NEWS For Immediate Release March 14, 2013

Contact: Rob Christopher

CHICAGO — Working with at-risk teens, including those who are homeless, incarcerated or in foster care, is a rewarding but often challenging endeavor, especially with a growing number of at-risk teens in both urban and rural areas of the country. Based on best practices and personal experiences from many leaders in the field today, including authors Angela Craig and Chantell L. McDowell, “Serving At-Risk Teens: Proven Strategies and Programs for Bridging the Gap,” shows how libraries and communities can work together to find new ways to serve this population.  Packed with accessible and affordable programming ideas, ready-to-use templates and techniques, this publication from the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) and ALA Neal-Schuman:

• Demonstrates why serving at-risk teens is important and offers advice for gaining institutional support for outreach services;
• Shows how to understand the needs of at-risk teens, including a discussion of the factors that place teens at risk;
• Examines diversity within the at-risk population;
• Suggests ways to partner with youth facilities, with real-world examples of working with non-library personnel and caregivers;
• Provides guidance for collection and resource development;
• Gives examples of technology-based programs to promote literacy and connectedness.

Craig has worked with at-risk populations since 2005 and is currently teen services coordinator and teen loft manager for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library of Charlotte, North Carolina. Her library programs have taken her to the county jail, alternative schools, senior centers, day care centers, homeless shelters and public schools. She has published articles about her work with the at-risk population in Computers and Libraries and Young Adult Library Services (YALS). A conference presenter on the topic of library services to underserved populations, such as homeless patrons and youth at risk, she is currently serving on YALSA’s 2013–2015 Alex Awards Committee.

McDowell grew up as an at-risk teen, and her desire to give back to her community propelled her to a career as a librarian. While at the Brooklyn Public Library, she facilitated outreach to public and alternative schools, the Spofford Juvenile Detention Center, Rikers Island, group homes and neighborhood clinics. Later, while serving as a teen services librarian for the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library of Charlotte, North Carolina, she helped redesign the teen space of the North County Regional Library and provided special programs and services for teens at her library branch. She is currently head library media specialist at Ranson International Baccalaureate Middle School, Charlotte and presented at ALA’s annual conference in 2012 regarding library services to underserved populations.

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) is the fourth largest division of ALA, with more than 5,400 members. YALSA’s mission is to expand and strengthen library services for teens and young adults. Through its member-driven advocacy, research, and professional development initiatives, YALSA builds the capacity of libraries and librarians to engage, serve, and empower teens and young adults. YALSA’s major initiatives include Teen Read Week™ and Teen Tech Week™. Known as the world leader in recommending books and media to those ages 12–18, YALSA each year gives out six literary awards, including the Printz Award, and chooses titles for seven book and media lists.

ALA Store purchases fund advocacy, awareness and accreditation programs for library professionals worldwide. Founded in 1976 by Patricia Glass Schuman and John Vincent Neal, Neal-Schuman Publishers, now an imprint of ALA Publishing, publishes professional books for librarians, archivists, and knowledge managers. Contact us at (800) 545-2433 ext. 5418 or editionsmarketing@ala.org.

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