Teens 13–18

TALKING POINTS

Teens need easy access to quality library resources and trained library professionals in order to master the critical literacy and technology skills they need in order to lead successful careers and personal lives. Free access to books, the Internet, information technologies and other library resources that reflect a wide range of topics and opinions also helps prepare teens to become informed, active participants in a democratic society.

The most dangerous time of the day is from 3 PM to 6 PM. Public libraries provide teens with a constructive place to go during these hours, where teens can organize and participate in supervised recreational and educational activities.| more
Teens rely on the library because it’s a place to explore and expand their interests, and benefit from having resources and staff targeted to their needs. Thanks to public library staff, they learn how to use the tools and resources they need to pursue school-related studies and research projects, and expand their reading interests through the availability of targeted materials, such as graphic novels, periodicals, interactive learning tools and more. | more
The library provides a place for teens that encourages and values open communication and the sharing of ideas. The public library is a place where they can be and express themselves among peers, foster supportive relationships with peers and adults through library-sponsored programs, and interact with library staff, thus gaining confidence as they seek the help of adults with their projects. | more

Students whose library media specialists played [an instructional] role—either by identifying materials to be used with teacher-planned instructional units or by collaborating with teachers in planning instructional units—tend to achieve higher average test score.

Students learn 21st century learning skills through state-of-the-art school library media programs. | more
The school library media program plays an important role in helping students get an overall conception of the information seeking process with all the different steps it contains. | more
Interactions with a school library media specialist aid children and teens in becoming confident, competent, and independent learners. | more