Self Defense in the Library

Madeline, Marlene and I worked on creating a self-defense program for the NYPL’s 96th Street branch. We would hope to collaborate with Buzz Martial Arts, a nearby martial arts school, and market it by reaching out on social media, and with various schools and youth groups. We figured this would be successful because:

• Many teens are left feeling vulnerable, especially considering the past month’s rise in hate crimes and harassment. The teens will likely find this empowering, and can help to stifle some of the repression that they may have been feeling.
• We hope that teaching teens to defend themselves can reduce violence that they might face, and can know what to do in the case of assault. It’s important to learn how to handle confrontation in a healthy way.
• The non-traditional program could bring patrons into the library who might not have been patrons beforehand, which is more difficult for less active programs.
• It’s not a commonly held program idea, but similar programs had been held in other libraries across the countries, just not for teens.

Elevator Speech

Why do I want to be a teen librarian? Because there are so many things that make the teen experience unique and difficult, and it was difficult for me as a teen to not feel alone. I think that librarians are in an amazing position to help people in difficult positions, whether it helps them escape in a book, helping them with relevant information, or just by providing them with a rare communal space to be social. The library is so equipped for a group that have few open outlets, and I want to be the person to supply that space.

I’ve always had a great degree of empathy for others, and to provide everyone with assistance and fairness. I’ve always been an open ear for those who need to talk about difficult problems, and this is sometimes exactly what teens need. Adults who don’t judge them, who don’t make assumptions about them, and make them feel like they belong.

Don’t Forget to Praise Yourself

Carrie Kitchen talks in Question 2 of Real-World Teen Services about the harrowing and stressful experience of being the sole teen librarian in a large library.  There are so many burdens that are put on you when you’re the only teen librarian. You plan the programs; you build the collection; and you take the flak whenever something goes wrong. You’re the cause of every noisy teen or rule violation. It’s an incredible responsibility, but it also has the potential to create an immense form of pride.

You are the sole curator of the teen experience in this library. That means that every time a teen finds a perfect book, that’s on you. Every time a teen makes a new friend at a program you created, you’re the cause. Every time a teen feels comfortable asking a reference question about a really serious and delicate issue, it’s because you were able to make them feel comfortable.

There are so many challenges that you’ll face, and so many logistical nightmares. But if you are in this position, and you’re doing your job, it’s so important to remind yourself how proud you should be.

Works Cited:

Velásquez, J. (2015). Real-world teen services. Chicago: ALA editions.