Working with at-risk teens, including those who are homeless, incarcerated, or in foster care, is a rewarding but often challenging endeavor, especially with a growing number of at-risk teens in both urban and rural areas of the country. Based on best practices and personal experiences from many leaders in the field today, including authors Angela Craig and Chantell L. McDowell, this book from YALSA shows how libraries and communities can work together to find new ways to serve this population. Packed with accessible and affordable programming ideas, ready-to-use templates, and techniques, this addition to the Teens @ the Library series
- Demonstrates why serving at-risk teens is important, and offers advice for gaining institutional support for outreach services
- Shows how to understand the needs of at-risk teens, including a discussion of the factors that place teens at risk
- Examines diversity within the at-risk population
- Suggests ways to partner with youth facilities, with real-world examples of working with non-library personnel and caregivers
- Provides guidance for collection and resource development
- Gives examples of technology-based programs to promote literacy and connectedness
Angela Craig
Angela Craig is originally from Texas and has worked with the at-risk population since 2005. She has patrons who range in age from birth to adult, but the teenagers are her favorites. Her library programs have taken her to the county jail, alternative schools, senior centers, day care centers, homeless shelters, public schools, and any area that needs library services. The youthful offenders of the county jail are some of her best patrons. She has published articles about her work with the at-risk population in Computers and Libraries and Young Adult Library Services (YALS). She presented at ALA’s annual conference in 2010 and 2012 regarding library services to underserved populations, such as homeless patrons and youth at risk. She will serve on YALSA’s Alex Awards Committee for 2013–2015. She received her bachelor’s degree in Recreation Administration from Texas State University in 2002 and her master’s degree in Library and Information Science in 2009 from the University of South Carolina. She has had many jobs within the public library, starting with circulation services, later joining the outreach department, and then becoming a Children’s Manager. Currently she is in the dual role of Teen Services Coordinator and Teen Loft Manager for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library of Charlotte, North Carolina. For consultations, workshops, library visits, or online workshop sessions, you may reach her at angelakaycraig(at)gmail(dot)com.
Chantell L. McDowell
Chantell L. McDowell grew up in the East New York section of Brooklyn, New York, as an at-risk teen. Her desire to give back to her community and help at-risk teens was cultivated as she began her career as a librarian for the Brooklyn Public Library in 2008. She facilitated outreach to public and alternative schools, the Spofford Juvenile Detention Center, Rikers Island, group homes, and neighborhood clinics. The youth who resided in the “Brooklyn Projects” inspired her to help those who struggle. Working with 220 Serving At-Risk Teens teenagers, especially those at risk, is her passion, because she knows what it feels like to be considered “at risk.” While serving as a Teen Services Librarian for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library of Charlotte, North Carolina, she helped redesign the teen space of the North County Regional Library and provided special programs and services for teens at her library branch. Chantell is currently the Head Library Media Specialist at Ranson International Baccalaureate Middle School in Charlotte, where she is working with an at-risk population and developing several effective library programs that will improve the behavior and learning patterns for an entire community of scholars. She received her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Old Westbury, New York, and her master’s degree in Information and Library Sciences from Pratt Institute, Brooklyn. She is currently a candidate for her doctoratal degree in Organizational Leadership at Franklin Pierce University, New Hampshire, with plans to develop, implement, and research an effective program that would increase adolescent development and reduce incidents of delinquency, substance use, and academic failure in our disadvantaged youth. She presented at ALA’s annual conference in 2012 regarding library services to underserved populations. For consultations, workshops, library visits, or online workshop sessions, you may reach her at chantellmcdowell1(at)gmail(dot)com.
