Teen Reference Interview They’re more afraid of us than we are of them.

You Good customer service Respect A smile Willingness to help Put teens at ease Like you would any patron. No one likes to ask for help.

Good customer service

Respect

A smile

Willingness to help

Put teens at ease

Like you would any patron. No one likes to ask for help.

Who is the Librarian? You are a Figure of Authority You are a stranger Not smiling = mean

You are a Figure of Authority

You are a stranger

Not smiling = mean

In the Teen’s Head Should I talk to the Librarian? Is she going to be annoyed? Is my question stupid? What should I ask? It’s due tomorrow! I could be playing Halo 2 right now. This is a stupid assignment. I’m going home. I’ll Google.

Should I talk to the Librarian?

Is she going to be annoyed?

Is my question stupid?

What should I ask?

It’s due tomorrow!

I could be playing Halo 2 right now.

This is a stupid assignment.

I’m going home. I’ll Google.

Teens and their Brains The brain experiences another growth spurt Decision-making is impulsive and instinctive Don’t expect teens to behave like adults

The brain experiences another growth spurt

Decision-making is impulsive and instinctive

Don’t expect teens to behave like adults

A Note about Parents Look at the teen. Talk to the teen. Walk with the teen “ Be one with the teen”

Look at the teen.

Talk to the teen.

Walk with the teen

“ Be one with the teen”

Question 1 Teen Q:“Where are the biographies?” Librarian A: “Everywhere!” Librarian Q: “What are you interested in?” Teen A: “I don’t know” or “Nothing” Now what?

Teen Q:“Where are the biographies?”

Librarian A: “Everywhere!”

Librarian Q: “What are you interested in?”

Teen A: “I don’t know” or “Nothing”

Now what?

Question 2 What does “I need information about the Middle Ages” really mean? Is this a school assignment? Does the teen have a copy of the assignment with her? If not, ask more specific questions. What resources does the teen need? No money for the copy machine

What does “I need information about the Middle Ages” really mean?

Is this a school assignment? Does the teen have a copy of the assignment with her?

If not, ask more specific questions.

What resources does the teen need?

No money for the copy machine

Resources Databases as PRINT Teachers do not understand the concept of databases. Teens do not understand the concept of databases Do we?

Databases as PRINT

Teachers do not understand the concept of databases.

Teens do not understand the concept of databases

Do we?

Resources Finding the Right Book: Whatever is available in the building! Try for paperback Consider the length of the book No time for transfers or ILL. Children’s nonfiction

Finding the Right Book:

Whatever is available in the building!

Try for paperback

Consider the length of the book

No time for transfers or ILL.

Children’s nonfiction

Group Think A comfort issue Rapid-fire questions Multitasking is in their blood

A comfort issue

Rapid-fire questions

Multitasking is in their blood

Following Up “Come back if this doesn’t help.” Track them down. Invite them back to the library. Smile

“Come back if this doesn’t help.”

Track them down.

Invite them back to the library.

Smile

Resources: Homework Help Citation Machine = BFF Cliffsnotes Online Ask Colorado Live Homework Help

Citation Machine = BFF

Cliffsnotes Online

Ask Colorado Live Homework Help

Resources: Databases Biography Resource Center Facts on File Opposing Viewpoints Literature Resource Center Novelist

Biography Resource Center

Facts on File

Opposing Viewpoints

Literature Resource Center

Novelist

Resources: Reference Teen Genreflecting 016.813 H531T What Do Young Adults Read Next 016.813008 S745W Career Discovery Encyclopedia 331.708 C2715

Teen Genreflecting

016.813 H531T

What Do Young Adults Read Next

016.813008 S745W

Career Discovery Encyclopedia

331.708 C2715

Resources: Reference Greenwood Encyclopedia of Daily Life 390. G816 Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia 591. G895 American Decades 973.92 A5124

Greenwood Encyclopedia of Daily Life

390. G816

Grzimek’s Animal Life Encyclopedia

591. G895

American Decades

973.92 A5124