Getting Boys Into the Library
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Do boys belong in the library?
It’s all about your library VISION!
Create an inviting atmosphere
Allow
Allow
Provide comfortable seating
Make the library look cool
Provide reading materials that boys like
Develop relationships
Start up a library based program
Get parents involved
- Encourage parents to bring their sons to the public library
- Teach parents techniques to get their sons stay involved with reading
- Talk with them about their questions, concerns, and ideas
It’s worth the effort
Things to Discuss:
You can say the libraries in our school are still "old school" Strictly no talking! There is not even a conference room for group discussion. Don't get me wrong, we have good materials for reading but the ambiance is the typical old school library.
I would wish our library to have an extreme makeover. That really is nice Mike, making it more inviting for kids to come inside and read read read. I especially like eating inside the library being encouraged.
~~~a stone is not carved by force but by constant friction~~~
I have the blessing of having Mike as the teacher-librarian for my school and have had the opportunity of seeing the library makeover in action. However, it was really something that took some adjusting to! When I first walked in to the library, all I could think is "Is this guy nuts?" (no offense, Mike)but was quickly able to see the way the atmosphere of the library shaped the entire school.
If a library program like this is going to work, it is important that the teachers are clear on what the benefits are going to be. It takes some adjustment, and there is definately a difference in how I am able to run my class if we are meeting in the library, but it really is incredible. The library has become the pulse of our school. I love that my students beg to go to the library (boys and girls alike). Many of the students have been allowed to help paint the wall with their original artwork and it really is reflective of our student population, and a place where they feel truly at home.
I have yet to come across a library that allows eating in the premises. Actually, this is a good idea. Some kids love to snack on something when they're engaged in reading.
How about a parent-son meet in the library? A bonding of sorts wherein the child will show his folks his favorite spots or books in the library.
I believe those are great ideas. I really like the idea of encouraging food and the seats. I think if they made the library more of a hang out, without destructing anything, that boys would be more encouraged to go to it. They would want to read more if everyone else hung out there. The cafe is great, more schools need to do that.
wow! your library is really cool. how i wish i could enter such kind of library to read.
Our school library here is still the same way as our parents or even grand parents had during their schooling years. No eating inside and definitely with hard wood tables and chairs. The best thing that happened in our library as to physical things are the newly painted and wall, with fresh air and nice landscape outside windows.
I would try to suggest this extreme make over to my librarian friend. Maybe she will also pick up your idea of having a "cool" library.
I never heard that parents get involve with the library in our school. Except for those people who wanted to donate some books once in a while. Hopefully this could change as well. I think it is also good if parents could help with the school libraries programs like they have supported the classroom programs for their child.
As for the libraries program, we have an annual book week held every first week of December. We have some competitions inside the library with lots of prizes such as Story telling, Essay writing, spelling, and poster making contests. Once a month, we also have a film showing wherein students can be in the library to watch and enjoy the educational movies that the librarian prepared for them.
Hello Mike, great topic with awesome tips!
You asked about some "library programs" I like this one
http://support.midhudson.org/ezprogram/display_details.php?id=578
It'll cost you nothing (just a phone call), you can check the website for more programs.
In school I also am a moderator of a club organization. I have more than 20 boys in my club. The school year is about to end so as a final evaluation activity for my club, I wanted them to go to the library and research certain topics regarding our club. I wanted them to work in diads so as to facilitate teamwork as well.
When I went down to the library to ask the librarian permission for the boys to go down and do research for our activity I was so frustrated because the lady librarian said that I should have made reservations first before they could have let my boys do the research.
It was a fault in my part not being able to reserve ahead of time. So, the club members weren't able to do their research. We instead opted to do another activity.
Situations like these make the library less appealing to boys. Instead of welcoming boys to use the library, and letting me off the hook for this first time, It has created an impression of rigidity instead of openness.
Well, I work at county public library and we have a very active youth services department with two children's and one teen's librarian on staff, and we have made many of the types of changes you suggest. The kids do seem to like to snack while they hand out at the puters and game tables. OTOH, seeing the homeless come in with bags of groceries and used the library as a place to eat or sleep does make long for the old days a bit.
Do boys really have this much trouble with libraries? My son loves the library! We've been taking him frequently and regularly since he was a baby, and for him, at age 5, it's still a treat. And it seems like there are usually plenty of other boys at the activities we attend.
Our library has a little cafe in the front, but you're not allowed to take food back into the rest of the library. I think it's a reasonable compromise.
Hi Holli,
Yes, there are some boys that do have problems in the library. I too have been bringing my boys (and girls) to the library since they were tiny. One day my little guy was being a bit loud and something was said to him. I had trouble getting him back in the next visit. Many times boys do not even realize how loud they are being. I know mine don't. I can't count the amount of times I have been out with them and one will yell MOM and I have to say "I am standing right on the side of you". They are just high energy by nature. :)
Thanks, Debby
I love all of the comments and understand that one word or action can turn a boy off to reading and the library. Before I came to my school, the old library allowed NOTHING and as the new librarian, I was told to get the students back into the library. It has been 6 years now and like Mike, the library was revamped with alot of support from admin and the teachers. Boys can't wait to get into the library, yes they do eat, yes they love the computers and laptops and most important, they feel welcome and WANT TO COME, day after day. But it does take hard work from everyone to provide this energized, inviting atmosphere and yes we have lots of great books for boys. I love booktalking and the students feel at ease coming to ask for recommendations.
