The Library Squad: Tweens in the Public Library
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5399/osu/1093-7374.25.04.04Keywords:
Oregon, library, association, Oregon libraries, academic library, libraries, librarians, northwest, information science, information literacy, social media, writing, library trends, books, donors, library funding, Oregon library association, quarterly, Oregon library association quarterly, American library association, ala, ola, reading, library success, success, evolving roles, OSU, Oregon state, University, web services, public, new discipline, changes in libraries, career, careers, library careers, library career, professional journal, scholarly, academic, circulation, Portland, innovative, inventive, solution, oregon librarians, librarian, political, politics, political action, civics, civic education, inspiring, engagement, role, participation, skills, create, creating, resources, develop, source, evaluate, evaluation, evaluating, youth, services, storytelling, children, teens, practice, philosophy, diverse, kids, storytime, story time, Alec Chunn, Eugene, Rainbow, round table, Medal on my Mind, Stonewall, tween, developmentally, middle, childhood, plateau, place, space, programming, participatory, patron, interest, zine, club, pop culture, joy, sewing, crafts, minecraft, unlock the box, escape room, dungeons & dragons, play, fanfiction, squadAbstract
Though tween services in libraries are far from new, there is surprisingly very little written about them. Unlike early literacy, which is undoubtedly the most common priority amongst librarians serving youth, tween services might seem like the newest passing trend. Some libraries have dedicated tween librarians who not only offer tween-specific programs but curate tween collections. Other libraries offer combination tween and teen programs. At the downtown Eugene Public Library, tween programs fall under the umbrella of school-age programming for youth ages six to twelve. Trend or not, youth services staff have excitedly begun to delve more deeply into this often forgotten stage.