Teen Series

There have always been a plethora of series in young adult fiction, but it seems as if lately the ratio of standalone books to series has doubled (or even tripled).  I wonder why?  Is this something about teen fiction that I am just now noticing as I fully enter into the realm of adulthood (albeit kicking and screaming) or is it a new phenomenon?

Series have always been a handy way to get reluctant readers to become invested in a story and WANT to read.  Book series have become more and more popular in adult fiction as well in the last decade.  I think that perhaps the correlation lies in the increased popularity of reading for fun, especially with our teens and tweens.  If more people are reading, we need more books for them to read.

Some may not like the recent upsurge in paranormal romance series, but if it gets the kids reading, can it be all that bad?

The Time Crunch

Now that your library has it's brand new teen section (we hope!) how do you make time to reach your patrons outside of your programs or advisory interviews?  Our friends from England have put together a comprehensive list of all the little things you can do to up the ante on awareness for your collection.

Spend Time in Your Teen Section
Don't hover like a creepy vulture and swoop down on visitors to your teen section, but make sure you spend some time there interacting with the clientele.  Ask them questions, figure out if there is anything that you are currently lacking.

Outreach
Spend some time visiting other institutions like schools in your area or youth clubs.  Present current programs  and use the youth population as a sounding board for ideas.  Dedicate some time to booktalks; it can be at your local middle and high schools, at a local coffee shop hangout, or even a bookstore.

Partner Up
Most local councils will have some connections to youth clubs and other services that can help with your outreach goal if you yourself do not have enough time to do so.  Make sure they know what you can offer the youth of your community.

Quality before Quantity
Rather than stretching yourself thin over many small (perhaps inferior) programs, make sure that the programs you DO put on are fun and well attended.  Again, making sure that your programs are successful by talking to teens that attend them.

These last few are pretty self-explanatory.

Support Your Teens

Apply for Money and Grants

Keep Records of Everything!

Hopefully, if you follow these guidelines you will find yourself completing more tasks with better results without having to use time that you do not have.  Keep in mind though, to save time you need to spend some time.  It doesn't only apply to money!



Source
http://yalibraryuk.org/2012/04/02/on-a-shoestring-reaching-teens-in-a-few-hours-every-week-or-how-to-use-time-effectively-when-you-dont-have-any/

Crafting for Teen Read Week

In recent years the art of crafting and DIY has made a spectacular comeback.  Shops featuring vintage and handmade items with a modern twist are popping up in every town.  Steampunk and its crafting ideals are also on the rise.  If you are looking for something new and exciting to feature in a program, try some of these ideas featured in YALSA's blog.  You can create an experience centered around any book with crafts for your kids.  Nail art, cross-stitching, or just creating some decorations for Halloween or from book ideas.  I think you'll find more enthusiasm for for the library when your audience can get their hands dirty doing it.

Sources
http://yalsa.ala.org/blog/2012/10/15/teen-read-week-ideas-crafting-it-came-from-the-library/#more-20533

Image
http://graphicsfairy.blogspot.com/

Adaptations in Young Adult Literature

The 34th Annual Fantastic in the Arts Conference in its planning stages now.  The theme of the year for 2013 is all about adaptations.  Adaptations of previous works ( Pride, Prejudice and Zombies, Android Karenina, etc.), historical adapatations such as Steampunk and Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter and the issues of fidelity that surround these adaptations.

I myself have previously attended the conference and presented on my Master's thesis on the Steampunk subculture, and I can say with confidence that this conference is an excellent one.  The head of the Children's and Young Adult Literature division is headed by Alaine Martaus of my own University, The University of Illinois at Urbana/Champaign.  The conference does not limit itself to only accepting presentation from those with university affiliations.  If you can write it, you can present it.

Whether you are an aspiring young adult author, librarian, or even a teen yourself, you can avail yourself of this excellent opportunity.  This year's guests of honors are Neil Gaiman and Kij Johnson.  The 500 word proposal is due by October 31 and those that are accepted will be notified by November 15, so get to writing!

Sources
http://call-for-papers.sas.upenn.edu/node/47576