Teens are one of the hardest age groups to get into the library. They have jobs, sports, and they want to just “hang” (whatever that means). As a Teen librarian I still strive to be relevant to them and plan things they will like but I sometimes wonder if I’m getting through to them.
But the library is so important! Teens can come and find people who want to invest in them. I try to plan events that will appeal to them and that they will want to come to! Here’s an example of my most successful program thus far!
Last summer I had a lot of success with a fandom themed cupcake wars. I made TONS of cupcakes. I had them pre-register so I would have an idea of how many kids were coming and they each got two cupcakes. We had about 5 extra teen show up. So that’s an extra 10 cupcakes. Thankfully I was covered cupcake wise. But it was amazing! They were making marvel themed cupcakes, Hunger Games themed cupcakes, and other things that I didn’t even know what they were!
I also had a local business send someone to be our judge. She dressed up in her Harry Potter garb, adding to the fun atmosphere, and it got the community more involved in our Summer Reading Program.
This year we’re doing the cupcake wars again, and I’m really excited. I hope to get lots of Teens that want to come again. But I’m keeping things simple. One event in June and one event in July.
In July we are going to be doing a Hunger Game themed event. They will have to build a shelter, get through an obstacle course, identify poison plants and edible ones. I’m excited! Hopefully both of these events will be well attended because I want to provide something for our teens to do. In a small town there isn’t a whole lot going on in the summer, especially for Teens.
If you have any tips for me, please feel free to put them in the comments because I could use all the help I can get!
Keep Sparkling,
-B
The Sparkling Librarian 