Do I Know You? - Evaluating Knowledge of Client Group

It has been a bit since my last blog regarding my continual evaluation of my library's Young Adult Services from YALSA's official form , but we are still pressing on to analyze and improve!  Next comes Knowledge of Client Group.  The big question is, do we really know our patrons?

Essential Elements of Knowledge of Client Group

It would be difficult to serve a group you know nothing about.  Everything from casual observation to public surveys to professional development helps develop a stronger knowledge base in pop culture, technology, diversity, and more that pertains to your community and the world as a whole for better library service.

All forms of research are not only encouraged, but required for a healthy, happy library community.  It would be silly to only read professional journals without looking at your specific patrons' needs and interests, but it would be equally silly to only focus on your area without learning about how to improve and grow.

Familiarity with Developmental Needs - Proficient (4 pt.)

• Summary:
• All library staff understand that they also serve youth as part of library service.
• YA staff is aware of adolescent developmental theory and needs and is familiar with Search Institute's 40 Developmental Assets.

Current Knowledge of Technology and Popular Culture- Proficient (4 pt.)

• Summary:
• Library supports maintaining and developing current knowledge in technology and popular culture through formal professional development and the time necessary to informally develop knowledge (reading blogs, news articles, etc.).
• YA staff keeps up with trends and tests out tools teens may want to or currently use (twitter, tablets, etc.).

Demonstrated Respect for Diversity - Proficient (4 pt.)

• Summary:
• Library conducts occasional, formal community studies.
• Library resources reflect the variety of cultures in the community and around the world.

Special Needs Patron Issues Addressed - Proficient (4 pt.)

• Summary:
• Library community studies indirectly address the question of services to young adults with special needs.
• Library strives to cooperate with organizations devoted to young adult and special needs clients to provide library services.
• Young Adult library spaces are not yet ADAAG (Americans with Disabilities Act Accessibility Guidelines) compliant.  
• Our library building was Grandfathered in as it is so old (this year is actually our 100 year anniversary) and so does not need to comply.  Overall, a majority of the library has met these standards to the best of their ability.  With that in mind, however, I went to get my tape measure and discovered that the Teen Lounge's walkways are too narrow.  This will soon change, however, as noted in the Looking Ahead section.

Status

 

At a final score of 4, we are doing pretty awesomely in this category, especially when you take into account our size and resources.  Proficient!

Looking Ahead

• Support more formal training of staff in multiple areas including technology and youth development.
• Create an ADAAG compliant Teen Lounge.
• This is a small project with big rewards.  The most glaring crime our Teen Lounge has committed is the accessibility of the section as a whole due to the narrow walkways between the shelves and the seating area.  At its narrowest, the Lounge is six inches shy of the minimum requirement.  By moving our faux wall (created by a row of shelves) outward, we sacrifice a small amount of room in our Computer Lab, but gain a noticeably roomier section that is more accessible for a wider audience.  We hope to have some of our volunteers assist us in the man-power behind this soon.