New Iteration: Collaborating with Teens to Build Better Library Programs eCourse

Chicago—ALA Publishing eLearning Solutions announces a new iteration of our popular eCourse, Collaborating with Teens to Build Better Library Programs. Jennifer Velásquez will serve as the instructor for a 4-week facilitated eCourse starting on Monday, November 6, 2017.

Estimated Hours of Learning: 24 
Certificate of Completion available upon request 

Only a foundation of teen participation can build a vibrant environment such as the one in San Antonio’s main library, where teens use computers, listen to music, take cooking classes, do homework, participate in books clubs, and generally hang out. “Teens want a place that welcomes them; they want a role in decision-making, a place that responds to their needs, where they can congregate, socialize, and have a relationship with adults that care about them, who are not their teachers or parents," says Jennifer Velásquez, Coordinator of Teen Services for the San Antonio Public Library System (TX), and a 2011 Library Journal Mover & Shaker. In this eCourse, Velásquez presents practical strategies for giving teens the lead in developing high-appeal programs, collections, and services. Through lectures, readings and interactive assignments, you will also learn how to draw from the insights of teens to create an online presence that is both relevant and effective.

Topics include:

• Identifying and overcoming possible internal and external barriers to teen library programming including lack of funds, and organizational resistance
• How to position teens for success in program development and implementation
• Designing teen-friendly library spaces
• Developing, maintaining, and displaying your collection for teens
• Publicizing your library effectively with social media and the web
• Motivating teen volunteers
• Developing library policy that works for teens, by teens
• How to demonstrate positive results to library administrators, board members, city officials, community members, and other stakeholders through high-impact, low-cost methods such as photos, videos and teen comments

About the Instructor

Jennifer Velásquez serves as Coordinator of Teen Services for the San Antonio Public Library System (TX) and is a lecturer in the iSchool at San Jose State University (CA). She is a consultant, speaker, thinker, writer and trainer in teen library services and programming with a specialty in teen library spaces. In 2011, Jennifer was recognized by Library Journal as a "Mover & Shaker" in the area of innovation. The New York Times recognized her work in teen library services when it presented her with the New York Times Librarian Award in 2005. Her book Real-World Teen Services was published by ALA Editions in 2015. Follow Jennifer on Twitter @jenVLSQZ.

Registration for this ALA Publishing eLearning Solutions facilitated eCourse, which begins on November 6, 2017, can be purchased at the ALA Store. Participants in this course will need regular access to a computer with an internet connection for online message board participation, viewing online video, listening to streaming audio (MP3 files), and downloading and viewing PDF and PowerPoint files.

ALA Publishing eLearning Solutions (ELS) produces high-quality professional development events and materials for the library profession. ELS events cover modern issues on a wide variety of topics in formats that include live workshops, asynchronous eCourses, and print publications. We help ensure that today’s library employees have access to the professional development opportunities they need, whether they are brushing up on the basics or expanding their horizons with cutting-edge tools. Contact us at elsmarketing@ala.org.

ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness, and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide.