Connecting Young Adults and Libraries: A How to Do It Manual for Librarians (3rd ed.)

Citation

Hulett, H. (2005), "Connecting Young Adults and Libraries: A How to Do It Manual for Librarians (3rd ed.)", Library Management, Vol. 26 No. 8/9, pp. 543-544. https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120510631927

This text is 438 pages and covers 12 chapters in a practical way explaining how to go about servicing young adults in both the school and public library settings in the USA. There are stories of successful practices available to librarians, as well as models, programs, “to do” lists, books to read, ideas and incentives to librarians servicing young adult clients. This is the third edition of a successful book. This edition in particular features technology's impact on young adult clients and their information literacy needs. The author is a librarian and speaker who frequently exchanges ideas with others involved in library youth services in the USA. This is a suitable teacher‐reference or resource for public and school librarians to assist changes to service levels, the development of appropriate information literacy skills, adapting collections appropriately, and initiating services and programs to meet the diverse needs of young adults. There is a separate core document section for reprinting purposes, and a bibliography of literature related to young adults: which could be of assistance. Structurally the text is user‐friendly, easy to read and has boxes to stress important points. The text is American but many of the practical suggestions and ways of thinking about how adolescents act still apply. The most important element is that it does give practical ways of how to start making changes. The author does point out that nothing is foolproof, but the text is a good support to encourage librarians to focus on changing service levels where there are perceived problems.

The text specifically addresses: how to begin; current trends; information literacy needs of youth; surveys of reading habits and analyses gender differences; readers of all levels even reluctant ones; promotional tools: such as book clubs; book discussion groups; scavenger hunts; coffeehouses; after school programs; and the importance of making partnerships with the community. Capitalizing on new technology is seen as the key to linking information literacy skills and connecting young adults to libraries as young people are considered “techno savy”.

Overall a comprehensive text, well‐written, offering plenty of assistance and practical support to librarians in how to connect young adults with libraries.