Posted by
fieldl
on 2008-04-05 09:59:52 |
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Posted by
PerkinsLIB5140
on 2008-04-05 16:11:41 |
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The reasons as to why teens don't like using the public library weren't surprising to me.. For some reason, libraries never seemed to carry a great reputation among teenagers. But I think that is beginning to change. Especially as librarians now have to have a MLS, usually integrating technology into their library programs. Many older librarians are also retiring, and a new, more 'hip' generation of librarians is rising out of the ashes. Not old ladies who are mean and unfriendly... but newly graduated, highly educated individuals who WANT to be the best librarian possible! I think teens' opinions will gradually change. Give it 10 years.
_Lydia Perkins_ |
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Posted by
cv75
on 2008-04-12 08:37:22 |
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Why would teens visit their public library when the school library is more convenient? If they are only out to use the internet, they can do that at school or at home. I don't really agree with the authors in their thoughts that use of the internet had nothing to do with library use. In my local library, I see more people sitting on computers than going through the stacks. It does seem like teens read less as their social lives increase. What role does this play?
Charles V. |
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Posted by
fieldl
on 2008-04-12 14:45:33 |
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| I agree with the author's findings that the most common reason people turn away from the library is the convenience factor. The use of the internet speaks to the convenience factor because information is available at one's fingertips around the clock, and that is the reason it is so popular and sometimes preferred. The desire not to return things is somewhat understandable because it is representative of B.F. Skinner's theories of conditioning. Perhaps librarians need to be more creative with the penalties for late materials. For example, fines could be waived if books are returned within a grace period following the reminder notice in the mail. The scariest problem is the fact that kids don't like to read. It is a common problem among youth, and I think the primary reason is that kids today have many more options for entertainment than they ever had before. The only suggestion I have to combat that is to urge parents to encourage reading in the home by establishing bedtime at a certain hour, but allowing kids to read in bed instead of going right to sleep. ~Luanne |
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Posted by
mcmullanea
on 2008-04-13 22:48:24 |
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| I read this article and had similar reactions to what everyone else is saying. I knew YA prefer not to come to the library because they can find the information they need on the internet. We as librarian in schools and public libraries are going to have to help educate young adult on how to properly do research and not just use google. For example if a child has a research project, the school librarian should let the children know that they can also get help at the public library. The third factor is very obvious of course they will use their school library more, it is located in one central building that they are in all day. They may not be able to go to the public library because they do not have a way to get there. I do agree with Lydia that libraians are changing, and for the better. The MLS studnets are tech savy and have better access to different selection tools. The problem I have with this study is it does not reflect all children, there are a ton of children out there that enjoy reading and come to the library. I know if I was a young adult I would not come to our public library, because our supervisors are so rude to the teenagers and always think they are up to something. I really think the atmosphere in a public library is the reason why more Young adults do not come to the library. Also, our workers are constantly putting down the goth teenagers that come in the library. Who cares what they are wearing as long as it covers everything, and is deccent. They are coming in to check out books usually fanasty so why be rude acting towards them. A public library is a two way street, you can't complain about not having YA in the library, if you treat them terrible. Also I have dealt with more adults that do not bring materials back on time or lose the books, than I have young adults. The young adults I work with bring their books back, because they want to be able to check out more. I am happy that libraians are changing for the better. |
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Posted by
mcmullanea
on 2008-04-13 22:54:39 |
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The above post was mine Dr. Truett
Elizabeth |
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Posted by
SamLand
on 2008-04-22 17:18:11 |
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| For me personally, there was a big gap in library visitation (both school and public) during my teen years. I am not sure if much has changed over the years - I don't think many teens see the need to visit a public library. The reasons being (1) their school library is more practical and convenient, (2) why go to a library when you can hang out with friends? Perhaps with a new / fresh generation of librarians entering the work force, there will be more creative thinking on how to draw teen patrons into the public libraries. ~ Samantha |
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Posted by
jmharrington5140
on 2008-04-24 23:12:27 |
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| i can see how the convenience of the internet keeps students at home, but the saddest result was the one 'i dont liek to read.' it says that educators and libraries, with a healthy dose of parents, have not done a good enough job promoting all of the benefits of a library. if they see it as only a place to read books it is our job to expose them to all of the library's functions. also, i would agree with many here that the school library is jsut too convenient, and teachers give them time in school to use it for many projects. i am wondering how many kids are simply unable, because of their parents (unwilling or unable to make the time), to visit a public library. the dislike for returning materials is interesting-it would seem to imply that library visits, even for those who go, are not regular occurences. i wonder how libraries can combat this laziness? any rewards for early return would jsut ask for abuse of the system, and any changes to the system might cost money. interesting question... |
