[LM_NET] Vent: Teen programs in public libraries

[Dawn Sardes <yayagoddess@SBCGLOBAL.NET>]

I am feeling very disheartened.

Last fall, I began an after school program called Teens Chill.  Each Thursday, for 
2:30 (dismissal time for the high school next door) to 7, I opened a meeting room 
for X-box games, board games, and anime dvd's.

I had about 30 kids a week showing up--most for the x-box.

OK, the "powers that be" said, too noisy, too disruptive, that space is needed, 
community room space is a commodity & that this was not a worthwhile program.  
Also, it took me out of the teen area of the library for too long and left it 
unmonitored.

Truth be told, I hated the program.  I went home with a splitting headache after 
it.  But, if it was about the numbers, I would have kept doing it, to bring in the 
numbers. But I was told to end it, and I did.

I replaced that program with a 2:30 to 4:30 anime club.  I have 6 kids coming 
consistently and sometimes a few more.

So, today I was told that my "numbers have dropped."  Well, that tends to happen if 
you replace a program that drew 30 kids a week with one that draws 6.  Maybe not 
though.  I wasn't a math major, but it seems like a drop in monthly totals would 
result from that.

Personally, I think  6 kids for a weekly teen program is an AWESOME turnout.

It looks like I am expected to come up with teen programs that draw 30 kids a week, 
that has them doing something quiet, uses no space, and keeps me available for 
doing telephone reference and homework help on the floor.  

I don't know what to do.  Cloning is illegal.  Rod Serling is dead, so having 
programs in the Twilight Zone is out. I just don't know what to do anymore.




DawnMarie Sardes
Teen Services Librarian
Eclid Public Library
yayagoddess@sbcglobal.net.omit.this
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