You can ensure that your school library is a place where teens feel seen, heard, and inspired.
Growing Teen Engagement is your essential resource for transforming your secondary school library into a thriving, learner-centered community. Whether you’re looking to inspire creativity, encourage teamwork, or build emotional resilience, this book gives you the tools to create a school library that supports the full spectrum of teen development. Inside, you’ll discover
- the ways in which welcoming, magnetic, and engaging programming for teens can align developmental needs with the AASL Standards;
- actionable strategies in each chapter that demonstrate how to promote creativity, self-definition, positive social interaction, physical activity, and more;
- a myriad of ready-to-use collaborative lessons, passive and active programs, and community outreach ideas; and
- an adaptable programming calendar.
Learn actionable strategies to support the full spectrum of teen developmental needs. Transform your school library into a dynamic, teen-friendly space filled with energy, creativity, and connection.
Acknowledgments
Preface
Introduction: Contextualizing Developmental Needs in School Library Practice
Chapter 1: The Need for Creative Expression
Collaborative Lesson: Digital Collage with Content Areas
Passive Program: Pom-pom Flowers
Active Program: Blackout Poetry
Community Outreach: Tiny-Art Show for Animal Shelters
Chapter 2: The Need for Positive Social Interaction
Collaborative Lesson: LEGOs as an Engineering Medium
Passive Program: Poetry Walks
Active Program: Valentine Broken-Heart Cards
Community Outreach: Reading at an Assisted-Living Home
Chapter 3: The Need for Structure and Clear Limits
Collaborative Lesson: Lessons with World Language Classes
Passive Program: Window Painting
Active Program: Worry Dolls
Community Outreach: Joke Book for the Local Childrens Hospital
Chapter 4: The Need for Self-Definition
Collaborative Lesson: Investigating Careers with Content-Area Educators
Passive Program: Testing Prep Grab-and-Go
Active Program: Workshops for College Applications, Financial Aid, and Essay
Writing
Community Outreach: Career Speakers
Chapter 5: The Need for Physical Activity
Collaborative Lesson: Book-Tasting Musical Chairs
Passive Program: Hygiene Library
Active Program: Mini Golf in the School Library
Community Outreach: Community Trash Pickup
Chapter 6: The Need for Meaningful Participation
Collaborative Lesson: LoterÍa with the Spanish Honor Society
Passive Program: Butcher-Paper Questions
Active Program: DIY Dog Toys to Donate
Community Outreach: Bracelets for a Womens Shelter
Chapter 7: The Need for Competence and Achievement
Collaborative Lesson: Librarian in the Huddle
Passive Program: 3D Printing
Active Program: LED Circuits Paper Art
Community Outreach: Math and Science Tutoring for Elementary Learners
Appendix: Programming Calendar
Bibliography
Index
Jessica Fitzpatrick is a Houston-based educator with over a decade of teaching and library science experience. With a bachelor's in education from the University of Houston and a master's in library science from the University of North Texas, she's been recognized for her innovation. Awards include the 2022 Library Journal Mover & Shaker and the Texas Library Association (TLA) Media Virtual Presence Award. She has also received grants and awards from organizations such as AASL and YALSA, demonstrating her commitment to promoting literacy and programming. She enjoys reading and being with her family.