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Posted by
jmharrington5140
on 2008-04-24 23:13:02 |
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| the above was posted by john harrington, lib 5140 |
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Posted by
jillmann1
on 2008-04-25 20:59:25 |
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| I can see why young adults would prefer to use the internet. Most young adults have not been taught how to get the most out of the library. The convenience of the internet is so much easier than traveling to the library. Some parents would not take their children anyway. The parents had other things to do. When I was in college, my professors made us have sources other than the internet. You were limited to the amount of resources you could use from the internet. 26.4% said they did not feel welcome at the library. I can see why. When I was growing up, the nice librarians worked in the childrens books downstairs, and the scary librarians worked upstairs where you had to do your research. This was my library, and I hope it is not that way at all libraries. Here are the problems, but what do we do about them? |
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Posted by
lymek
on 2008-04-27 13:20:27 |
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I agree with Jill. Children (and adults for that matter) have to learn how to get the most out of the public library. Also, it's a lot easier and less embarassing to ask Google a question than a an actual...gasp...HUMAN LIBRARIAN! I can understand this inclination. I get insecure (as a full-fledged adult) asking librarians question today. Ridiculous? Yes. But true nonetheless. I will consider making the library more approachable and "user friendly" a huge part of my job as a future librarian. There is also the huge issue of parental participation. I was fortunate enough to live walking distance from my public library, but not all children are. If they aren't given a ride to the library then they cant' go to the library. Plain and simple. Hopefully the child's school library is fulfilling a lot of needs, and thankfully, they are allowed virtually unlimited access to that.
Lyme Kedic |
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Posted by
AmyGalloway
on 2008-04-27 15:53:10 |
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| I do see some teens in the public library in my community, though they are rarely browsing the shelves. I usually see them using the computers to do school research or surf the Internet. I agree with Charles' comment that they already have library access at their schools, so traveling to the county library is not always convenient. For teens, the library is not a cool gathering place because you must be quiet and orderly. They would rather hang out at the skate park or a fast-food place where they can talk and laugh. I know at my school the librarian is trying to bridge the gap between school and public library access by having the bookmobile visit our school every other week. This gets kids (middle school) to see what the library has to offer and will hopefully encourage them to visit during the summer. At first, business was slow, but now kids are starting to look forward to the Bookmobile visits. They especially like getting more "adult" books like the Stephen King novels...books that we do not purchase for the middle school library. I don't think teens purposely avoid the library, there are just other places they want to be... |
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Posted by
vanessalail
on 2008-04-28 10:25:43 |
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| When I was a teenager the library was sort of a haven for me. My friends and I read a lot but we did go to the library to use the computer a lot as well. I think one of the biggest reasons we went there was really the fact that the librarian was so nice and so accepting. In Elizabeth's post she mentioned that some of the adults working in her library were not very tolerant of some types of kids and I can see where that would be a problem. If the library is seen as yet another place where adults are going to set harsh limits it will be hard to draw teens in. The fact that they are checking books out at school is probably also very accurate. When I think about the amount of reading my students are already doing with required school assignments it would be easy to imagine that they would not have time to read any more. I think one big factor limiting YA usage in my community is that there is no true YA section. Everything is crammed into the children's section. You see a very distinct adult and young children's section in the library, but even though the YA books are there you would never identify a certain spot geared toward teens. |
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Posted by
jaynesen
on 2008-04-28 17:03:42 |
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I found that the reasons listed in this article were understandable and not uncommon among teens. I feel that students have so many other obstacles and activities going on outside of school during their teen years that they randomly visit the public library unless persuade by a parent or teacher. The convenience of the school library allows students to access this material easier than taking an extra trip to the library. Recently I was visiting my local public library. A parent was at the reference desk asking for books for her daughter on a time period in history. When the reference desk librarian asked more specific questions on the topic the parent had to then call the daughter on the phone. Why did the teen not just come in herself? Why force the mother to do it? Is it because the teen feels threatened by the library or librarians? Often times I feel that socio-economic reasons fall into play here. If a parent never felt comfortable in a public library did not use it as a child or adult then neither will their children. If the parent does not place value in the library neither will the child. So overall I am not surprised by the findings... the next article should be about ways to help teens overcome these fears and get them back into the public library.
--- Nikki Jaynes |
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Posted by
tjsmith
on 2008-04-28 23:58:15 |
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...So I'm going to try this again, since I wrote up my first response and there was a site error and I lost it all. Frustrating.
