Thing Five: Comment on an aricle about Library 2.0

Ok, for my Librarary 2.0 Challenge I have to comment on an article I read. One article I read is about how teens are involved in the library. As of late, or three years ago, we realised we have programs for 0-8 year olds and programs for adults but nothing inbetween. Hmmm. Major oversight. So a teen services person was hired and some teen programs started developing. We even have a teen section complete with magazine racks, new table and chairs, new area rug, and a new couch. We are hoping that if we make teens feel welcome and part of our library environment they will help us to look after it. But back on track to my comments on the article. The article asks why are we being asked to voluntarily complete 23 things in six months. The author states that the teens already know how to do these things, they do not need our help. My answer is, now we will know more about them and understand what they are doing. We will understand what their project took to accomplish. Maybe then we can build a bond and their self-esteem when we have to ask them for help. We can help them show that teenagers can contribute to society. I have also found that many teens love to share what they have completed on the net or to help me accomplish something with the computer. They also have more time and interest to learn the new ways of the internet so they have a great deal to teach me. It gives us some positive shared experiences so that when I have to ask them to quiet down, they listen to me just a little more.