Developmental Assets and Youth: how libraries can give teens the tools they need to succeed!

A very informative and insightful session on how to make teens' lives better. It listed 40 developmental assets for youth that help them grow up healthy, caring and responsible. External assets include Support, Empowerment, Boundaries & Expectations, Constructive Use of Time; while internal assets include Commitment to Learning, Positive Values, Social Competencies and Positive Identity. The more assets young people have, the more likely they are to engage in positive behaviors. They are the foundation kids need in order to survive.

Principles of Youth Development - "It takes a whole village to raise a child" (African proverb). Youth development is about hope and making a difference. Involve them, work with them and teach them. It's the job of the whole community.

Youth need:-
1. a sense of competence : being able to do something well.
2. a sense of usefulness: having something to contribute.
3. a sense of power: having control over one's future.
4. a sense of belonging: being part of a community.

Youth make up 25% of our coustomers. Always relate what you do with youth. We can provide an environment for caring and self acceptance, show them learning can be fun, provide them with opportunities to contribute through volunteer work, provide an atmosphere of safety and support, empower them with opportunity such as TAG, and offer programs that will engage them.

The five building blocks include programming, outreach and partnership, volunteerism, creative expression and networking. Programming can be literacy based such as book clubs or a performance such as concerts or drama. Other creative programs can be teen toastmasters, craft programs, or Santa Claus parade. Outreach & Partnership include class visits, exhibits, fairs, community events, and Youth Week. Connect and build relationship with school boards, YMCA, youth serving groups etc. Volunteerism include TAG, homework programs, reading buddies. Creative expression include poetry, photography, writing, cartooning, poster contests, and teen art exhibitions. Networking involves sharing best practices and taking time to build relationships and trust.

Relationship is the key to asset building. We need to learn their names, support them, encourage them. When we form relationships, we help kids succeed. One important message I got is "libraries are not in the book business, but in people business". Libraries don't change lives. Librarians do!