 12 in a nearby high school. Broken into seven sections, the first section addresses a student’s use of the public library, while the second allows students to share their visions for an ideal library. Additional sections include referred use, resources and technology, library staff, and library environment. Of the 42.4% of students who use the library, most students agree that having the catalog available online should be the highest priority. Additional suggestions include having a café, a comfortable YA area, more student friendly staff, and programs that are well promoted. There needs to be a mutual understanding that public libraries should support students’ academic needs to become a place teens want to visit. This study also shows a need for both the public and school libraries to work together, supporting each other for the betterment of services to their shared patrons: the teens.

Alessio, A. & Buron, N. (2006). Measuring the impact of dedicated teen service in the public library. Young Adult Library Services, 4(3), 47-51.

This study was intended to evaluate libraries with new teen services in order to compare them with libraries that had programs in place for five+ years. A survey was distributed by direct mail, email and as a handout at national library conference. The data collected is considered more anecdotal than statistical due to the professional connected to those responding. Results of the 225 respondents, showed that over a third had a full or part-time teen librarian. This had the greatest impact on increases in circulation, partnerships and teen programs. Nearly half had a full or part-time shared librarian, with almost as much success as the teen librarian. In addition, nearly 93% worked in partnerships such as community organizations sharing resources and supporting each other’s programs. While teen services appear to be on the rise, budgets specific to young adults materials and programs is still a rare exception in a public library budget. This study shows the importance of having professional librarians working with teens, and that working in partnerships can improve services for teens.

Williams, P. & Edwards, J. (2011). Nowhere to go and nothing to do: How public libraries mitigate the impacts of parental work and urban planning on young people. Aplis, 24(4), 142-152.

This study examines the impact of public libraries that provide space and resources specifically for young adults and their psychosocial development. Using a mixed methods strategies approach, librarian interviews were conducted in five of the ten case study communities. As a follow-up, two of the five libraries were selected for their best practices and semi-structured interviews were conducted with a range of stakeholders including teens, parents, other adults, staff and key community members. Results show the need for teens to have access to spatial, social, and developmental resources. Teens are often caught between being excluded from adult spaces while no longer fitting into children’s spaces. A public library can provide a safe place, access to resources, adult support, and social interaction. When a public library addresses teens’ needs, their development can have a significant long-term positive impact and it can help build a stronger citizenship.