Who are 'tweens' and what do they want? -- Why create a tween collection? -- What is tween literature? -- Beyond print materials -- Evaluating current collections -- Carving out space -- Controversy in tween literature -- Should you add nonfiction? -- Budgets -- Marketing your new collection -- Appendix 1. Selected titles fiction -- Appendix 2. Selected titles nonfiction -- Appendix 3. Case study Eton Academy -- Appendix 4. Case study Geneva Public Library -- Appendix 5. Case study Loutit District Library -- Appendix 6. Case study Novi Public Library.
Summary:
Specialized collections for tweens, or middle schoolers, are relatively new and becoming increasingly popular. This Practical Guide gives librarians everything they need to create such a collection. Beginning with a brief description of the early adolescent brain and developmental stages, and a history of youth and teen services in libraries, Creating a Tween Collection provides a solid foundation on which librarians can build support for such a collection. In addition, librarians will be given specific criteria for what constitutes "tween literature," guidelines for forming parameters that will work for their community, and suggestions for using reviews and other sources in selecting appropriate materials and dealing with controversial titles. Finally, readers will learn how to re-allocate spaces and budgets, and how to market their new collection to patrons. This is a must-read for librarians who are looking to build a middle school collection in order to better serve their patrons.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.