So much to summarize

Whoa, so all of the reading about "identity" and who we are and the changing of hats and who we are expected to be just came to a halt when I was checking my e-mail (definitely NOT procrastinating doing my homework, no, no!) and felt for the very first time like I was cyber-bullied! A day care parent must have put on a red hat with horns before she sat down to write me the message and it left me wondering what got into her...do I really even know her - alter ego apparently.

My first response was to think of this parent as I know her through our daily interactions of drop-off and pick-up and our funny antidotes (her daughter proclaiming that her favorite vegetable is a jelly bean) that we exchange and the big achievements (little "insert name" washed her hands without being reminded after using the potty today-hooray) that we share...we communicate openly and work together as a team to provide the best care possible for her child. That is the identity that I relate to this parent, but I saw a very different side when I read her e-mail, which brings me to the role identity plays online and within the issues of "screen mean" people. I think everyone is prone to this syndrome, the whole idea that it is easier to say something rude or cutting when you are typing away, feeling frustrated or angry and then you hit "send" and it's too late - you cannot take it back! This is an example of people not thinking as clearly when they react to a situation since their "identities are hidden behind a computer screen" (Elizabeth Winchester). I am probably especially riled about this too because I have been reading up on the topic and came across the above quoted article in Time for Kids and then an article in Teen Voices, that reminded Internet users to "Be ethical: Maintain the same behavior online as in real life. Sometimes people forget that there's a human being on the other side of the computer, and they think that there is a lower standard of ethics or personal behavior acceptable in cyberspace" (Teen Voices).

I feel like the example of the day care parent turned rude and mean behind the shield of a computer screen could translate into a teen doing the same - either easing the ability to bully peers at a safe yet still invasive distance or also for teens who are identified one way to experiment with and exhibit different personas...anyway, I've gone off on a tangent but most simply said:

I think that modern teens who are struggling with the formation of their identity and consumed by others' perceptions of them are faced with very different challenges than I was as a teen 15+ years ago...although the Internet can act as a forum for positive creative expression (The Digital Girls project cited in Literacy & Identity) and identity exploration, it can also serve as a space to experiment with less desirable or more risky identities which can prove hurtful or damaging in a lot of ways. I know that cyber-bullying is a problem that is definitely on the radar of many schools and parents but unfortunately it is one that is difficult to monitor, so this is an important issue to raise with teens and have accessible information about.

Works Cited:
Winchester, Elizabeth. High-Tech Bullies. Time for Kids, April, 2007.
Jean-Baptise, Christa and Jatara Gray, eds. Caught in the Web: What You Need to Know about Online Safety. Teen Voices, vol. 15,no. 2, 2007.
Williams, Bronwyn T. Literacy & Identity - Girl Power in a digital world: Considering the complexity of gender, literacy, and technology. Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy, vol. 50, no. 4, 2006/2007.

Identity Crisis to the Max

So I have Paris Hilton all figured out, the mystery behind her ways seems so clear now-she is a vampire!! This book takes on so much (hopefully some conclusions will come in a sequel/series...), I had a difficult time figuring out the target audience. I know that De la Cruz has a huge following amongst teen chick-lit fans and I think all of the fashion and high society references would definitely appeal to that genre, but then the history tie-ins with the Mayflower diary and the obscure colony references seem too sophisticated or confusing for that type of light read...it left me wondering if it will find a niche. I personally felt bored and annoyed by all of the brand name dropping and longed for more fulfilling content in the historical area and craved (not raw meat) some answers rather than the thrill of being completely left hanging.

Blue Bloods does address the developmental assets for personal identity, but it was a little too cookie-cutter with the social cliques being made up of the typical outcast (Schuyler/Oliver), jock (Jack), prom queen (Mimi) and the socially mismatched couple (Dylan and Bliss)...the predictability of these characters sort of took away from the intrigue of seeing how their identities would develop. The book touched on many of the typical issues facing teens including: drugs/drinking, sexual relationships, social angst, parental struggles - all of which would appeal to a drama loving teen but would s/he be engaged enough by the plot?! I have no idea, I'm not a vampire fan so it's hard to tell, but I'll be curious to see how others viewed the overall quality of this book.

When Everyone's Personal Identity is at stake...

So after getting over the culture shock of listening to Anansi Boys versus Born to Rock (extremely different experiences, after all of my raving I'm sure you already know which I preferred) and getting into Born to Rock, I came out with some conclusions about my new "personal identity". Perfect timing for this week's theme!

