Home  Programming for Young Adults
Professional Development Center
Professional Development Topics
Programming
The resources listed below provide you with information and ideas on library programming for young adults.
Professional organizations, government agencies, and institutions
Excellence in Library Service to Young Adults Read about libraries that are providing high-quality services to young adults. All are winners of YALSA's Excellence in Library Services to Young Adults program.
YIKES! Young Adult Programming Made Easy
Use this form to order the Michigan Library Association's publication with YA programming ideas.
Teen Read Week
The Teen Read Week Web Site includes ideas of programs to try during TRW.
Urban Libraries as Partners in Youth Development
Find out what teens have to say about libraries and how some libraries are successfully meeting the needs of young adults in the community.
Model Programs
Los Angeles Public Library - What's Going On Take a look at LAPL's What's Going On page to find out some of the interesting programs and services they are offering to young adults in the community.
Teen Services at Berkeley Public Library
A list of ongoing and upcoming programs. On the list you might find an open mike night, chamber music, and playreading.
King County Library System - Teen Zone - Teens @ the Library
What's the King County Library System have for teens? Find out here
Books
Chelton, Mary K. Excellence in library services to young adults : the nation's top programs. Chicago : American Library Association, Edition: 3rd ed., 2000. (2nd ed. Chicago : American Library Association, 1997; 1st ed. Chicago: American Library Association, 1994.).
In each volume you can read about the 50 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.
Great Transitions
This document from the Carnegie Corporation covers many key topics related to adolescent development including education, family, community and media.
The Search Institute
Don't miss the 40 developmental assets.
School Age Programming Workshop
Includes information gathered from two workshops help by the Houston Public Library. Includes program ideas, questions to ask when considering YA programming, and elements of success.
If you have questions or comments about the Professional Development Center contact YALSA
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