Teen Conference

Keynote Info

This Ain’t Your Mama’s Library! Creating a New Generation of Library Services for a New Generation of Library Users

Presented by Michele Gorman

In order to best serve teens, all library staff needs a foundation of information upon which to build successful interactions and relationships with young adults. In this two-hour presentation, Michele will begin laying this foundation by challenging stereotypes, addressing assumptions, and helping attendees learn more about why serving teens in the library is so important. She will cover the connections between youth development and library services, adolescent brain research and how this information applies to serving young adults in libraries, and developing ideas for successful interactions with teens. Topics that will be covered include the Stages/Milestones of Adolescence, the Developmental Needs of Teens, the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets, and Adolescent Brain Research.

Michele Gorman Bio

Michele Gorman is the Teen Services Coordinator for the Public Library of Charlotte & Mecklenburg County in Charlotte NC. In addition to her job as the Teen Services Coordinator, Michele is on the YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) Board of Directors, a freelance writer and renowned national speaker, certified by YALSA as a “Serving the Underserved” Trainer. She is a “Teenage Riot” columnist for School Library Journal and the “Getting Graphic” Columnist for Library Media Connection. Michele’s books include Getting Graphic! Comics for Kids, Getting Graphic! Using Graphic Novels to Promote Literacy with Preteens and Teens, and Connecting Young Adults and Libraries: A How to Do It Manual, 3rd Edition. She is currently writing the 4th edition of Connecting Young Adults and Libraries, which is scheduled for publication in June 2009.