Born to Rock was not my favorite book this semester (it seemed too contrived...and buttoned up so/too nicely at the end) but I learned a lot from "having to read" this book. With hysteria over the collection development assignment swirling around in my head and the residual glee from our presentations, I was able to center myself on striving to be a librarian dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of the patrons. So although this book was not one that I gained any personal fulfillment from, I realize that it probably appeals to so many teens out there and that is what needs to be kept in the forefront of my mind when selecting resources for a young adult collection...for me there is still the struggle of wanting to offer quality literature that will open hearts and minds.

It was obvious what the messages were throughout Born to Rock, and it was nice to see the characters exploring the depths of their identities and sometimes transforming and growing and sometimes sticking with what felt true and natural, I think teens will certainly relate to the overall experiences presented in this book. I also feel like this is such a popular theme for young adult authors and there are other, more realistic and sincere, books to offer a teen struggling with his or her identity. Which brings me back to the collection development piece, I have to remember to have available a broad variety for a diverse audience, and I cannot let MY own personal identity influence or interfere with the development of my patrons.

Trauma in room THIRTEEN

So after class on Saturday, feeling inspired and empowered by our super class presentations I stopped off at Movie Gallery to rent FREEDOM WRITERS...apparently 15 others did too because all copies were out! Still feeling like I wanted a movie that would connect me to teens I rented THIRTEEN (FOX Searchlight Pictures, 2003) and was left feeling more traumatized than inspired! The movie follows a 13 year old on her quest to fit in, which leads her deeper and deeper into drugs, sex, self-destruction and lies - it was terrifying. I expected the movie to center around the teen-age angst; entering high school and trying to figure out who you are and what you want to be is full of stress and risk...I did not expect such intensity and although I kept reassuring my self that this could not be realistic - most of the reviews praised the film's honesty and accuracy.
So yes teens struggle with peer and parental relationships, and especially in a situation like Tracy's where her own parents are unstable, it is never easy. Throughout the movie I just kept thinking how lost everyone seemed and that there was just so much hurting. The scariest part for me was seeing all of the predatory relationships at work, everyone taking advantage of each other's naivety, trust, guilt, ugh it was so depressing. The other thing that bothered me was the double standard for males and females - the brother was out until all hours, doing drugs too and sex crazed but no one seemed phased by that...anyway I think these are real issues and it was eye-opening for sure.
I still cannot figure out if this is a cautionary tale, are teens supposed to watch this and realize how shattered this girl's life became as a result of her risky behaviors...does that work or do teens just take away what they want from it - how cool it would be to go on a shopping spree with friends using stolen money, what a cheap/easy way to get high with a whipped cream container, the cutting and covering up with bracelets...it just all scares me. As a parent, what I took away from this film was a need to remain a positive role model for my children, keep the lines of communication open, find a balance between trust and protection, and to keep making myself watch and read things like this to keep current on what is going on and what signs to look for.

Such a smart group!

I just have to say that I learned SO much in class today...While working on the developmental assets assignment I was so focused on the challenge of finding diverse and accessible resources, that I didn't stop to think that everyone else was doing that too! It felt so time consuming and overwhelming while I was living it, but now that it is over and I realize that collaboratively we have compiled a powerhouse list of ideas, inspirations and recommendations I am so psyched!

Especially now, at the end of the semester, when I am feeling tired and burnt out and wondering why I would put myself through this torture anyway...along come these invaluable lists of resources, programming suggestions, new and fun technology and an energy and enthusiasm that was tapped out of me! I'm enlightened, empowered, and energized again - and ready to get out there and change lives...the peer networking aspect of this project is such a great reward for all of our hard work, now all I need is to find some time to kick back and explore all of the new knowledge at my fingertips!

When Tragedy brings People Together

I have to say that this tragedy at Virgina Tech. has affected so many people's lives, and it is hard at this point to even comment on the "story". This is a situation that is simply unexplainable, no one can make it right and no one can make people feel better-this is a situation when young adults NEED someone to open up and admit that everyone is confused and scared and that it is OKAY to feel like that. It has been on the news non-stop, we now know more about the student who committed this crime, but we don't know exactly what to do with the other students and families affected by this incident.

When I lived in Ireland, as a peace and conflict mediation student, back in 1997-1998, when the peace treaty was broken and I had to explain to my second grade students WHY this was happening...I felt the same way I do right now-helpless. It is so hard to try to explain the hurt and damage done, there is NO rationalization and NO comfort evident to the people who feel the ripple affects of such actions. The best I could do as an adult working with these children in conflict was to just be honest and talk through what I did know, and express my unease and insecurity with what I was not sure about, I was vulnerable too.

