Janelle – I don’t have my file in front of me now, but when planning the youth redesign at Traverse Area District Library I had a number of resources that I’ll track down and share with you soon. In the meantime, I really appreciated this article in slj: http://www.slj.com/2015/10/programs/what-do-tweens-want/ I found that giving the tweens a separate area that was visible yet secluded really made them happy – they were attracted right away to the comfy seating and lots of plug-in areas plus a computer bar where little ones couldn’t quite reach. Tweens immediately began using their new space (eventually designed by a library designer) and made it their home. One key note: don’t put wheels on any stools. The toddlers flock to those… Cathy Lancaster Youth Services Coordinator Library of Michigan 517-335-8129 517-373-5700 f LancasterC5@michigan.gov<mailto:LancasterC5@michigan.gov> Our collective efforts can help make Michigan a Top 10 education state in 10 years! Here are the goals and strategies: http://mi.gov/top10in10/ [cid:image001.png@01D2039A.4E4BC0C0] From: michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org [mailto:michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org] On Behalf Of Janelle Martin Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2016 10:05 AM To: michlib-l <michlib-l@mail.mcls.org> Subject: [Michlib-l] Tween Spaces Hey Everyone, We are hoping to build a new library sometime in the future and we are thinking about planning for a tween area. Does anyone have a tween space in their buildings? Is it part of either the teen or children's section? Or is it a separate area? If you have a tween area, how did you decorate it differently than the children's or teen areas to make it stand apart from the other sections? Are there things that you like or hate about your tween area? Things you would have done differently? Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Janelle Janelle Martin Head of Fiction Marguerite deAngeli Library Lapeer District Library 921 W. Nepessing St. Lapeer, MI 48446 jmartin@lib.lapeer.org<mailto:jmartin@lib.lapeer.org> 810-664-6971 ext 3218

Hi Janelle, we do have a tween space here at our library. It is in the back of the Children's Room and is visible and not secluded-no doors or walls to separate it but a pergola surrounds it, so it is defined. We have the Tween music selection back there along with a CD Player so they can play music (there is a set of headphones if they want to listen privately) and we house our board and card games back there. Our Friends group donated the $$$ to purchase three big red bean bags and we have two brightly colored blue chairs also. We strung indoor lights around the top of the pergola that matches our beach theme. It is a real treat to see the tweens go back there and play Twister and play music or bring school projects back there to work on. I feel that it has given them a "hang-out" and is far enough removed from where we have the train table and the younger kid books that it makes them feel that they aren't being lumped in with the little ones. That area was not built specifically for these reasons but once our Tween programming began, we thought it would be cool to have a space for them and we could do this without spending a ton. Amy Nolan Children's Librarian St. Joseph Public Library 269-983-7167 ________________________________ From: michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org [michlib-l-bounces@mcls.org] on behalf of Janelle Martin [jmartin@lib.lapeer.org] Sent: Wednesday, September 07, 2016 10:04 AM To: michlib-l Subject: [Junk released by Allowed List] [Michlib-l] Tween Spaces Hey Everyone, We are hoping to build a new library sometime in the future and we are thinking about planning for a tween area. Does anyone have a tween space in their buildings? Is it part of either the teen or children's section? Or is it a separate area? If you have a tween area, how did you decorate it differently than the children's or teen areas to make it stand apart from the other sections? Are there things that you like or hate about your tween area? Things you would have done differently? Any advice or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Janelle Janelle Martin Head of Fiction Marguerite deAngeli Library Lapeer District Library 921 W. Nepessing St. Lapeer, MI 48446 jmartin@lib.lapeer.org 810-664-6971 ext 3218