Serving Latino teens

This book discusses library services to Hispanic/Latino teens, highlighting best practices, examining relevant and responsive services and programs, and reframing existing approaches to serving this segment of the population.

Latino teens within Generation Y or Generation Z are bilingual and bicultural. As such, these teenagers have varied characteristics that present unique conditions and challenges for librarians. Serving Latino Teens not only explains why providing targeted services to Latino teens is so critical, but it also shows librarians and teen providers exactly how to best reach this demographic.

Author Salvador Avila, a noted expert and popular lecturer on providing library services to Latino and Spanish speaking-communities, offers ideas and strategies that can be easily duplicated. Grounded in empirical evidence, this book presents what research has indicated is important to teens, Latinos in particular; demonstrates how to incorporate relevant literature into your services; and describes the cultural, social, economic, psychological, technological, and sexual characteristics of this emerging population. This title will be immensely helpful to public and school librarians as well as social services providers who work with Latino teens and soon-to-be teens ages 11 through 18.

• Series Foreword p. ix
• Introduction p. xiii
• 1 Who are Latino Teens? p. 1
• Characteristics of Latino Teens p. 2
• Speaking and Cultural Aptitude Types p. 3
• Generation Ñ p. 4
• Staff Perceptions p. 6
• U.S.-Born versus New Americans p. 7
• References p. 9
• 2 Issues p. 11
• Six Social Issues p. 12
• Teen Pregnancy p. 13
• Gangs and Criminal Behavior p. 15
• Dropouts p. 17
• Educational Achievement p. 19
• Hate Speech and Hate Crimes p. 21
• Parental Guidance p. 21
• References p. 24
• 3 Relationship Building p. 27
• Parent Involvement p. 28
• Latino Teens Are No Surprise p. 29
• New Competencies Required p. 30
• Fostering Awareness p. 31
• Proactive Is the Key to Success p. 33
• Humor p. 34
• Action Learning Activities p. 35
• References p. 36
• 4 Services p. 37
• Have a Service Plan p. 38
• Strategic Planning p. 39
• Chattanooga Public Library p. 40
• Las Vegas-Clark County Library District p. 40
• Technology p. 41
• Think Outside the Wall p. 45
• References p. 47
• 5 Collection Development p. 49
• Which One Is It-English or Spanish? p. 50
• Cross-Promote Book Titles p. 50
• Must Have Core Collection Points p. 52
• Space Allocation for Latino Teen Materials p. 52
• Lengua Fresca p. 54
• Teen Books p. 55
• Magazines p. 56
• Music p. 58
• TV Shows p. 59
• Movies p. 60
• Online Booklists p. 62
• References p. 64
• 6 Programs p. 65
• Seattle Public Library Community Survey Summary p. 65
• Leadership Initiatives p. 67
• Employment Programs p. 67
• Day of the Dead Celebration p. 69
• Si Se Puede/Yes We Can! p. 70
• References p. 72
• 7 Marketing p. 73
• Prominent Techniques p. 74
• Early Intervention p. 75
• Reaching Latino Teens p. 76
• Generation Ñ p. 77
• Marketing versus Other Approaches p. 77
• The Patron or You p. 79
• Who Is Herculez Gomez? p. 80
• References p. 82
• 8 Motivational Strategies p. 83
• Parent Involvement p. 84
• Spanish-Language Motivational Speakers and Books p. 85
• Who versus Why p. 89
• High-Achieving Females p. 90
• Librarians as Forward Thinkers p. 91
• Conclusion p. 92
• References p. 92
• Appendix A p. 95
• Appendix B Caló Glossary p. 105
• Appendix C Web sites p. 109
• Appendix D Graphic Novels in Spanish p. 115
• Appendix E Did You Know? p. 121
• Index p. 123