The Teens of Queens and the staff with the golden touch

I have just spent the most inspirational 2 days of my working life with the amazing teenagers of the Queens Library for Teens and the unbelievably talented staff. This is what I have been waiting to see and never thought I would have made such a connection with the teenagers and staff. The Teen Library doesn't have books, but does have magazines. It doesn't have librarians but does have youth counsellors. While literacy and educational programs are all around, the teens don't seem to notice. This is a success beyond anything I had expected.

The rules are strict and relevant to the issues teenagers face in Far Rockaway. Due to gang affiliations and problems, no caps are allowed to be worn inside. Anyone walking in with a cap on is reminded to remove it. No bandanas allowed. The whole jeans falling down thing is not allowed and the boys are told to pull their pants up. No 'gang' beads. Everyone coming in must sign the attendance book, they must acknowledge the staff by saying hello. While it seems there are quite a number of rules which generally teenagers might not want to follow, they gladly honour the rules, and follow directions. Boys who have forgotten to remove their caps apologise when reminded, anyone who forgets to sign in gladly does so when reminded and to say I have never seen a happier group of teens in one space in the company of adults in charge of them is an understatement. The staff have developed relationships with the teenagers which is pure trust and respect.

This space truly belongs to the teens using it. The appointment of 3 teen mentors is a key to the success. They show responsibility beyond their years and ensure the other teens respect the space and the equipment. When initially asked what they would like in the library during the consultation phase, the local teens said: soft seats, computers and magazines. They got that, and not long ago they also got a sound studio. This has provided opportunities to the teens completely beyond belief. The success stories being played out every day in the library are due to the efforts of the youth workers on staff and the amazing Lambert Shell who initiated this new model for youth libraries.

Lambert has now appointed youth counsellors to all of the library branches which have teen spaces and which previously were staffed only with the library staff. While I have been impressed with youth spaces I visited previously, there is a huge difference. In the traditional libraries, the teens are in the space and interacting with each other. There is generally a librarian or staff member around the general area, but the interaction between teens and the library staff is nil or very low. At Queens Library for Teens, the interaction between teens and staff is constant, it is positive and it is respectful on both sides. The interaction becomes conversation and the conversation becomes the entry point for the youth workers to check on the development of the teens and the offer of support if necessary. The trust in this place is so strong that the library now has a report card day where the teens take their report cards in to show the staff, who discuss both the positive and negative results, encourage improvement, discuss future plans, and all of this is done over pizza and juice. The success stories which have come out of this one program are phenomenal.

The many and varied stories, backgrounds and experiences these teens have to share are amazingly eclectic and will both melt your heart, and bring you to tears. Very importantly, the teens did try to teach me to rap, which of course was hysterical and resulted in me hiding behind others. The teens I spent time with were as interested in me as I was in them. Their social skills are extremely developed and this seems to be because they are socialising nearly every day with adult youth workers who encourage them, are always positive and respect the teens efforts acknowledging that it won't be perfect every day. I could type for days about this, but ultimately, this model and the programs work. There is no secret, it is not rocket science, but it is absolutely something different for public libraries. It is workable, positive and a proven recipe for success.