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Children's and YA Services

Learn about children, teen, and early literacy resoruces, policies, and collections

Teen Services Workshops

Teen Services, Division of Library Development YouTube page

Teen Services, Division of Library Development Workshops

The Division of Library Development offers a wide range of teen services programs. In addition to expertise offered by CT State Library staff members, partner organizations offer information on various programs, services, and resources to share with the greater CT community.

Teen Service, Niche Academy Workshop Playlist

Teen Services, Niche Academy Workshops

Niche Academy provides an easy-to-use learning platform & professional training to help mission-driven organizations solve big problems together. Through the CT State Library, every library staff member has free access to Niche Academy workshop. Just create a user name and password!

Transforming Teen Services

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Transforming Teen Services is a series of trainings designed to help improve library services for teens. There are five basic content areas: The Pursuit of Equity, Ages and Stages of Teen DevelopmentConnected LearningComputational Thinking, and Youth Voice and Program Facilitation. This series was developed as part of an IMLS grant partnership between YALSA and COSLA. In the fall of 2019, State and local library staff from around the country were trained to implement the Transforming Teen Services trainings in their states. 

The Transforming Teen Services workshop is now available on the Connecticut State Library Niche Academy. There is a section for each of the five subject areas, and a workbook to help you keep track of notes and assignments. After completing the entire tutorial, you will have the knowledge and skills (and maybe even a plan!) to provide high quality programs and services for and with teens.

Unlike previous online Transforming Teen Services trainings, there will be no mandatory Zoom sessions for this tutorial. You can work through it at your own pace. Fair warning: it’s long. But, it’s worth it. Here are some ideas on how to take the course:

  • Do one module each week for five weeks. If you have questions or would like one-on-one coaching, contact Kym Powe Kymberlee.powe@ct.gov
  • Connect with others from your library system or school district to learn the material together.

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Upcoming Transforming Teen Services Cohort

Overview

Transforming Teen Services (T3) is a training initiative of the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) and the Chief Officers of State Library Agencies (COSLA) and was originally funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). It focuses on supporting library staff working with and for teens ages 8-18 to better understand their emotional and social development and understand how connected learning and computational thinking can work together to build equity based services for and with teens.

Staff who participate in these module workshops will gain sills in articulating the value of work they do for and with teens, building equity in teen services, and understanding the needs of teens in their local communities.

Cohort

Join your fellow CT library staff members (in person) who work with teens through facilitation of the four T3 training modules at the Middletown Library Service Center. 

  • Child and Youth Development | Monday, October 6 10:00-12:30pm 

In order to effectively work with youth, library staff need a basic understanding of how youth develop, their needs and their assets. This workshop summarizes key child and youth development research and focuses on how to create programs that are appropriate for youth you work with.

  • What is Connected Learning | Monday, October 20 10:00-2:00pm

This workshop will introduce you to the core concepts of Connected Learning. Participants will explore the principles of Connected Learning and how to connect Connected Learning theory to practice.

  • Getting Started with Computational Thinking | Monday, November 3 10:00-1:00pm

In this session participants get hands-on experience and a chance to discuss what computational thinking is and how it can be integrated into teen activities.

  • Connected Learning & Computational Thinking | Monday, November 17 10:00-12:00

In this workshop participants scaffold knowledge they already have about CL and CT and use it to recognize the ways in which CT supports CL.

Requirements

  • While we understand that emergencies happen, to the best extent possible, cohort members must be free to attend all 4 sessions in person.
  • Cohort members should be working with, or hoping to work with teens. (Please note session 1 on Child and Youth Development will focus on children and young as 8 years old, the beginning of adolescence.)
  • Sessions are facilitated (as opposed to instructional) and will require discussion, activity, and conversation, please be ready to actively contribute. 
  • There will be breaks in longer session, so be sure to bring any water and snacks!

Teen Services Resources

Credits

This project is funded by the State of Connecticut and the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered by the Connecticut State Library. 

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