Metamorphosis teen summer reading program

In brief : During my first professional position I found myself building a teen services program from scratch at a public library in a small town. In this article, I reflect on some of what I learned through that experience, including the value of data, the importance of having a vision, how much relationships matter, and the value of professional community. I conclude with a call for dialogue among other builders of teen services to share our experiences and lessons. Instead, I was hired as the first Teen Services Librarian at a library in Connecticut and found myself building a teen program nearly from scratch — all while working part-time first 19 hours a week, then 21, then 28, with more hours each fiscal year. It was my first professional job, and I was building myself as a librarian as much as I was building the YA program at the library; I learned a lot about the real world of library work, about myself, and about the value of professional community.

Change is the theme of two summer reading programs for teens. Registration is under way. Teens have two options for participation, the library's Web site shows. Those who read five eligible books or who spend 10 hours reading before July 30 will win prizes. The form may be downloaded from the Web site, www. Once it is returned, participants will be given a reading log, bookmark, tattoo and a copy of the summer reading program rules.

Did you Know? Libraries have a strong track record of providing a variety of key services that meet the unique needs of teens. Make sure your teen has a library card. If needed, print this flier and take it to your nearest library.

Teens between the ages of 14 and 18 who reside in Montgomery County are invited to test their creative skills and participate in the Teen Summer Reading Video Contest. The content must be original, and the use of copyrighted material is not permitted. Videos must use respectful language, gestures, clothing and behavior. Any entries not meeting those standards will not be considered.