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Eliminating Barriers: Building Stronger Relationships with Teen Library Patrons

ABSTRACT Young adult librarianship is a rewarding yet challenging occupation. While trying to provide the highest-level services and programming possible for this segment of the population, teen librarians continue to encounter various complications in providing access, and outreach to young adults. The Young Adult Library Services Association’s (YALSA) has provided their Core Competencies to assist Young Adult Librarians in formulating appropriate programming and services that will foster enriching relationships with teens. These competencies help teens develop the tools they will need throughout their lives, and hopefully create life-long library users. However, this basic framework doesn’t speak to the realities that many Young Adult Librarians face on a daily basis. This article highlights three of YALSA’ Core Competencies: Equity of Access, Outreach, and and Cultural Competency, and explores ways in which we can engage in formulating better relationships with teen library patrons.