How could the library do a better job of telling teens what they have to offer?
Let me introduce myself — I'm Rebecca Frailich. To clarify that's Rebecca Fry-likh — it finishes with a guttural "h" sound that we don't have in English. It's pretty unfortunate to have a name containing a consonant that doesn't exist in my native language. It's a pain trying to introduce myself. But my surname does have one charming characteristic, it means "joy" in Yiddish. My name seemed kind of ironic for most of my childhood — in many ways I was the odd one out and it left me quite unhappy.
As you probably realize, I'm Jewish. But not that Jewish. My family was a little too scandalous for the orthodoxy. I was also home-schooled, and an only child, so for many years, I was in a class of one. The consequence of my childhood without a lot of other children around is that I felt most comfortable around adults; this was a bit of a problem because I wasn't one. I needed friends my own age. Simply, I lacked any real sense of community.
And then I turned twelve and started frequenting the library.
Fast-forward a bit. It was one of the warmer months of 2006, I went to a North York Central Library event that taught how to turn old sweaters into purses. The lady running it, Susan, told me that she was starting a program for aspiring writers and she thought I would be a good fit. I was. We met twice a month, every month and shared story and poem ideas, did writing exercises, and ate an awful lot of junk food. I cringe thinking back to our snacking habits, but the social and creative value was 
undeniable. We operated as one supportive unit. Each member was special. When one of us was missing, the rest of us felt their absence. I was in Heaven. I belonged.
My newfound place fostered what I expect to be a lifelong love of public libraries. This in turn led me to volunteer. After all, what do you do for those you care about but give? I joined the NYCL's Youth Advisory Group. The YAG gave me my first exposure to working in a panel setting. I've been on many panels since then and I certainly appreciate the early exposure in a friendly environment. It was very rewarding knowing that I was helping to create and maintain the kinds of programs that meant so much to me. I hoped and still hope to spread my love of libraries to other young adults.
Generally, I'm very happy with my library experience, but there are two places I feel it is letting me down. First, there were plenty of well-made programs for me when I was twelve. Now I'm eighteen and I can't remember the last time I saw a library event geared toward me or my peers, not even a book club. I miss that.
Second, if there are any events suitable for me, I rarely hear about them. A couple weeks ago I went to Barbara Frum for a beading workshop. I have librarian friends who know I like to craft, I frequent libraries and other public spaces, I was even looking around on the library website recently, but I heard about this event from my mother a few mornings ago. She only knew about it because her friend frequents Barbara Frum.
So I guess I feel a little neglected by the library right now and am wondering how they could do a better job of telling teens, especially older ones like me, what they have to offer us.
But I certainly still appreciate all the library has given me. I don't doubt that it was a major figure in helping me grow and keep moving toward fulfilling my full potential. I'm a better writer, which I'm sure has helped me become a better student, I'm comfortable being deeply involved in planning committees and the like, and frankly I'm a little more comfortable being myself than I was six years ago, and I'm a little more "frailiche” because of it.
7 thoughts on “How could the library do a better job of telling teens what they have to offer?”
Pretty interesting article, Rebecca – I’m an adult with a YA lit obsession, and even I find it hard to find out about events that I’m interested in. I think the branch libraries need to remember that older teens like you can’travel throughout the city, and will do so if you find out about an interesting event or committee. My suggestion to TPL would be to expand their social networking sites and advertise popular events on Facebook, Twitter, etc. I would also suggest advertising these events not just within branches, but throughout branches all over the city, and in community centres and city halls, if possible.
I don’t know if your Youth Advisory Group meets with other YAGs, but wouldn’t it be great if you could all get together in a summit once a year to discuss what you want out of the library?
Just suggestions. I don’t work for the library, but I’m very interested in youth and youth literature, so I hope some of these help (also, whoever is reading this, I would be happy to volunteer to help organize some of these initiatives).
Hi from the library, Tiff, and thanks for your suggestions.
We agree that there are opportunities to get the word out more widely, so we thank you for your suggestions – including the one about the YAG summits. We’ll be sure to forward all of your ideas along.
You’ll be interested to know that the library is already set up on Facebook ( http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/facebook ) as well Twitter (@TorontoLibrary and also @TPLTeens for teens).
Thanks also for your interest in volunteering for the library. Here is some info about volunteering for us: http://www.torontopubliclibrary.ca/support-us/volunteering
If you have a few more minutes, please provide your additional input by completing our Strategic Plan Survey and let us know what you think about our proposed themes and the goals we’re hoping to achieve in the coming years: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TPL_2012-2015_Strategic_Plan
Thanks for your continued interest and support of the library, Tiff!
I would really love a book club for teens, and I know so many people who would join!
We rack our brains trying to find ways to reach the 18-24 group in our library. We’re not ignoring you, honest but it would helpful if you told us HOW we can reach you! We’re on FB and Twitter where else can we put info where you’ll find it?
Posters displaying electronic games available for rental with a library card. Those posters could be displayed in the libraries and schools. Other posters could be for Teen fiction books and also for comics and DVDs. Not pamphlets or booklets. Posters are to the point and fast browsing. Great to grab teens attentions.
Hey Sarah, thanks for the suggestion. We’ve tried this, I think, and we’ll probably try it again, so any detailed suggestions you might have about how to make it work would be welcome. Feel free to get in touch with me directly at ksparling@torontopubliclibrary.ca, 416-397-5970.
If you haven’t already done so, please fill out our Strategic Plan survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TPL_2012-2015_Strategic_Plan
thanks again!
This is good feedback to have, Henry, we’re constantly revisiting the issue of posters vs. pamphlets, and your argument is a good one.
If you have specific suggestions about where in your school you would be most likely to see and pay attention to a poster from the library, let us know, as this is also an ongoing issue for us. You can contact me directly at ksparling@torontopubliclibrary.ca, 416-397-5970.
And if you have time to fill out our Strategic Plan survey, we’d very much appreciate it: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/TPL_2012-2015_Strategic_Plan