Just wanted to share this with ya’ll.

http://www.newsweek.com/id/136961

A great article in Newsweek by Jamie Reno called “Generation R (R Is for Reader)” about the resurgence of YA Lit and its role in YAers lives.  What most struck me was David Levithan’s (author of one of my favs, Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist, soon to be movie) comments about teen books as apart of pop culture with TV, movies and videogames.  Look at Gossip Girl, Harry Potter and the slew of the fantasy/adventure movies that have come out/are still coming out/optioned to come out on film. Eragon, The Dark is Rising (alternately known by the ridiculous title The Seeker), Twilight, City of Ember.  And these aren’t small productions either.  On the lower end Hannah Montana has her own series of books that tie to the TV show.  So although the article lays out the premise of YA Lit being popular is surprising, it really isn’t. 

What is surprising is how libraries haven’t overwhelmingly gotten on the YA mothership.  There are great programs out there like Los Angeles PL’s Teen’Scape with it’s overwhelmingly awesome website (http://www.lapl.org/ya/)  and gorgeous space dedicated to teens.  But then there is Michael Casey and Michael Stephen’s recent article in Library Journal “Embracing Service to Teens” (http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6556178.html) .  Stephens has been following the story of Mishawaka PL which has banned MySpace and Facebook in response to teen behavior issues.   It’s troubling to me because many people still see teens as troublemakers and rule breakers.  Libraries should be welcoming places for everyone of all ages.  We’ve gotten very good at programing for youngsters, storytimes and the like.  But what are we doing to keep those readers past preschool? Elementary? Junior High? High School?  As more libraries look to gaming and graphic novels there is beginning to be a trend towards getting the YAers in the library at any cost.  It’s a trend that’s starting in places like LA, Oak Park IL and other places that I hope to see continue and become a standard for libraries.