Mix it Up: Spaces, Programs and Outreach that Engage Teens

Cathy Cormier, Mary Abler and Eric Hannan Teen Librarians, The Mix at SFPL San Francisco Public Library March 23, 2015 Recipe: The Mix at SFPL

Cooking time: to be determined

Ingredients: • Teens ages 13-18 from all demographic groups • Real, meaningful leadership opportunities for teens • A designated library space for teens (or the opportunity to create one) • Library administration and fundraising board support • Staffing that includes librarians and youth in workforce development positions • Teen librarians as facilitators for connected learning • Robust community partnerships • Money to pay teens stipends (optional but recommended if feasible)

Instructions: • Experiment and try new programs with teens at the table • Involve teens in all aspects of design process, from naming to furniture selection • Don’t be afraid to experiment • Don’t be afraid to make mistakes • Keep trying! Timeline: From Conception to Completion ∙ 2012 – 2013

∙ Received IMLS Learning Labs Grant in partnership with community organizations to create a learning lab and library space for teens at SFPL’s Main Library.

∙ Completed a space audit of the Main Library to identify an appropriate space to relocate, expand and provide a comfortable learning environment for teen users, develop a new model for teen services and attract new users.

∙ Recruited for and created a Teen Design Board, now Board of Advising Youth (BAY) to work collaboratively with project designers and library staff to create the new space, now the Board of Advising Youth.

∙ Hired a teen librarian/program manager and increased staffing to support the space.

∙ Conceptual design completed

∙ 2013 – 2014

∙ Construction design and value engineering

∙ Advocated for and received increased funding for construction.

∙ 2014 – 2015

∙ Final design and construction. Grand opening June 2015.

∙ 2015 - 2016

∙ Expansion of The Mix at SFPL through additional librarians and dedicated programs for teens in the 27 branch libraries. BAY Recruitment Process

•Outreach to local high schools and community organizations that serve teens •Group interviews with teen librarians, community partners and current BAY members (for future recruitments) •Selection criteria designed to encourage participation by a broad demographic Becoming the BAY: communication and experimentation!

• Design Camp 2011 • Recruitment and Selection of BAY • Field Research and Tours - Summer 2012 • Bi-weekly then weekly meetings • Surveying friends, community • Mentor consultancies • Working groups • Outreach at events for teens • Online sharing • Prepare for architects • Charrette! • Making the case to Library Commission and other stakeholders • Conceptual Design to Actual Design to Construction What is a Charrette? A charrette (pronounced [shuh-ret]), consists of an intense period of design activity. may refer to any session in which a group of designers drafts a solution to a design problem Visual thinking outcomes Branding, Logo, Web Design (2013 – 14)

Conceptualization at BAY meetings leads to… …Creation of Teen Center name and logo! Under Construction (October 2014 – June 2015) Welcome to The Mix (d.o.b. 6/18/2015) Entrance Area and Welcome Desk

Design Thinking with BAY Interactive Wall by T1 Visions

Youth Mentor Leanne and High School Intern Carlos in the Entrance Area The Carpet Garden: A space for HOMAGO Modular Seating Area and Nook Wall Computer Station,

Media Creation Zone,

Laptop Computer Checkout Kiosk, Books! Makerspace Audio Studio Video Studio Collaborations and Partnerships lead to… …Expanded Programming and Resources

• Staff led Drop-in Audio

Studio • Staff-led Drop-in Video Studio • Staff-led Drop-in Makerspace • Partner-led programs • Programming during class/group visits • BAY led programs (in development) Mix Staffing and Current Hours

STAFFING • 1 FTE Librarian 2/Program Manager • 2 FTE Librarian 1/Teen Services Librarian • .5 FTE Library Technical Assistant 2 (shared with Children’s Center) • 2 .5 FTE Library Pages • 4 Public Service Aides (each works 15 hours a week, college students that mentor teens and support programs) • 4 – 6 summer high school workforce development interns

CURRENT HOURS • Tuesday – Thursday 1 – 8 pm • Friday 1 – 6 pm • Saturday 12 – 6 pm • Currently closed Sunday-Monday (though the rest of the Main Library is open) Youth-driven Design: An Integral and Ongoing

Process• The Mix at SFPL design, construction and equipment funded by IMLS/Macarthur Foundation grant, the Library, and Friends of the San Francisco Public Library • Board of Advising Youth (BAY) led the design process, in collaboration with SFPL staff and City architects • City funds that support workforce development provide continued support for BAY through stipends • BAY assists with teen program design, act as youth ambassadors for The Mix, and are assistants at library programs and outreach events for children and teens. Five Youth Development Best Practices

Safety, so young people feel: •Physically and emotionally secure.

Supportive Relationships, so young people can experience: •Guidance, emotional and practical support •Adults and peers knowing who they are and what's important to them

Meaningful Youth Involvement, so that young people can: •Be involved in meaningful roles with responsibility, •Have input into decision-making, •Have opportunities for leadership, and •Feel a sense of belonging.

Skill Building, so that young people can have: •Challenging and interesting learning experiences which help them build a wide array of skills, and •Experience a sense of growth and progress.

Community Involvement, so that young people gain: •An understanding of the greater community, and •A sense of being able to make an impact in their community. Source: http://sparkaction.org/content/community-network-youth-development-defini#framework Low Budget Ideas • Let teens eat in the library at designated locations and/or during designated times! • Even if you can’t provide food, they can bring their own. • Make sure you have adequate trash/recycling cans and custodial support. • Designate times when teens can gather and not have to be quiet, either during the day or at special programs • Spoken Word Open Mics • Dance party (Just Dance, YouTube Roulette) • Video game tournament. • Pizza and movie. • Local youth band performance. • Let teens be part of the program planning and program recruitment process. • Create a Youth Advisory Board. If you can’t pay teens, maybe you have a budget for gift cards, can offer volunteer or elective course credit, or write stellar letters of recommendation. • Dry-erase, chalkboard paint or magnet wall. • Buttonmaker and supplies. Hours of creative and enterprising enjoyment! • Old school games like Jenga. • Teens are great advocates for funding teen programs at public meetings. Making the Case for Youth-driven Programming and Design, and for paying youth!

• Teens are consumers with choices. • Teens know what they don’t want! • Teens need access to adult allies aside from parents and teachers. • Underserved teens may not have access to adult allies outside the library. • The library has lifelong learning resources that most teens don’t know about. • Stipends can help recruit teens who are not regular library users to the design process. Resources

youmedia.org: Information about all YOUMedia Learning Labs, and helpful resources to start your own!

YALSA: The Future of Library Services for and with Teens: A Call to Action Required reading for all teen librarians, library administrators and library advocates Connected Learning Alliance: Powerful tools for making the case to administrators and funders Dmlcentral: Digital Media + Learning: The Power of Participation

Institute of Museum and Library Services Grants: Check regularly for new opportunities

The Mix at SFPL website + The Mix at SFPL YouTube Channel + The Mix at SFPL SoundCloud Questions and Feedback? Ask us!

Cathy Cormier: [email protected]

Mary Abler: [email protected]

Eric Hannan: [email protected]

Thank you for participating ☺