Teen Librarian Help
Bring Young Adults into Your Library with a Teen Lock In
For teen librarians, getting kids into the library to see what you have to offer can be the most frustrating part of the job. Try a teen lock in to generate excitement.
Creating programming for teens that attracts their attention and involves actual library use can be a challenge. One way to catch your young adult patrons' interest is to offer a program that is just for them. While X Box tournaments are a sure fire hit, few teens utilize other library resources when they attend this type of program. A library lock in meets the cool factor and introduces young adults to some other services that the library offers.
To make your lock in a successful, fun and safe program, you will need to do some preliminary planning. First, decide which components you want to include in the event. There are many activities suitable to the library environment that teens enjoy. Try one of these teen programming ideas for your lock in:
- If you have a site license, you can set up a projector and a big screen and show a popular new cartoon. If you would like to have several lock in sessions in a row, time the sessions so that teens can watch all of the previous sequels to a movie that is about to be released in the theaters. Popcorn is a huge hit with this teen program.
- Craft programs are very popular with young adults, especially if they are near a holiday. Hold a teen lock in right before Mother's Day and offer teens the opportunity to make their mothers an attractive, but inexpensive gift. Votive candle holders, bracelets and button wreaths are all good craft choices for a teen program.
- Simple board games can still be very popular with teens when pizza is involved. Set up games such as chess and checkers, but be sure to include a few popular childhood favorites. Be sure you have enough pizza for each teen to have at least two slices.
- Scavenger hunts where the teens learn to use parts of the library aren't exciting on their own, but they do go over well if the teens get to make a craft as a reward for completing the hunt successfully.
Once you decide which type of program you want to have, you will need to consider safety.
- Be sure you explain to teens that they will not be able to run in and out of the building. Anyone who leaves after the lock in begins should not plan to come back inside the building.
- If you are having the teens use the entire library, you should plan on having one adult present for every four teens. Ideally, the lock in should take place in a meeting room, so you do not have to keep track of teens who try to wander into the stacks.
- Be sure you place trash cans prominently near any areas where you are serving food and provide plenty of napkins and paper towels so spills can be cleaned up quickly.
