Happy summer! I hope it is mostly happy to have your libraries bustling with activity and excitement about programs and more! I know it can also be an overwhelming time, and sometimes behavior from teens (and others) can be one of the tricky parts to manage. I got a question from someone about this recently, and have had several in the recent past. As I gathered resources for the library in question this time around, I thought it might be useful for others. So here goes!
General information:
Understanding Teen Behavior from the Massachusetts Library System, this is a LibGuide that has links to resources about teen development, the importance of teens having space in libraries, and tips for working with teens.
Teen Tips from Indiana State Library, September 2021: 40 minute webinar includes short sections on brain development, why teens in the library is a good thing, and tips on working with challenging behavior, including managing your own and others’ expectations.
More specifics on behavior:
Teen Services: A Fresh Perspective, a 2018 article from Illinois Library Association by Champaign Public Library: Simple and doable steps for improving teen environment, explaining expectations, and more, this article includes tips for individual, department, and whole library.
Disruptive Teens? 7 Strategies to Regain Order, Authority, and Your Sanity, a 5 Minute Librarian blog post from 2016: What do do when: group is too rowdy, there is a single teen breaking the rules, teens are ignoring you, there are issues between two teens, suspect the teen has a disability that is affecting their behavior, suggestions for avoiding future issues, and de-escalation tips.
Restorative Justice:
A YALSA Snack Break video (10 minutes) from 2017: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJVfLa96cIs.
A quick introduction to restorative justice/restorative practices–that focuses not on punishment or suspensions but on achieving social discipline in ways that encourage people to take responsibility and communicate well with each other.
According to the International Institute on Restorative Practices: “The systematic use of informal restorative practices has a cumulative impact and creates an environment that consistently fosters awareness, empathy, and responsibility that is more effective on achieving social discipline than relying on punishment and sanctions.” Restorative: high level of control combined with a high level of support.
Restorative Justice Practices and How to Implement Them, 2021 article from Library Journal.
- individual(s) who experienced the harm having a voice in making things right;
- individual(s) responsible for perpetuating the harm taking responsibility;
- promotion of active listening;
- participation of the community.
Bogle (Hennepin County Public Library) suggests “a conversation with youth, as opposed to strict enforcement of rules, which often leads to escalated conflict and tension,” as a restorative approach that leads to more positive outcomes. “We ask staff participating in Restorative Justice training to think about a time they changed their own behavior. What helped? What didn’t help? We’ve heard being shamed or people forcing change doesn’t stick, and that change happens when people have access to resources they need, people supporting them, and the right information to center the change in values that mattered to them.”