Listening to various media interviews; the one resounding message seems to be that although classes have been suspended and students are expected to flea home to their families...the students interviewed are talking about staying on campus and being together with their friends to work through this...it is amazing to see young adults making a choice to stay and face the grisly truth with their peers rather than running home to an easier comfort zone. The fact that they choose to wear their V.T. gear and stay on to support their peers and live through a very mature situation while relying on the support of one another is a very respectable act- my thoughts are with all of those directly and also rippled by this tragic event.

A Disney movie I really DON'T mind watching with my kids!

So I get it now, what all the "hoopla" is about the movie High School Musical! Besides the fun music ( I was so tempted to try the "dance-along" on disc 2 but my son protested) and fairly diverse cast, for Disney anyway, it sent a very valuable message. I started out thinking it must be a parody of school cliques and thought the "evil snotty twins" were just too over the top, but then settled in and realized that this is what pre-teens want...a day in the life of the cool and glamorous kids their own age or a bit older, but funny rather than too heavy or intense. Disney really hit the mark with the music too-it's great to sing along to in a group, it just invites slumber party viewers for years to come!
The movie contained an emotional storyline that pre-teens could relate to and the ultimate message to be yourself, follow your dreams, break through the social boundaries and expectations didn't seem any less inspirational being told by beautiful and talented actors. I was prepared for maximum cheesiness, but have to admit that knowing a bit more about what the target audience is looking for based on my various student interviews, I really think High School Musical is quality work and deserving of it's insane popularity.
Amongst the other positive messages in the movie, the one I appreciated most was the relationship between Troy and his father. As a parent I am maybe a bit hypersensitive about the typical portrayal of parents in Disney movies-wicked, unreasonable, evil, all-powerful, etc...it was just nice to see a parent portrayed as looking out for their child's best interest and having good intentions-yet realizing that "being yourself and in turn being truly happy" can supercede an all-star win or a sports scholarship. I am fine with my son loving toe-nail polish and don't think twice when my daughter wears a tool belt over her tutu for dance class, but if when they are older and my perspective shifts with their levels of self-expression, I hope I can come back around and step up the support like Troy's dad rather than turning into that weird mer-man/octopus thing from The Little Mermaid...
So I'm sure (at least I hope) it's been done all over the country, but this movie would obviously make a great discussion group opportunity for a library trying to lure in this age group. It is a nice, clean, appropriate yet still immensely popular movie that would draw crowds and also affords lots of dynamic discussion topics. It would be a safe and fun way for the group to broach topics including cliques, stereotypes, relationship issues (peer, parental, boyfriend/girlfriend), aspirations and struggles...hey I'd come with my dancing shoes on-but would leave my tool belt at home!

Competence = Confidence or Vice Versa?!

So I not only completed my homework assignment to watch the WB/CW network, I will admit that I also quickly became a teen TV junkie...FAQ by my husband: "What is THIS?!"
Anyway, I will have plenty to contribute to the conversation about the regular programming concerning the accessibility to teen dramas and peeks into the lives of characters that teens may or may not relate to, the choices they make, what is marketed, etc...I'm ready! What I want to highlight most from my binge, is the grateful opportunity that I had to catch "The Brick Awards" on Thursday night...the self-proclaimed "Oscars of Youth Services" which was an amazing project/program!

This awards show honored youth across America that sought to make a difference; whether it be community wide, country wide or globally- these youth were being recognized by pop icons and fellow activists that support the youth volunteers' inspiration in education and commitment to making a difference. I was amazed by the drive and passion expressed by the young adults presented in this awards show. It was NOT a red carpet affair (full of buzz about how people look or who they are with) but it did include guest appearances by celebrities who share a strong belief in the charities and "wish to inspire young active citizens"...that was Lance Armstrong!

It was amazing to see all of the talents and creative elements that young adults posses being tuned into something so positive; their "social competencies" (planning and decision making, interpersonal skills, cultural awareness, resistance skills and peaceful conflict resolution abilities) all contributed to the projects that they initiated, and in turn being recognized for them will build their level of confidence and only motivate them to do more! This is a great example of allowing the general public to view our youth as productive and positive members of our greater community rather than hormonal werewolves to tread lightly around!

