Strong Teams, Strong Teens
Oak Park Public Library
Innovation Synopsis
Oak Park Public Library’s Middle and High School Services created an intentional model for a cohesive and youth centered team. Designed and led by the manager and brought to life through staff expertise, the model blends continuous professional learning, peer teaching, team building, cross departmental collaboration, weekly team meetings, and reflective practice. Guided by our mission to be a lifelong partner in learning and discovery, our vision empowers 6-12th graders to explore, connect, and thrive, and to embrace the library as a resource at every stage. Developed over four and a half years, the model advanced significantly this past year with a focus on bias awareness, individual strengths, and how each staff member shows up for teens and for one another. Alongside teamwide learning, every staff member pursued individualized professional development. The result is a confident and trusted team that advances equitable outcomes for teens and strengthens Oak Park’s youth ecosystem.
Challenge/Opportunity
Growth from two staff to a multidisciplinary team required an intentional shared identity and practice rather than assuming cohesion would emerge organically. Demand from schools and youth organizations outpaced capacity, which meant we needed clear structures for alignment and collaboration. Equitable teen engagement also required bias awareness, trauma informed practice, and de-escalation skills. At the same time there was an opportunity to recognize and leverage individual strengths while aligning to a common mission and vision. Our aim was to create a sustainable and scalable model that strengthens teen outcomes and can be replicated.
Key Elements of Innovation
The model is a continuous cycle of learning, reflection, relationship building, and planning rather than a single training. Our annual learning plan covers trauma informed engagement, bias awareness, de-escalation, and program planning. StrengthsFinder aligns individual strengths to roles and projects, and peer learning positions staff as learners and experts through trainings and share outs. Weekly team meetings function as a think tank for collaboration and feedback. Cross team collaboration supports major programs and partner-initiated engagements, with coordination from Public Services, Collections and Special Collections, and Communications, and stewardship of the teen space, safety, wayfinding, and technology. Trust building includes a Peace circle, and annual fall visioning sets priorities. This year we emphasized individual contribution through individualized professional development, frequent check ins, feedback loops, and staff led initiatives aligned to our mission/vision.
Achieved Outcomes
Over four and a half years the team scaled from two staff to seven plus a manager and established a shared youth centered culture with consistent operations across programs, partnerships, and daily service. In the past year partner initiated off site engagements totaled 35 school year visits. Programs averaged between ten and fourteen teens per session. As of June 30, 2026 we averaged 1,197 non unique student interactions per month. We served as a recurring partner for high school Wellness Days and supported regular class visits and invitations, and we issued 225 student library cards through these collaborations. A Chicago YMCA selected MHS for two youth visits because of our welcoming environment and resources. Peer learning strengthened confidence, collaboration, and consistency. One staff member noted, the intentional time for relationships and reflection made me more confident to bring new ideas. A student shared, the library helped build my confidence to talk more & ask for help.
