The Tweens are Alright Tween Programs in Teams

The Tweens are Alright: Tween Programs in Teams Presented by Matt Kirschner Tween Librarian South Brunswick Public Library 732 -329 -4000 x. 7285 mattkirschner@sbpl. info Follow me @mattkirschner

Introduction. . . or, "Allow myself to introduce. . . myself. " 1. Write down your definition of "tween". 1. "Storytimes", teen programs. . . & everything in between? 1. Hired at SBPL as a "Tween Librarian". 1. Primary purpose: Bring in the "middle to upper elementary kids" 2. Job description: As read above, storytime & "other duties as assigned".

The Gap . . . or, "What's to be done with these ragamuffins? " 1. Serious gap in programming for kids in 4 th-7 th grade. 1. "Tweens" 1. Important to retain these kids through late elementary school & middle school. 1. "Living in Idaho" (an analogy� ) 1. Hired specifically for the purpose of drawing these 4 th-7 th grade patrons in.

The Tween Collection. . . or, "Setting the Stage" 1. "Juvenile Fiction" 1. Requesting a "Tween" item category from LMx. AC 1. Not necessary, but helpful for statistics 1. Defining a "tween book"��� 1. A prevailing trend/obstacle 2. Journals, Graded lists, & own knowledge 1. Sort, sticker, catalog, rinse, repeat 1. Upkeep

Programming: Chess Club. . . or, "Am I smarter than a fourth grader? " 1. Learned quickly: Tweens love to compete. 1. Chess Club initially our only program for 3 rd grade & up. 1. Very successful, well attended. Especially for tween boys. 1. Problems: 1. Very narrow range of programming. 2. Tween boys severely over-represented. 3. Tween girls under-represented.

Boys Club & Girls Club. . . or, "Get Them Here. . . Do Something Different" 1. Fixing the representation problem by offering two separate groups. 1. What should I do? 1. ANYTHING! 2. Cater to their interests 3. Games, Wii, movies, popular series. . . just invite them. 1. Creating an informal advisory council 1. Like YAC, but less organized. 1. Statistics

Summertime . . . or, "Get Them Together. . . Do Anything" 1. Grouping them together out of necessity. 1. Busy summer desk. . . ever have that problem? 1. Get them interacting more before middle school & beyond. 1. Most of these early programs looked like a middle school dance. . . that's normal. 1. Format 1. Girls wanted "Boys vs. Girls" than boys did! 1. Finding the right balance

Team Play . . . or, "Building Skills Together" 1. During summer programs, certain tasks required tweens to work as part of a team. 1. Awful Tower 2. Scrambled States of America 3. Team Scavenger Hunt 1. Gives the developing tweens opportunity outside the classroom to. . . 1. . develop leadership (and teamwork) skills. 2. . develop listening skills. 3. . develop teaching skills. 4. . develop problem-solving skills. 5. . develop peer mediation skills.

Anything You Can Do. . . or, "Keeping it Simple" 1. Examples: 1. Popular book programs 1. Percy Jackson, Wimpy Kid, Harry Potter 2. "Minute to Win It" games 3. Scavenger hunts 1. "Extreme Closeup" 4. "Threading the Needle" 5. Super Stacks 6. Wii games 7. Board/card games 8. Origami

Defining "Tween" . . . or, "Fine Lines & How to Walk All Over Them" 1. Your definition(s) 1. Discussions with administration followed to determine which children we’re actually aiming our services toward. 1. Trying not to overreach. 1. Taking on more than you can chew. 2. Stepping on toes of other departments. 1. Reasons for settling on 4 th-7 th grade.

Branding Team Tween. . . or, "Tween Tuesdays" 1. Need an identifiable name/night to go with tween programs. 1. Their idea: Team Tween Tuesdays 1. My reaction: "EVERY Tuesday? !" 1. The solution: Team Tween Silver Screen 1. Helps during off weeks for programming. 2. Little planning/set-up required. 3. Still draws the kids into the library. 4. Can do anything: take-home crafts, after school club, open game night.

Summertime, Revisited . . . or, "Stomping on Fine Lines, Part Two" 1. Tween Summer Reading Program 1. Offers older kids opportunity for bigger prizes. 2. Using donated books (in good condition) as prizes. 3. Helps promote Team Tween programs. 1. Redefining "tween" 1. Team Tween programs are 4 th-7 th grade. 2. Problem with 6 th & 7 th graders. 3. YA summer reading & statistics. 1. Solution & Statistics

The Remaining Gap . . . or, "What's the Deal With 3 rd Graders? " 1. 3 rd grade less represented than older & younger kids. 1. "Middle elementary". . . too old for storytime, but not as comfortable w/ upper elementary group yet. 1. Gap of one grade/year is better than gap of five years before. But how to get everyone? 1. Bringing them back: 1. Chess 2. Art Discovery/Workshop 3. Lego Club 4. Family Craft Night 5. Special Programs

Making Team Tween Work For You. . . literally 1. Volunteer opportunities in the library 1. Ideas: 1. "Team Tween Goes Green" (recycling) 2. Creating a "Tween Garden" 3. Decorating a "Tween Lounge" 1. Coordinating with YA services and leading kids into teen programs, YAC, etc. 1. Introducing growing tweens to teen programs/services.

The End. . or, "The Slide Without a Catchy Subtitle" South Brunswick Public Library: http: //www. sbpl. info 732 -329 -4000 x. 7285 email: mattkirschner@sbpl. info Twitter: Follow @mattkirschner Questions?