The Tweens are Alright:Tween Programs in Teams

Presented by Matt KirschnerTween Librarian

South Brunswick Public Library732-329-4000 x.7285

mattkirschner@sbpl.infoFollow me @mattkirschner

Introduction

• Write down your definition of "tween".

• "Storytimes", teen programs... & everything in between?

• Hired at SBPL as a "Tween Librarian".o Primary purpose: Bring in the "middle to upper

elementary kids"o Job description: As read above, storytime & "other duties

as assigned".

...or, "Allow myself to introduce... myself."

The Gap...or, "What's to be done with these ragamuffins?"

• Serious gap in programming for kids in 4th-7th grade.o "Tweens"

• Important to retain these kids through late elementary school & middle school.o "Living in Idaho" (an analogy)

• Hired specifically for the purpose of drawing these 4th-7th grade patrons in.

The Tween Collection

• "Juvenile Fiction"

• Requesting a "Tween" item category from LMxACo Not necessary, but helpful for statistics

• Defining a "tween book"o A prevailing trend/obstacleo Journals, Graded lists, & own knowledge

• Sort, sticker, catalog, rinse, repeat

• Upkeep

...or, "Setting the Stage"

Programming: Chess Club

• Learned quickly: Tweens love to compete.

• Chess Club initially our only program for 3rd grade & up.

• Very successful, well attended. Especially for tween boys.

• Problems:o Very narrow range of programming.o Tween boys severely over-represented.o Tween girls under-represented.

...or, "Am I smarter than a fourth grader?"

Boys Club & Girls Club

• Fixing the representation problem by offering two separate groups.

• What should I do?o ANYTHING!o Cater to their interestso Games, Wii, movies, popular series... just invite them.

• Creating an informal advisory councilo Like YAC, but less organized.

• Statistics

...or, "Get Them Here... Do Something Different"

Summertime

• Grouping them together out of necessity.o Busy summer desk... ever have that problem?

• Get them interacting more before middle school & beyond.o Most of these early programs looked like a middle school

dance... that's normal.

• Formato Girls wanted "Boys vs. Girls" than boys did!

•  Finding the right balance

...or, "Get Them Together... Do Anything"

Team Play

• During summer programs, certain tasks required tweens to work as part of a team.o Awful Towero Scrambled States of Americao Team Scavenger Hunt

• Gives the developing tweens opportunity outside the classroom to...o ...develop leadership (and teamwork) skills.o ...develop listening skills.o ...develop teaching skills.o ...develop problem-solving skills.o ...develop peer mediation skills.

...or, "Building Skills Together"

Anything You Can Do...

• Examples:o Popular book programs

Percy Jackson, Wimpy Kid, Harry Pottero "Minute to Win It" gameso Scavenger hunts

"Extreme Closeup"o "Threading the Needle"o Super Stackso Wii gameso Board/card gameso Origami

...or, "Keeping it Simple"

Defining "Tween"

• Your definition(s)

• Discussions with administration followed to determine which children we’re actually aiming our services toward.

• Trying not to overreach.o Taking on more than you can chew.o Stepping on toes of other departments.

• Reasons for settling on 4th-7th grade.

...or, "Fine Lines & How to Walk All Over Them"

Branding Team Tween

• Need an identifiable name/night to go with tween programs.

• Their idea: Team Tween Tuesdayso My reaction: "EVERY Tuesday?!"

• The solution: Team Tween Silver Screeno Helps during off weeks for programming.o Little planning/set-up required.o Still draws the kids into the library.o Can do anything: take-home crafts, after school club,

open game night.

...or, "Tween Tuesdays"

Summertime, Revisited

• Tween Summer Reading Programo Offers older kids opportunity for bigger prizes.o Using donated books (in good condition) as prizes.o Helps promote Team Tween programs.

• Redefining "tween"o Team Tween programs are 4th-7th grade.o Problem with 6th & 7th graders.o YA summer reading & statistics.

 • Solution & Statistics

...or, "Stomping on Fine Lines, Part Two"

The Remaining Gap

• 3rd grade less represented than older & younger kids.o "Middle elementary"... too old for storytime, but not as

comfortable w/ upper elementary group yet.

• Gap of one grade/year is better than gap of five years before. But how to get everyone?

• Bringing them back:o Chesso Art Discovery/Workshopo Lego Clubo Family Craft Nighto Special Programs

...or, "What's the Deal With 3rd Graders?"

Making Team Tween Work For You

• Volunteer opportunities in the library

• Ideas:o "Team Tween Goes Green" (recycling)o Creating a "Tween Garden"o Decorating a "Tween Lounge"

• Coordinating with YA services and leading kids into teen programs, YAC, etc.

• Introducing growing tweens to teen programs/services.

...literally

The End.

South Brunswick Public Library: http://www.sbpl.info

732-329-4000 x.7285

email:mattkirschner@sbpl.info

Twitter:Follow @mattkirschner

...or, "The Slide Without a Catchy Subtitle"

Questions?