Media Contact
Beth Dempsey, 248.349.7810 or beth@bethdempsey.com
June 24, 2007 (WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- The Nashville Public Library’s T.O.T.A.L. (Totally Outstanding Teen Advocates for the Library) Program was presented with the 2007 Urban Libraries Council (ULC)/Highsmith Award of Excellence at the organization’s annual conference. The award honors North America’s best library youth programming and includes a cash prize of $1,000.
T.O.T.A.L. employs high school students to coordinate and conduct library outreach to youth and to help the library implement their ideas. The program has three goals: conceive programming for teens by teens; build a ready corps of speakers to represent the library at community events; and create positive change in the community.
“The role of the library in enriching the lives of urban youth is an integral part of ULC’s focus. Highlighting programs that can be models for others is essential to improving outreach to kids by all libraries,” said Martín Gómez, president of ULC. “T.O.T.A.L. is an excellent example of success built by working with and listening to kids about what they need from the library.”
T.O.T.A.L. staff complete extensive training, attending seminars and discussions through community partners. The staff also receive training in leadership, teamwork, project planning, time management, diversity sensitivity, conflict resolution and public speaking, as well as library skills. Their broad training was conceived to give the team members skills that allow independence. “While they receive the same library support services as any other library department, they fully conceive, plan and carry out their own agenda,” said Elyse Adler, Nashville Public Library’s Research and Special Projects Administrator.
Since 2005 T.O.T.A.L. has presented more than 100 public library programs, with attendance that attracts 250 young adults per quarter. Coincidentally, library card registration is up 61% among teens and circulation of young adult materials is up 21%.
“T.O.T.A.L.’s advocacy efforts have reached much further than we ever predicted,” said Adler. “The teens are now called upon by staff members all over the library system to lend their assistance at major events… from library card registration at the Mayor’s First Day of School Celebration to speaking on our behalf to high school audiences.”
The ULC/Highsmith Award of Excellence was founded in 1995 and honors library programs that contribute to positive youth development in urban areas. Judges evaluate programs based on three elements: the program is developed with youth; it results in youth contributing to their communities, having meaningful relationships with adults and peers, and developing personal and social skills; and, it helps prepare youth for educational and personal challenges. Learn more about this and other ULC awards at www.urbanlibraries.org.
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