Hi
Totally agree, work in a boys school 11-18 in UK. Allow eating / drinking as long as no rubbish which of course they respect because respect goes both ways! No signs up anywhere. It is THEIR library. I talk to boys at start of year about who loves reading - hands go up and I say fine, keep going. I then ask who HATES reading - few hands go up. We talk about why - why it's ok to prefer football and playing outside but that the library is still for them even if they don't like books they might like a space to relax with friends around a game of chess, sharing a magazine etc. They feel welcome - you can't 'sell' reading if you don't get them through the door. I then get them to create a 'book' about themselves about hobbies etc. and use this info to chat to them about stuff they may like - including weblinks / blogs etc as they are all reading too aren't they! Manga and cartoons have got lots reading too, and the chance for them to order their own choice of books is a real incentive.
Sorry for rambling comment - but v busy at work today with lots of boys reading! We can't allow them to hide behind the myth that they don't and it's not cool!
Best wishes with your ideas
Kate
So what about the littlest library patrons? I'm a mom of a 5 year old daughter and 2 year old son. My son is a typical 2 year old boy. He loves loud crashes and big trucks and making messes.
My local public library is not the most child-friendly library. I suppose the one big indicator is that they have adult-sized furniture and seating in the children's area. Even the tables they use for story time crafts are adult-sized. None of the little ones can reach the tabletops comfortably.
It gets quite busy in the afternoons (after-school) and they have a security guard patrolling the floor during this time to regulate the crowds. In my opinion this security guard gets a little carried away. Children are always being reprimanded for the smallest of infractions: speaking too loudly, more than one child to a computer, running, touching and playing, to name a few.
Bringing my children to the library for regular visits is about as important as taking them to the pediatrician for regular visits. I feel like the public library is a place for exploring and growing your imagination. If my 2 year old wants to pull out his trucks, plopped down on the floor and recreate a scene in the book he's reading, I'm all for it. I want my son to like reading, books and the library.
But how can he enjoy the experience if he's being spoken to for doing things a typical 2 year old boy would do? Touching, moving, jumping, speaking, exploring. Yes, I'm all for good manners and discipline but there's only so much you can expect from the toddler, preschool and young elementary set. I definitely wouldn't let my children do anything in the public library that I wouldn't let them do at home. However as most parents with young children soon learn, you must pick your battles. Standing on a table is unacceptable, but driving your Matchbox through an unused book end is really no big deal. The library guard cannot see the difference.
When my son walks into the library he is excited. He knows exactly where to find the books he likes. He knows the room for the children's story time. He always checks to see if something is going on in there. He loves the library. We'll get in the car after a visit and he'll say, "that was fun." I feel awful, however, when he is asked to quiet down or stop his little toddler run to his favorite books or not explore something that is in an open area and within his reach. I don't see many adults entering the library exhibiting this much enthusiasm, so I'm pretty sure he'll grown out of it eventually. He'll learn how to conduct himself by example, not by constant shushing and reprimanding.
Regarding programs I would love it if they created programs just for boys. I've seen everything from teddybear pinics to scrapbooking. I can't even tell you how excited my son would be to bring his vehicle of choice to a big truck picnic or a bulldozer book time. That would be too cool!
We each have our own goals to fulfill when we visit the library. Some of us want a place of silence to read, research and meditate. Some of us want a place of social community to exchange thoughts and ideas with other like-minded individuals and families. Some of us just want to learn something new. I don't think the public library in particular is prepared (sometimes because its vision is too limited) to cater to each of those goals.
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You are spot on with your ideas for making the library kid friendly. I started allowing food and stopped shushing about 5 years ago. The first few months were horrible as kids (Gr. 8-12) came to terms with their new freedom. Now they are very respectful of the library environment and each other. The library has become a busy place, lots of working noise and the kids feel welcome here.
I formed a library advisory group of boys who recommend books to buy and displays. The other thing I've done is buy some beanbag chairs which are constantly in use.
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This is best guideline for librarians.Boys are often far more interested in the library computers than the books, so use them wisely! Set book-based competitions that involve computer research, promote fun author websites or ask for volunteers to complete online book reviews. Balancing the book and technology aspects of the library well can work wonders.
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Our school library here is still the same way as our parents or even grand parents had during their schooling years. No eating inside.
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That really is nice Mike, making it more inviting for kids to come inside and read read read.Brown Leather Jacket I especially like eating inside the library being encouraged.
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Education is key for men AND women, not just for the boys. I see little girls escaping the library as well to go play with their dogs, for whom they have dog tags for dogs of course.
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Libraries also have lots of activities that can help get children involved in libraries and reading. Libraries can have regular writing groups sessions, imaginative initiatives like the MAD Science session. I know this activities were recently been taking place to some libraries.