Liven Up Your Library - (Digital Age Librarian's) by Julia Torres & Valerie Tagoe (Paperback)

About the Book

"Developing programs for learners can be an ongoing challenge for librarians - especially first-year librarians. Current books on the topic primarily focus on makerspaces or read alouds, and are aimed at elementary school grades, with a surface-level approach. This book addresses deeper issues that librarians face, while illustrating how to serve teens and tweens specifically by offering programming relevant to their lives. The authors offer practical ideas for developing effective programming through collaborating with the community to develop and implement programs, connecting programs to ISTE Standards and curriculum, and addressing curricular and socio-emotional needs. They also share practical advice on budgeting and funding to support programs, scheduling, maximizing the use of technology to aid in programming and much more. The book also explores ways library programs can have a positive impact on school culture, such as addressing the digital divide, inclusion and cultural relevance"--

Book Synopsis

Learn how librarians can positively effect change in areas like digital equity and inclusiveness, while creating powerful programming for middle and high school students.

Developing programs for learners can be an ongoing challenge for librarians - especially first-year librarians. Current books on the topic primarily focus on makerspaces or read alouds, and are aimed at elementary school grades, with a surface-level approach. This book addresses deeper issues that librarians face, while illustrating how to serve teens and tweens specifically by offering programming relevant to their lives.

The authors offer practical ideas for developing effective programming through collaborating with the community to develop and implement programs, connecting programs to ISTE Standards and curriculum, and addressing curricular and socio-emotional needs. They also share practical advice on budgeting and funding to support programs, scheduling, maximizing the use of technology to aid in programming and much more. The book also explores ways library programs can have a positive impact on school culture, such as addressing the digital divide, inclusion and cultural relevance.

This book:

• Discusses why programming is critical and covers how to develop library programs that are inclusive, culturally relevant and beneficial for students transitioning from high school to college.
• Shows how library programming aligns with American Association of School Librarians (AASL), Future Ready Librarians framework and the ISTE Standards.
• Provides checklists and templates to help readers develop their own programming ideas and lesson plans.
• Offers guidance on building consensus from various stakeholders and involving students, faculty and community in the development of programs.
• Shares stories from librarians in K-12 and higher education, addressing how they design their programs and offer career and educational paths for students.

Programming for teens and young adults is a catalyst for learning and exploration. The activities and learning experiences shared in this book will empower librarians and deepen student learning.

Audience: Middle and high school librarians, tween and teen public librarians, first-year experience librarians.

Review Quotes

"Authors and school librarians Tagoe and Torres outline a variety of ways to start, maintain, and expand library events for young adults, bringing the wealth of their education and experience to this title, which offers practical information on everything from creating a welcoming library environment to starting an teen book club from scratch."--Ryan P. Donovan "School Library Journal"

Authors and school librarians Tagoe and Torres outline a variety of ways to start, maintain, and expand library events for young adults, bringing the wealth of their education and experience to this title, which offers practical information on everything from creating a welcoming library environment to starting an teen book club from scratch. A section at the beginning outlines AASL Reading Standards and ISTE Standards for Educators. While this will be more relevant to fellow school librarians, the title quickly segues into applicable information that will be useful for public librarians as well. In particular, the "Librarian Spotlight" sections interspersed throughout are valuable inclusions of experience and programs from other industry professionals. The book also emphasizes taking advantage of the library's youth population as a resource for providing dynamic, flexible events for education and recreation. The book is written in an accessible format that will give youth services staff excellent talking points when speaking with stakeholders, such as library directors or Friends of the Library groups, to make a case for funding youth programming. It will be most helpful for school librarians who are first starting out with tween and teen programming, but can be useful for novice young adult librarians in public libraries as well. However, it might not be as practical for established teen librarians who have previous youth program experience in libraries. VERDICT Recommended supplemental purchase for professional development.--Ryan P. Donovan "School Library Journal"

About the Author

Valerie Tagoe is a high school librarian in Texas. She's a winner of the S. Janice Kee Award from Texas Woman's University, and a past president of the Dallas Association of School Librarians. Currently, she's a member of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) Board of Directors. In addition to serving on the board, Tagoe is also active in the Texas Library Association (TLA) as a member of its Legislative Committee. She holds a bachelor's in French, with a minor in history, from the University of Oklahoma; a master's of bilingual education from Southern Methodist University; and an MLS from Texas Woman's University.