If you haven't heard about the Joe & Joan Martin ImaginOn Center in Charlotte, North Carolina, you will be amazed. Not only home to the children's collection, it also houses theatres, areas for children's crafts and specifically of interest to me, an area known as "The Loft" which is specifically designed for Teens.
The Loft houses the entire YA collection, listening posts where teens can listen to AV materials, as well as book clubs and events designed for teens. It also has it's own staff of Teen Specialists. The Loft even has it's own website that helps teens connect with materials and information, as well as each other. You can visit it at www.libraryloft.org
I am just in awe of this Center. Imagine if your library, down the street from your house, had this sort of collaboration? I don't think I'd have ever left. I think people tend to forget that the library is also about communities within the community and we've neglected our young adults for a long time. We have to remember that getting kids into the library is important, but keeping them wanting to stay and come back as young adults is key. I remember being lucky to have one spinner rack full of Sweet Valley High Books in my public library.
What is important for libraries to remember is that it's not about what YOU may THINK teens want, but getting teens together and talking to them and figuring out what they KNOW they need. A place for themselves. Isn't that why we as "anti-establishment misfits of society" locked ourselves in our rooms? We just wanted a place of our own. The Center is a joint collaboration of the arts in one building and provides families with a place where they can come together. Bringing words "from the page to ths stage." Amazing. I would have proudly called the ImaginON my home and I can't wait to go visit...
hmm... I wonder if they perhaps would like a staff of six? ::evil smile::
No comments:
Post a Comment