Teen Participation

Benefit to teens Fresh, creative, new ideas Credibility / Ownership Lighten YOUR load!

3/29/2007

Kimberly Bolan, Library Consultant Kimberly Bolan & Associates

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Resources
www.search-institute.org/assets/
Asset development and more

www.theinnovationcenter.org
Unleashes the potential of youth, adults, organizations, and communities to engage together

3/29/2007

Kimberly Bolan, Library Consultant Kimberly Bolan & Associates

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Teen Participation Success

Open-Minded, Progressive Adults Collaboration / Power Sharing

3/29/2007

Kimberly Bolan, Library Consultant Kimberly Bolan & Associates

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All rights reserved 2007 Kimberly Bolan, Consultant

Resources
The Innovation Center. Youth in DecisionMaking: A Study on the Impacts of Youth on Adults and Organizations
http://www.theinnovationcenter.org/r_research.asp

Dempsey, Beth. Power: Designing Buildings & Services from the End Users Viewpoint Transforms Access for Everyone. Library Journal, Dec. 2005: 72+.

3/29/2007

Kimberly Bolan, Library Consultant Kimberly Bolan & Associates

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Teen Advisory Boards

(Yes, even in schools!)

Junior Friends Board Members

(See my blog Multnomah Co.)

Project & Planning Committees Focus Groups

3/29/2007 Kimberly Bolan, Library Consultant Kimberly Bolan & Associates All Rights Reserved 2007

Working with Teen Groups

Be proactive, not reactive Actively recruit Create a casual atmosphere Serve food, giveaways/incentives Talk to teens Find a balance

- users/non-users, males/females, social groups

3/29/2007 Kimberly Bolan, Library Consultant Kimberly Bolan & Associates All Rights Reserved 2007

All rights reserved 2007 Kimberly Bolan, Consultant

More
Provide guidelines Guide, dont dictate Use visuals
presentations, samples, sample boards

Prepare to incorporate & defend input Empower them! The freedom to do

3/29/2007

Kimberly Bolan, Library Consultant Kimberly Bolan & Associates

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Facilities Focus Groups 101

Public School Library / Collaboration is key! 1st meeting get buy-in, show them possibilities Use visuals throughout process Incorporate feedback forms in meetings Get additional input via online surveys

3/29/2007

Kimberly Bolan, Library Consultant Kimberly Bolan & Associates

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More Focus Groups 101

Have teens assist with research, compiling feedback, etc. Schedule regular meetings Work with architects & designers that want customer input Keep teens informed & show them results!
3/29/2007 Kimberly Bolan, Library Consultant Kimberly Bolan & Associates All Rights Reserved 2007

All rights reserved 2007 Kimberly Bolan, Consultant

For more information see

Handout - Facilities for Teens: Focus Group Questions My blog - Sample online survey

3/29/2007

Kimberly Bolan, Library Consultant Kimberly Bolan & Associates

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Focus Group Feedback

Working with teen focus groups since 2001 Interviewed over 300 12 19 year olds since 11/06 Tastes vary by age & geographic area 100% think adults try too hard Very practical, thoughtful & budget conscious
3/29/2007

More stats to follow in April on my blog Additional feedback:

Durango (CO) Herald Teens share library tastes (2/22/07)

Kimberly Bolan, Library Consultant Kimberly Bolan & Associates

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Newark Public Library (NY) 2003 Phase 1

3/29/2007

Kimberly Bolan, Library Consultant Kimberly Bolan & Associates

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All rights reserved 2007 Kimberly Bolan, Consultant

Adult/Teen Partnership Multi-phase project Donations Color Comfortable furniture Display New materials Karaoke machine

3/29/2007

Kimberly Bolan, Library Consultant Kimberly Bolan & Associates

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The Next Year

Huge success! More teens Twice as much space More furniture More display More new materials
3/29/2007 Kimberly Bolan, Library Consultant Kimberly Bolan & Associates All Rights Reserved 2007

And And a caf is added at entrance caf

3/29/2007

Kimberly Bolan, Library Consultant Kimberly Bolan & Associates

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All rights reserved 2007 Kimberly Bolan, Consultant

Spring 2007
2-3 new PCs Teens assisting in interviewing new librarian

We dont want to lose these people!!

- Elly Dawson, Director
3/29/2007 Kimberly Bolan, Library Consultant Kimberly Bolan & Associates All Rights Reserved 2007

"If you build it they will come." "If it works people will support it"
-Elly Dawson, Director Newark Public Library (NY)

3/29/2007

Kimberly Bolan, Library Consultant Kimberly Bolan & Associates

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Renovated Best Cellar Waupaca PL (WI) Opened March 2006 Designed by teens working with designer, architect, and librarian Heart of the library Separate pre-teen area

All rights reserved 2007 Kimberly Bolan, Consultant

Thank you!
Kimberly (Kim) Bolan
Librarian | Consultant | Trainer | Writer Kimberly Bolan & Associates 10094 Yosemite Lane, Indianapolis, IN 46234
P: 585-739-7003 (business cell) E: bolan_kimberly@yahoo.com B: indielibrarian.blogspot.com W: www.libraryconsultants.org

3/29/2007

Kimberly Bolan, Library Consultant Kimberly Bolan & Associates

All Rights Reserved 2007

All rights reserved 2007 Kimberly Bolan, Consultant