Tips

Is there a group that hangs out at the library? Do you have a rapport with them? What community activities do the teens participate in--sports, band, church, and so forth? Do they have time for another activity? Has there been a survey of the teens in the community at large or of the teens who use the library? What services does the library offer teens?

Teen Advisory Group demographics may be very different depending on whether you are selective about members or send out open invitations. How inclusive do you want the TAG to be? Do you want only mature, serious teens? Or younger, less mature ones? A mixture? Do you want members to represent the ethnic, racial, and economic make-up of your community? Do you want to be the final arbiter of who is accepted, or leave it up to the teens to vote?

When recruiting members, use these possible sources for contacts: YA summer reading club name lists, honor society, Boy/Girl Scouts, library "regulars," library pages or teen volunteers, teachers, media specialists, and home school associations.

Throw out all of your preconceived notions about teens, if you still have any. Realize that running a TAG will not be a time saver.

Tiny, perhaps minuscule. Build relationships and rapport before tackling larger projects.

Each group will have an energy of its own depending on the mix of teens and the librarian's style. At the first meeting consider an icebreaker exercise, have teens fill out membership applications, and do a brainstorming session on project ideas.

With group input, set up fair rules to provide structure. Give feedback, guidance, and direction to keep them on task. Consider using a talking stick. Encourage attendance by keeping track of absences. Phone or e-mail members with meeting reminders. Think about electing officers. Prepare an agenda for each meeting, or designate a teen secretary to do so.

Before and after the formal meeting, provide snacks and time for socializing.

Every so often, show them how much you appreciate their volunteer work. Ideas: pizza, group T-shirts, field trips, first in line for new books they suggest to order, framed group photo, overnight at the library, recognition at annual library volunteer function, celebrating birthdays.

How can the group keep going? Will it be self-sustaining or is there a need to recruit new members annually? Will it meet over the summer? Review the TAG's progress periodically.

Laugh often (but not too loud).