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Group Name: Channel 12 Trailers: Library Literacy Campaign Library Name: Tucson-Pima Public library Advisor(s) Name: Joanna Peled, Originator and Librarian, Yolanda Sainz, Librarian, Gene Einfrank, Producer Ch 12. What year did the TAG start? 2004.   I began this project while I was still at the Valencia Branch library and completed it at the Southwest Branch Library. How often does the TAG meet? We meet sporadically.   We also talk via email in between our meetings.   When the time is right we meet because we have something important to fulfill. How many members does your TAG currently have? 18 teen members, and 5 adult members, some of whom are part of the shooting and editing team, actors and general support.

How do you recruit members for your TAG?

Since this is a teen group, I asked them to join me in answering these questions.   I met with 3 of the teens, the only ones who could make it, and another sent in comments.   I’ve included their comments, followed by their first names.   A complete list of participants is included at the end of the spotlight information.

After unsuccessfully trying to recruit from though the branch Library, I put this ad in the paper:

Neighborhood Briefing
September 18, 2005 
Teen readers sought for video project.   The Tucson-Pima Public Library is looking for teenage readers to tell everyone about their favorite books. .The library, in partnership with Tucson 12-the City Channel, is looking for teens to help produce video trailers about books they love, in English or Spanish, best seller or not.  At about one-minute long, the videos won't tell the whole story. Trailers will focus on something that will entice others to read the book.

Here is what teens had to say about the recruitment process:

“I was recruited through word of mouth.  My best friend had read the newspaper article and her mother had contacted mine with all of the information.  My mother set up the necessary information needed and I found myself at the first meeting!” Cecelia (teen)

“I heard about the group from the newspaper.  My mother cut out an article and I read it and wanted to do this group, so I came to the meetings and I enjoyed it. Carly (teen)

“At first we had faint ideas about the trailers we wanted to accomplish.  Later, after seeing how the trailers were made, the focus switched to making the trailers more precise and television worthy.” Carly (teen)

“I ended up involved in this project through different teen library subcommittee.  The MEC YAC/TTC (Metropolitan Education Commission’s Youth Advisory Council/Tucson Teen Congress) has a close partnership with the library, and the teen group helps with programs like choosing the Summer Reading Program theme.  The Channel 12 trailer: LLC needed teens, so some of the more involved library subcommittee members leapt at the opportunity to further help in the library.  We also helped recruit others via word of mouth, and both projects combined goals into the Summer Reading Program and encouraging teens to read.” Katie (teen)

“I was captured the same way that Katie was, through the MEC. It’s a great place to advertise to teens.” Lexxie (teen)

Does the TAG have a particular focus? For example, do members work primarily on collection development, intergenerational projects, reading projects, technology-based projects, and so on? If so, how did this focus come about? 

“Books that are really good.   Shaking sleeping books from a slumber they didn’t deserve.” Cecelia (teen)

“Integrating new and unknown books, and bring them to Young Adults.   Our trailers ended up linking to the Summer Reading Program, “Get Lost in a Book.” Carly (teen)

What recent projects have TAG members developed? 

This is our most recent project.  Two of the trailers have been completed and can be viewed on line at http://www.lib.ci.tucson.az.us/tsrp/trailers.htm.  The remaining 3 trailers have been shot and are currently being edited.  Look for them soon on the same web site.

The teens would like to develop more trailers.   We have been waiting for funding to open up so that we can put in a request.

What advice do you have for someone starting a TAG?  “Try different ways.   Utilize other work groups in the area.” Katie (teen)   “Stick with it and don’t give up.   Bring food!  Be flexible!  Don’t be a stick in the mud!”  Carly (teen)...”I couldn’t have said it better!” Joanna Peled (librarian)   “Be cognizant that teens have other meetings and not everyone can drive.   Integrate older books into the more main stream reading selection.” Katie (teen)   “Listen to the teens you have in the group.   Every group of teens has its own personality and culture.  We, advisors, cannot decide for them.  These teens are coming together because of similar interests therefore librarians cannot create a group, they can only create the opportunities.  Follow the teens' lead.  Guide them as to schedules, deadlines, and occasionally reign them in when they get too sociable!” Joanna Peled (librarian) “FOOD, food is the way to a teens brain! Or so we learn. Oh, Ya… and with awesome adults like Joanna!!! (LEARN FROM HER!)” Lexxie (teen)

What do you think is the hardest part of running a TAG and how do you handle that difficulty? 

“Working with teens and coordinating schedules.”   “We had final say on everything we did, and so it was hard for the adults to override what the teens were saying.”  Carly (teen)

“Teens get sidetracked.  They have the attention span of gnats!” Katie (teen)

What is your favorite part of running a TAG?  As you will see from the following quotes, these trailers came at an important time for some of the teens.   Cecelia was embarking on her first job and this experience helped her integrate into her new environment.   My favorite part is watching them work.  They come with a clean slate and are open to new ideas, willing to try anything.  Joanna Peled (librarian)   “It was fun working with each other.   There was more teen interaction in some of the movies.  It was fun to talk and hang out with teens.” Carly (teen)   “This program gave me the people skills necessary to survive in a work environment.   I was shy at first, but as work progressed, I became more involved and outgoing with teens.” Cecelia (teen) “I got to meet some really cool people, who all introduced me to books that I had never read, and now they are some of my favorite books!” Lexxie(teen)

Are there materials you suggest librarians planning a TAG read/access to help them get started?   No materials out there will teach you how to listen to teens.   We, librarians, know how to listen and we can put this skill to good use with teens.   I do suggest though that you read all of the teen literature that is out there.  It will help you get into a teen head space, and understand better where the teens are coming from.  Joanna Peled (librarian)