To me, the driving force behind teen and youth services is to not only be what your “kids” want in the moment, but always remember what you needed when you were their age.
- You remember what it was like at their age so you can relate and empathise
- You know that what tweens and teens want aren’t always what they need
- You have the experience to know the difference between a “want” and a “need”, which is a murky distinction for them
- You can bridge the library world to make sure the library meets their needs and most of their wants
So remember who you needed at their age, keep in mind their circumstances, and be that person.
