TAGS

I need a dictionary for the different ALA acronyms and one is actually provided at the beginning of the conference catalogue. It takes time to find them in the book, so you probably have noticed that I haven't included which group is hosting which program. I haven't listed speakers, but they can be found in the conference booklet for anyone who is interested.

Not an ALA acronym, but one nonetheless: TAGS = Teen Advisory Groups

I attended the program Beyond Pizza: Teen Advisory Groups as Library Leadership. It was presented by staff of three library systems who have TAGS, as well as a teen member of one of the TAGS.

Here are the combined highlights:

1. Membership of the various TAGS numbered between 7 and 13 and all the Library's did take waiting lists if necessary. One Librarian had approximately 30 teens interested in joining her TAG, so she broke them up into groups i.e: spaces, collections, programming, gaming, anime, etc., so that no one was refused. The groups meet together as a whole every so often.

2. Roles played by TAGs ranged from consultative to collaborative. One Librarian said she plays mostly a "shadow role" and that the teens plan everything including how they will spend their own assigned budgets.

3. Most meet once a month in the evening (e.g.: the first Tuesday of every month), but will meet more often if special events are planned.

4. Recruitment: one Librarian only takes recommendations from other Librarians, teachers,community agencies. The other TAGS are open to any teens and much recruitment is done during Teen Read Week.

5. All have a President who is elected by their peers. President remains in place for one year.

6. Ages in the TAGS include (although no age is refused): Grades 6 to 10; Ages 13 to 18 years. One group is considering having two TAGS: one for teens and one for tweens.

7. Meetings are informal with no strict agenda; one library has each member take a turn in leading a meeting.

Cool Stuff:

So that everyone has a chance to talk, the teens in one library use a talking stick idea, except they substitute the stick with another object: "talking shoelace", "talking water glass", etc.

One TAG decides on a BHAB every year: "Big Hairy Audacious Goal".

One TAG decided to have an open debate program on the good/bad characteristics of the main male character in Twilight. One TAG held an Audrey Hepburn Tea Party.

One TAG named their teen space "Geek Out" for the computer area, and other areas entitled "Mess Around" and "Hang-Out".