Passive Programming!

Okay, so I understand that there are certain situations or times when doing an active and more in depth program is just not possible. Maybe your staff is stretched too thin, you do not have time, or there is not a dedicated teen space. In this instance, what do you do with all those teens just hanging out in the library? The answer is.... Passive programming! So what is passive programming? Passive program is something that the teens can access and use easily and without a whole lot of staff supervision.  I am sure many of you have heard of this, but here are some suggestions that may help!

For crafts, I recommend things like perler beads, beads, duct tape, scrapbooking, or puff paint.

For games I would suggest things like chess, uno, cards, or dominoes.

These things can all hold teens interest for a bit of time, give them something to do, and keep you free to do other things about the library! Passive programming is a good thing to develop in your library and I would love to hear some suggestions on other things that could be a passive program! Send me an email or comment dstates@yorklibraries.org

Dawn states: I like making duct tape bow ties!

Photography Work shop

One of the really cool things about my job is that I get to do all sorts of interesting things and programs! One of the latest ones I am going to do is a special presentation on how to take some good photos. My teens found out that I love taking Polaroids, and wanted to know more about it. It coincides that there is an opportunity for the teens to also enter their work in a photo contest because the organization is partnering with my library. It is a fantastic organization called Eat, Play, Breath York and the teens are supposed to capture photos of healthy and unhealthy habits that they witness in the city. (http://www.eatplaybreatheyork.org/Pages/home.aspx) I get to show teens how to take photos, they get to enter their work in a contest, and a local community organization gets to partner with the library. It is awesome all around!

For my presentation, I made a powerpoint with cats and cameras, notes, and some examples of excellent photography. I also made a handout for the teens to take with them as they go about the city looking for scenes of healthy and unhealthy behavior. It is really simple to pull together, and I encourage anyone with a definite interest that they would like to share with their teens to do so and to see what directions that interest leads them in!


If anyone needs any tips, has any questions, or needs more information, please email me at dstates@yorklibraries.org
Dawn states: Ansel Adams is one of my favorite photographers...who is yours?