Teen Services: A Fresh Perspective

After receiving training from Topper Steinman, a recognized expert in working with teens and young adults, we devised the Three Rs: Respect, Relate, and Redirection: RESPECT * Be welcoming * Be glad to see them * Smile * Empathize with their need to socialize and burn energy RELATE * Learn their names * Recognize them * Show interest * Compliment * Praise positive behavior * Remember how you felt at that age REDIRECT * Give choices: In collaboration with the assistant principal from the closest middle school, our security manager and teen librarian presented a pizza/Jeopardy party to inform the teens of expectations in the library. Since we all work directly with students, we help each other stay focused on our daily programming and this collaborative effort has strengthened our camaraderie. * Listen to students.