Read More

Often when I am at the library providing reader’s advisory services, I get asked by young folks, “Can you recommend a book to me?” My immediate follow-up is, “Well, what do you like?” I tell them that it doesn’t have to be a book; it could be a favorite character, movie, or activity. This sparks so many conversations about what youth feel very passionately about. Often, I pocket these conversations not only to help in the moment, but also for later programming ideas. 

Anime Programs

If there’s one thing that teens and tweens love, it’s anime and manga. To tap into that love, last summer, I hosted an anniversary celebration for the One Piece manga series. We made buttons of favorite characters, exchanged friendship bracelets, watched episodes, created keychains, and took photos in a DIY photo booth. Roughly a month later, I hosted an anime trivia night, which garnered a crowd as well. The tweens, teens, and a few young adults interacted across ages to chat about their favorite characters, episodes, arcs, and more. They loved seeing who knew more about the series as well. More recently I have hosted programs around other series, video game programs, and craft programs. Anime programming is a great way to easily tap into something that this age group is already excited about.

Gaming Programs

As I highlighted in a previous blog post, Pokémon Club is heating up at my library! The patrons who attend enjoy playing the card game and battling it out with one another, but they also greatly enjoy the aspect of bonding over a shared love of Pokémon. This is such an intergenerational game, and often the librarians hosting the program have been fans of the franchise since they were young. In our club, debates about who is the best Pokémon often ensue (The favorites are often Eevee and Mewtwo). Even when the game isn’t being played, participants bond over crafts, the show, and their favorite cards. Thinking about a gaming franchise (DnD anyone?) that your teens and tweens enjoy could be a great way to engage them in programs.

KPop Programs

My most recent venture into fandom culture was through a KPop craft night. We played music videos and curated a playlist of old KPop hits as well as new, which eventually turned into participants requesting their favorite KPop hits. Participants decorated photocard holders for their “bias” with beads and tiny tchotchkies. Teens and tweens absolutely loved the activity, and were so excited to see photos of their favorite band members that I had at the ready. I even had some parents get very into decorating for a band that their kids loved!

Teens and tweens love to share their passions, especially around fandoms. There are so many more fandoms out there that are going strong, whether from books, media, or music. Bringing fan culture to your library is a gateway to connecting teens to the wider community and to the other amazing services that the library can offer them. 

All photos courtesy of blogger.

This post addresses ALSC Core Competencies 1.6 and 3.1.

Annaliese Melvin (she/they) is a children’s librarian at a neighborhood library in Washington, D.C. Originally from Pennsylvania, she moved to the DC-area in 2020 to become a special education teacher after graduating with her bachelor’s from Arcadia University. In 2023, she graduated from the University of Southern Mississippi with a master’s degree in Library and Information Science and transitioned into the library field. Annaliese currently works to bring more inclusive programming to DC Public Libraries for children of all ages. She is passionate about equity, inclusion, reading, and Philadelphia sports.

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