Teen Services 101

Not every public library has a teen department or even a teen librarian, but just about every library serves teens. Have you found yourself needing to run programs or develop collections for teens and don’t know where to start? Whether you’re voluntarily stepping up to fill a service gap or you’ve had teen services added to your role, this bundle of courses will give you the tools and resources you need to succeed.

Courses in this bundle:

Teen Behavior and Developmental Needs: A 4-week eCourse. Begins Monday, March 3, 2025.
Collections for Teens: A 4-week eCourse. Begins Monday, April 7, 2025.
Programs, Spaces, and Services for Teens: A 4-week eCourse. Begins Monday, May 12, 2025.

You can purchase registration for these eCourses individually or as a bundle.

After participating in these courses, you will:

Understand human development and what happens during adolescence, including how the teen brain differs from children and adults and how those differences impact their behavior
Have strategies to build relationships with teen patrons and manage challenging behaviors
Be able to share information with other library staff and patrons to help them understand (and be more understanding of) teen behavior
Understand the fundamentals of curating, maintaining, and promoting collections for teens, including purchasing, booktalking, displays, and weeding
Have a list of resources to consult, including where to find reviews and other collection support tools
Be empowered to advocate for all materials for teens, including graphic novels, games, and streaming services
Measure success when it comes to services and programs for teens and understand how success looks different with teen patrons
Articulate to internal and external stakeholders why programs, spaces, and services created just for teens are important library offerings
Assess your physical spaces and make adjustments to encourage wanted behavior and discourage unwanted behavior

Julie Jurgens has worked with children and their families for almost 25 years, with close to 20 spent in public libraries. In her career she's worked in a variety of roles, including as a teen librarian, a school outreach librarian, and an assistant manager. She's also presented on outreach, readers advisory, trauma informed practice, and using music in programming at a variety of local, national, and international venues. Learn more about her work at himissjulie.com.

If you have questions or requests regarding accessibility, contact us at ce@ala.org or at 312-280-5100.