Background:
The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) has developed a training series, “Transforming Teen Services” http://www.ala.org/yalsa/train-trainer-project and representatives from most states participated in multi-day training sessions and are delivering this training to the public libraries in their states.
In order to work effectively with youth, everyone needs a basic understanding of how young people develop, their needs, and their assets. This includes everyone who comes in contact with tweens and teens in the library. Transforming Teen Services consists of three modules: Ages & Stages, Computational Thinking, and Connected Learning.
On March 16th, 2023 library staff serving Delaware teens were invited to attend YALSA Competencies in Action, an all-day training modeled from Transforming Teen Services.
Computational Thinking sessions were held in Fall 2020.
Computational Thinking has nothing to do with coding or computers; simply, it's problem solving and the steps we take to solves problems: decomposition (breaking it down into smaller parts); pattern recognition (do we see similarities); abstraction (what is relevant); algorithms (what set of rules can we can we design)
The first module, Ages & Stages, summarizes key research in child and youth development and focuses on how to create programs and services that are appropriate for the youth in your community.
Ages & Stages Workshop Outcomes
Participants will be able to:
Connected Learning sessions were held in Spring 2021
Connected learning combines personal interests, supportive relationships, and opportunities. It is learning in an age of abundant access to information and social connection that embraces the diverse backgrounds and interests of all young people.
When we welcome teenagers into our library spaces, we can expect a certain number of behavioral challenges. There are many approaches we can take as practitioners to guide and manage behavior in the library. Learn how libraries can make use of restorative practices to help teens learn from their behavior, in meaningful and transformative ways, and maintain access to their library.