Book Syrup

The day was winding down, and I was doing one last check on the library’s social media before I started to set up for an outside teen program. A notification popped up saying that our library had been tagged by Placer County Public Library. When I investigated further, I discovered that we had been challenged to #GiantAnimalsOnLibraries. How could I say no to connecting with other libraries while also having a great deal of fun and creating great social media content? I could not. While I did not have the time to whip out Photoshop, I realized it could be a fantastic team building and creativity exercise to involve a library assistant who spends her free time creating amazing collage artwork. Other staff became involved in trying to find just the right images to use, and a great time was had by all. As Stephens (2019) stated, “Perhaps LIS grads should focus on what it means to work in a performative/learning/inspiration/meeting space, one steeped in community interaction, technological skill sets, and managing group interactions” (p. 62). #GiantAnimalsOnLibraries was exactly that.

As we reassess how public libraries can best address the needs of their communities in a post-COVID world, many of the recommendations remind me of the requirements of being a good teen librarian—or social media manager for that matter. Spontaneity, flexibility, an openness to relinquishing control—these are aspects that are needed in these realms in order to thrive. All of my successful teen programs stem from requests teens have made, rather than me trying to create something that I think teens will be interested in. When I go a step further and give teens control of running the programs and developing them in ways that they want, the popularity knows no bounds—just like including other libraries in a #GiantAnimalsOnLibraries challenge. 

Cowell (2021) suggested something similar to teens running programs with her recommendation of library takeovers, partnering with influential groups from a target audience. Social media takeovers have been a staple of teen interaction on library Instagram for years, and it is exciting to see this idea broadening to physical aspects as well. Cowell (2021) discussed how these partnerships can also ensure that we are reaching underserved communities, something that the pandemic has brought into sharp focus. Teens have historically been an underserved community, and I am grateful that creating a safe space for ideas and creativity is such a huge aspect of the concepts behind a hyperlinked public library. I can attest to the success of Cowell’s (2021) library takeover model and can easily see it being part of the progression of the public libraries of the future.

References

Cowell, J. (2021, August 30). The future of libraries in a post Covid World. Medium. https://janecowell8.medium.com/the-future-of-libraries-in-a-post-covid-world-662f5acb1875

Stephens, M. (2019). Whole-hearted librarianship: Finding hope, inspiration, and balance. ALA Editions.