Connecting with Teens (for Real)

AFTER YOU ATTEND THIS COURSE, YOU'LL BE ABLE TO:

• Identify and work through age-based biases.
• Understand adolescent brain development.
• Advocate for teens in your library.
• Manage teen behavior challenges in a trauma-informed way.
• Try new methods and techniques to engage youth in library programs.
• Create and maintain a youth advisory board.
• Help youth identify mis- and disinformation.

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE

This course is for public youth/teen services librarians, school librarians (grades 8–12), and other stakeholders in youth/teen library programs and management.

THIS WILL BE A SELF-PACED, ASYNCHRONOUS ONLINE COURSE

EXPECTED TIME COMMITMENT

This course includes 5 modules, each designed to take approximately 4 hours to complete. You can move through the content at your own pace and on your own schedule. You’ll earn 20 hours of professional development credit and a Library Journal certificate of completion.

ON-DEMAND ACCESS

You’ll have access to all course materials for six months.

CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION

Complete the course and earn 20 professional development credit hours. We provide a certificate that will be emailed to you upon completion.

SUPPORT

For support with online courses, please contact course-support@libraryjournal.com .

THIS COURSE CONSISTS OF 5 ON-DEMAND MODULES:

Module 1: Identifying Age-Based Biases

What perceptions do we have of adolescence, and how do those perceptions impact how we treat young people? This module explores how to recognize and work through age-based biases in order to improve services with and for youth.

Module 2: Understanding and Managing Teen Behavior

What should youth services librarians know about adolescent brain development to improve teen advocacy and proactively prevent behavior challenges? This module examines advocacy for youth inside and outside the library, establishing clear boundaries and expectations, responding to behavior challenges in trauma-informed ways, and using restorative justice practices to encourage accountability and relationship building when harm occurs.

You’ll explore tangible strategies for understanding, advocating for, and mitigating challenges with youth, including how to respond during and after incidents, mentor young people effectively, and build meaningful relationships that support positive behavior.

Module 3: Teen Engagement and Outreach

How do you get young people involved in library programs and services? This module focuses on practical outreach and engagement strategies to reach teens where they are and encourage participation. You’ll learn how to build meaningful youth partnerships and involve young people directly in the design and development of programs through tools like focus groups, youth advisory boards, and other collaborative approaches.

Module 4: Teaching Information Literacy

How can you help students identify mis- and disinformation in a time when AI-generated content and deep fakes are increasingly convincing? This module examines the library’s role in vetting materials and supporting young people in understanding factual information. You’ll gain tools to evaluate information critically and teach youth essential information literacy skills.

Module 5: Innovative Teen Programs

In this module, you’ll explore ways to strengthen youth services through innovative programming. Hear from librarians about creative programs that have successfully engaged teens, including a civics ambassador program, manga programming, and a data zine camp.

Christi Showman Farrar, Library Consultant, Massachusetts Library System (MLS)

Library Consultant at the Massachusetts Library System (MLS).

Stephen Jackson, Founder, Global CommUnity Associates

Founder of Global CommUnity Associates, library advocate, and restorative practitioner and trainer.

Dr. Laurel Krapivkin, Adjunct Professor of Writing & Literature

Adjunct Professor of Writing and Literature.

Isaiah West, Teen Services Specialist, Prince George's County Memorial Library System (MD)

Teen Services Specialist with Prince George's County Memorial Library System (MD).

Donna Gray, Bronx Library Coordinator, NYC School Library System

Bronx Library Coordinator for the New York City School Library System.

Jane Gov, Senior Librarian, System-Wide Youth Services, Pasadena Public Library

Senior Librarian for System-Wide Youth Services at Pasadena Public Library and Branch Manager at Jefferson Branch Library.

Lisa Manganello, School Librarian, South Brunswick High School

School Librarian at South Brunswick High School.

Olisha James, Manager, Teen Ambassador Programs, The New York Public Library

Manager of Teen Ambassador Programs at The New York Public Library.

Jillian Rudes, School Librarian, New York City Department of Education

School Librarian with the New York City Department of Education and Executive Director of Manga in Libraries.

Tess Wilson, Deputy Director, Library Freedom Project

Deputy Director of the Library Freedom Project.

DISCOUNTED RATES ARE AVAILABLE FOR A LIMITED TIME ONLY

Secure your tickets now to lock in the best price.

GROUP RATES

We offer discounts for groups of 3 or more.

For larger groups of 15 or more, we offer the option to apply group rates across multiple courses to receive significant discounts. For more information, select Bulk Course Credits Packages in the form below.

Request Discounted Group Pricing

For support with group purchases, please contact groupsales@libraryjournal.com .