25 complete programs save librarians time and bring teens into the library doors

New York, NY (January 6, 2009)— In Start-to-Finish YA Programs, to be published by Neal-Schuman on February 25, 2009, award-winning librarian and educator Ella W. Jones parlays her 25 years of experience of programming for teens into a comprehensive, ready-to-go resource for other librarians. The book includes 25 complete programs that have been proven successful in real library settings, as well as the marketing materials needed to publicize the programs.

Jones reminds readers that, “Teens are the next generation of library users, and we will lose them if we don’t make them feel that they are a part of our community”. Divided into three well-organized sections, Start-to-Finish YA Programs responds to the major obstacles librarians face when developing teen programs: How to attract teens to the library, what to do with them once they’ve arrived, and how to teach them to appropriately use the resources.

The book begins with a foreword from renowned youth services expert Patrick Jones. Part 1, titled Let’s Get Started, explains the significant and positive impact that successful teen programs have on their audience, and includes the Search Institute’s 40 Developmental Assets for Teens, the authoritative criteria on which the book’s programs are based. Jones also guides readers through planning, brainstorming, and evaluating programs, including advice for attracting teen audiences to attend. Part 2, called Twenty Five Creative and Innovative Teen Programs, consists of five chapters that cover 25 diverse, fully-developed and teen-tested programs. The innovative concepts are both appealing and practical for teen audiences, including DJ workshops, fashion shows, poetry slams, fitness programs, term paper clinics, oral history projects, homework help clubs and more. Each program idea is paired with step-by-step instructions, beginning with initial publicity planning and continuing through to post-program evaluation. The companion CD-ROM contains all of the sample flyers, registration forms, sign-up sheets, permission slips and Power Point presentations found in the book. Part 3, titled The Finish Line, concludes with suggestions, tips and resources for grant-writing, as well as a list of helpful references and related resources.

Start-to-Finish YA Programs combines experienced guidance with creative concepts to help librarians take the guesswork out of developing successful teen programming.

Start-to-Finish YA Programs:
Hip-Hop Symposiums, Summer Reading Programs, Virtual Tours, Poetry Slams, Teen Advisory Boards And More
ISBN: 978-1-55570-601-2 .
2009. 6 x 9. 300pp. $75.00.

About the Author
Ella Jones holds three masters degrees in Education, Counseling & Guidance, and Library Science and has spent more than twenty five years educating students. A scholarship named in her honor: the Ella W. Jones Creative Arts Award, is given to graduating high-school seniors. Jones received the Director’s Gold Star Award for extraordinary efforts in bringing groups and individuals to the Fort Worth Public Library, and was selected as a “Tall Texans” by the Texas Library Association in 2006.
She has presented programs for Texas Library Association (TLA) Annual Conference, including a new program for the TLA Conference entitled “Strengthening Communities with C.L.A.S.S: Connecting Libraries and Schools Strategically.”

About Neal-Schuman Publishers
Neal-Schuman Publishers is a leading publisher of professional books for librarians and teachers including storytime guides, information literacy titles, and the highly acclaimed teens@thelibrary series. Founded in 1976, Neal-Schuman Publishers is based in New York City, with offices in London, UK.

For More Information and/or Cover Art
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sarah.eisenberg@neal-schuman.com
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212-925-8650
www.neal-schuman.com