I'll be very surprised if you haven't seen this on one social media  source or another. But if not I'm happy to share it with you.

Words for teenagers
Northland College principal John Tapene has offered the following words from a judge who regularly deals with youth. “Always we hear the cry from teenagers, ‘what can we do, where can we go?’

“My answer is this: Go home, mow the lawn, wash the windows, learn to cook, build a raft, get a job, visit the sick, study your lessons and after you’ve finished, read a book. Your town does not owe you recreational facilities and your parents do not owe you fun.

“The world does not owe you a living, you owe the world something. You owe it your time, energy and talent so that no one will be at war, in sickness and lonely again. In other words grow up, stop being a cry baby, get out of your dream world and develop a backbone not a wishbone. Start behaving like a responsible person. You are important and you are needed. It’s too late to sit around and wait for somebody to do something someday. Someday is now and that somebody is you!”

I have a prize for the first person who can find the name of the judge!!!         Katie

I attended a session at ALA this summer, presented by Tiffany Pahman, Teen Librarian of the Oshawa Public Libraries, that while geared to a public library audience was jam-packed with ideas for programs to use with Tweens. Tiffany identified this group as 10 to 14 year olds though she also mentioned KAGOY, which I had not previously heard. This is the acronym for Kids Are Getting Older Younger, meaning in this case that many of the programs will work for patrons as young as 8 year olds. 

Tiffany generously shared access to their web page The Tween Scene, which has detailed information about each program, as well as the documentation to download for any print materials involved. She gave permission to all to adapt for their library programming purposes. 

I just wish you could have experienced her enthusiasm for developing and implementing these programs and some of the stories she told about her teen patrons. It is no surprise they have such a wonderful program and following. She certainly understands and enjoys the age group!!!                                                                                                       Katie