Week 10 Post

Disclaimer: I know that this post is late. Life gets really "lifey" sometimes.

Seldom do I feel that I have a topic that is worthy of all aspects of one of the sets of professional standards that we as librarians hold ourselves to, but this one does. You'll remember that in a previous postI spoke about somebehavior issues we were experiencing in the YA department. We'll, changes were implemented and implemented swiftly! Furniture has been rearranged, the available hours for the Nintendo Switch have been lessened, study rooms have been set aside, the high school deans are dropping by regularly (we're just across the street, after all), and the threshold at which someone is asked to department for the day has been lowered. 

I feel that these steps fulfill all aspects as outlined by YALSA.

Accountability: We were accountable for our part in maintaining a positive public space and we keep the teenage patrons accountable.
Collaboration: In working across teams and with the high school we have been able to create a more welcoming environment for a broader group of patrons.
Compassion: Byxhowing compassion both to the teens that needed to be in the space after school and other patrons who wa ted to used the space as well, a mutually beneficial plan was enacted.
Excellence: We now are able to serve a broader selection of teen patrons, which is absolutely excellent!
Inclusion: The YA space is able to be shared for quiet study and by those who merely need a place to land after school. It is a much more inclusive space now.
Innovation: By making changes we were able to see new possibilities for our space and our patrons.
Integrity: As theYA space sits near the little kid and mid kid areas, to have a more controlled environment with less risk of exposure to inappropriate content ishugely important.
Professional Duty: this matter certainly falls into the arena of "teen issue and library trend"
Social Responsibility:  We have a responsibility to all of our patrons, not just the teens who are acting up. By addressing the issue and making changes we are fulfilling that responsibility. 




https://www.ala.org/yalsa/core-professional-values-teen-services-profession

Comments

  1. GabrielNovember 15, 2024 at 9:43 AM

    This is a great learning opportunity and your use of YALSA is exemplary. It's essential to see how the truly noble aims of the profession come up against some harsh realities.

    ReplyDelete

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