I think this article raised some important points and highlighted common trends in teen library use, but I was a bit irritated by the authors' presentation of the material. They seemed to fluctuate as to whether or not internet access was a valid factor in teens' nonuse, and they seemed to restate established facts several times throughout the paper. Once they began the factor analysis, however, the paper seemed more useful to future librarians. I can see how the easy access of a school media center would be a factor for some teens, but when I was in high school, our school library was MUCH more unfriendly and unapproachable than the public library. I think that public libraries present a lot of services that aren't practical in a school media center, and I think that a public library's use should be stressed in teaching students study and research skills. I also agree with John's comment regarding teens' dislike of reading--this is very depressing, but our libraries are more than just rooms full of books, now. True, the ultimate goal may be literacy education and providing information to the public, but perhaps an increased awareness in other programs and services offered by the library could eventually foster a love for reading in teens (and adults, too). The article raises these points and comes to the conclusion that dislike of reading is an important factor, yet the authors never provide possible solutions to this problem, and as their research "is not designed" to investigate matters further, it leaves a fairly large gap. Perhaps they should write more articles that address this subject, like Nikki said. |
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Posted by
tjsmith
on 2008-04-29 00:01:25 |
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...agh, and I forgot my name too.
-Tara Smith |
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Posted by
kinge
on 2008-04-29 10:12:45 |
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| The various reasons young people do not use the public library are stated clearly in the case study. A need has to be created in that direction for them to gain interest in the idea of spending time there. At this time they are drawn to the electronic social highway...this is the place to be. Why? Because it offers consolation for the stage of life in which they are at. Their chemical brain production propels itself to this kind of social, risk taking, collective. What to do? Bring in the electric highway and set up displays with the latest fiction novels that are hitting the market. There are a lot of new attractive books out there. To everyone's benefit, check out the Charlotte Public Library liaison for young people. It can be done! -Eric King |
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Posted by
melodiegriffin
on 2008-04-29 13:18:50 |
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| Before I read this article, I thought about the question at hand and formed the opinion that teens' lack of public library use would have something to do with convenience. Today's teenagers have a lot going on. Some are involved in after school activities. Some work. Some take care of siblings. If the public library hasn't always been a part of their lives, what makes us think they'll add one more thing to do to their list? Which I think raises an issue beyond what was discussed in the article. What is library usage like in their families? I would be interested to see a study similar to this that looked at users and non-users and whether or not they went to the library as children and whether or not their parents or caretakers use the library. With all that's out there to involve or distract teens these days, I think that if the library isn't already a part of their lives (through parental influence), teens are more likely to use the school library or the internet. No one likes to enter the unfamilar. So what do libraries do? I think there needs to be a continued focus on involving the entire family in coming to the library. Then there need to be services provided for children of all ages. Several have been mentioned in other people's comments. But I think we have to look at the bigger picture. If we want teens to be active the the library, we have to get famiies active. |
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Posted by
libfender
on 2008-04-29 18:19:37 |
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Prior to reading this article, I never really thought about why today's youth don't go to the library. I have to agree that all the reasons are valid ones. If kids don't have internet at home then they are likely to use it at a friend's house or the library. Other than that, why would they go to the library? Most of the books they want are available in their school library, a place that is easily accessible by themselves, not to mention that there aren't late fees. I encountered a hateful librarian at my home library. For that reason and because the selection stinks, I paid to use the Buncombe County libraries.
-Sherry Fender |
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Posted by
KLW70
on 2008-04-29 19:03:27 |
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I guess I can acknowledge that there are some reasonable points in this article about why youth don't use the public library, but I think a lot of it has to do with the attempts to market to them... or actually, the lack of attempts. Libraries seem to be geared more towards either an older or younger audience. Teens these days want to be individuals and want to be acknowledged for who and what they are and not lumped in as kids OR adults. While I agree that teens do tend to look to the internet rather than turn to libraries for research purposes, that doesn't mean that there aren't other ways to draw them in and hopefully, to keep them there. From the reasons listed, I think the most important ones to note were "I don't feel welcome at public library", "librarians are not friendly", I've never used public library", and, of course "I don't like to read." To me, all of those are things that speak to the very foundation of what libraries are, and not just as concerns the youth population. If you address all of those, it seems you might have more reasons to bring in the youth as well as increasing circulation in general.
----Kate Whyte |
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Posted by
csnow
on 2008-04-30 16:35:51 |
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This survey is interesting and results somewhat surprising... especially since so many students said they prefer to use the internet, but the results showed no statistical support for the availability of internet access at home being related to their decision to visit the public library. I agree with Kate's comments abouve about the answers of "I don't feel welcome at public library", "librarians are not friendly", I've never used public library"... being more concerning. It also bothers me that part of the article mentioned the idea that maybe the school library media center is really incompetition with public libraries. I would hope that articles like this would lead to better education of librarians at school media centers as well as public libraries to increase cooperation, training sessions for new users, and support for students who actually come to use either facility.
-Christine Snow |
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