The uses of YA literature and its core collection place in libraries today'

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The uses of YA literature and its core collection
place in libraries today.

• Betty Marcoux
• LIS 566
• Fall Quarter 2004

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What is a core collection?

• Those resources that you cannot be without.
• Those resources most utilized by your audience.
• Those resources that best supply quality
  information to your audience.

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What do YAs want in terms of literature and the
library?

• Readers Advisory
• Current topics and titles
• Formal learning support
• Information literacy
• Respect
• Approachable
• Helpful
• Open-minded
• Sense of humor
• Resources
• Contribute to life-long learning behaviors
• Accommodate wide range of developmental
  capacities
• Variety of learning styles, methods, interests

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Suggestions for uses of resources with YAs in a
library

• Programming
• Diversity of information
• Learning activities suited to YA developmental
  interests
• YA involvement with implementation of their
  ideas/plans

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Library outcomes for YAs

• Involve self in YA issues of information/adolescen
  t literacy concerns
• Seek allies to defend issues of equal access and
  intellectual freedom Position self as major YA
  player in the community
• Recognize value of YA development movement
• Seek funding for YA issues
• Be visible to YAs in community

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YA outcomes regarding the library

• More self confidence
• More sense of responsibility
• Commitment to library use
• Development of life-long learning habits
• Sense of belonging and contributing to a larger
  community than just themselves
• Be of service
• Develop habits of reading, writing, thinking that
  go beyond academia
• Safe haven
• Positive/healthy behavioral relationships
• Development of social skills

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Community outcomes for YAs

• Recognize value of including YAs in civic
  dialogue
• Involve YAs in all aspects of program planning,
  evaluation, implementation
• Add YAs to community work force
• Look for funding to support YA issues
• Use YAs as community volunteers
• Role model/develop positive images of YAs

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Issues most important to YA future (2002)

• Education
• Health
• Politics
• Crime
• Economics
• Environment/Overpopulation
• Social Security

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YA mortality issues

• Motor vehicle crashes leading cause of YA
  mortality.(http//www.yaerd.org/under21.htm)
• Older teens and young adults have the highest
  homicide victimization and offending rates
  (http//www.ojp.usdoj.gov/bjs/homicide/teens.htm)
  
• Suicide is third largest cause for YA mortality
  (http//www.cdc.gov/ncipc/factsheets/suifacts.htm)
  

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YA suicide stats

• The overall rate of suicide among youth has
  declined slowly since 1992 (Lubell, Swahn,
  Crosby, and Kegler 2004). However, rates remain
  unacceptably high. Adolescents and young adults
  often experience stress, confusion, and
  depression from situations occurring in their
  families, schools, and communities. Such feelings
  can overwhelm young people and lead them to
  consider suicide as a solution. Few schools and
  communities have suicide prevention plans that
  include screening, referral, and crisis
  intervention programs for youth.
• Suicide is the third leading cause of death among
  young people ages 15 to 24. In 2001, 3,971
  suicides were reported in this group (Anderson
  and Smith 2003).
• Of the total number of suicides among ages 15 to
  24 in 2001, 86 (n3,409) were male and 14
  (n562) were female (Anderson and Smith 2003).
• American Indian and Alaskan Natives have the
  highest rate of suicide in the 15 to 24 age group
  (CDC 2004).
• In 2001, firearms were used in 54 of youth
  suicides (Anderson and Smith 2003).

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What can you do to counter these stats?

• Be a positive role model
• Offer support
• Offer empowerment
• Set boundaries and expectations
• Dont waste their time
• Commit to their learning
• Employ positive social competencies
• Help them identify themselves positively

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Your YA strategic plan

• What is your mission?
• What is your vision for the YA population you
  work with?
• How can literature and YA resources work
  successfully with this population?
• Does your program/resources reflect the values
  most needed with YAs?

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Today's YA
Tomorrow's Voter