So, this feels like an appropriate place to put another personal plug for Berkshire Idol at www.iberkshires.com/berkshireidol...our talent pool represents a group of Berkshire County residents willing to share their gift (that being a singing ability) to raise funds for local United Way Charities: Big Brothers, Big Sisters; The Elizabeth Freeman Center; Northern Berkshire Community Coalition as well as The Berkshire Food Project, representing a diverse group of organizations reaching out to locals of all ages and economics. This charity event enables participants to express themselves creatively, build self/social competence AND give back to a variety of members within their community! It is an amazing event to be a part of, and I won't hog all of that love because for every on-line vote via the web-site above, our sponsor will donate $1 to the cause...so you can see some fun singers, see some ingenious examples of social competency amongst young adults and give to charity all at the click of your mouse...talk about a confidence booster!!

Soccer and Swords

So, with "social competencies" in mind I quickly plowed through the books assigned for this week's class...The Hookup Artist tackled the topics of homosexuality and "interpersonal competencies" without being preachy or presenting the main character's sexual identity as the central topic or problem. Instead, the YA novel touched on the realistic issues faced by all teens when dating/match-making, and the fact that Lucas was a gay male looking for a partner was no bigger deal than his straight counterparts also looking for (or rejecting) love. I liked this about the book, besides the token homophobic jock (just a bad guy overall), the sexual identity piece for Lucas was pretty much a non-issue. This was a fun story about two best friends who have fallen for the same guy-yikes-I think teens would relate to the tension and humor as a result of this predicament, the language and conversations seem to reflect young adults I know (except would all teens appreciate the Spanish dialogue? oh wait "cultural competence"). Most young adults can probably relate however to the sensitive friendship issues raised (not speaking for a week to your best friend, talking behind each other's back, peer pressure...) and will admire the candid yet honest portrayal of the characters, I think this book would have been an easy sell if presented during my teen interviews for the last project!

A stranger but still fun read was Avalon High, a book that also raises many of the struggles faced by teens ( being the new kid, figuring out feelings, jealousy) but with quite a twist...I knew right away where this book was headed-yes the Tennyson quotes gave it away- and I thought I would hate it! I was however pleasantly surprised by the strength of the characters and the obvious, yet not too cheesy tie ins to the Arthurian legend seemed clever rather than lame. I think this book would be a great choice as a curriculum bridge for a reluctant reader or for the class to read together (or be read to) aloud. Cabot makes a heavy and sometimes dull history/literature lesson come alive with characters and side issues that young adults can relate to. Avalon High also addresses the internal assets of social competencies through it's projection of teens overcoming conflict and making difficult decisions through effective problem-solving, sensitivity, oh and an ancient sword!

The Grooove

The Meredith Farkas article, "An Outlet for Creativity: Plugging in with teen-centered podcasting", echoed much of my own research for the developmental assets project. Jessica and I have discovered a local Northern Berkshire group of teens involved in "The Grooove" as a method of self-expression and creativity. According to their homepage (http://www.nbccoalition.org/programs/grooove/index.htm):
"The Grooove is organized by teens, for teens. The Grooove organizes monthly events, including open-microphone coffeehouses ("Grooove Café") and concerts featuring local teen bands." I spoke directly with a teen member of the organization and learned that although she did not perform herself in the Grooove Cafe events, she gains positive peer to peer experiences and works creatively through the event planning and management opportunities. She is an experienced dancer but does not sing so she uses her talents to choreograph the performance routines for her friends and makes sure that things flow smoothly behind the scenes. I couldn't help but feel her enthusiasm when she spoke about the Grooove events and am looking forward to attending one myself to experience first hand the creative sparks flying!

The Cheshire Public Youth Librarian, Sarah Morgan, admitted "Although I am often tempted to rule with an iron hand, I know that would spell doom for the project." In a similar position is the UNITY (United, Neighboring, Interdependent, Trusted Youth) program associate, Kate Merrigan, of the Northern Berkshire Community Coalition. I spoke with Kate about her involvement with the Grooove organization and she agreed that rather than "being the bossy adult and telling them what to do I try to just give them my support, like being the safety net for their high wire act." I loved this quote, and really hit it off with Kate whom I highly respect for her role as an effective youth leader. I have passed the Farkas article along to Kate and the wheels are turning so keep your ears out for some "Grooovy" podcasting hopefully coming soon!

American Libraries. Volume 38, Issue 3, March 2007. Chicago, IL: American Libraries, p. 30.

We all have to eat so why not enjoy it!

So obviously taking this class has added the term "young adult services" to my radar...I see references to it wherever I look now and although my skeptical side feels frustrated by all of the targeted marketing to teens, I do think all the attention to teens as consumers means adults are beginning to respect their diverse wants and needs. One of my other identities is restaurant owner-and the latest issue of Restaurants & Institutions magazine had an article focusing on the consumer and health needs of young adults that I found very interesting.

Overall the article promotes offering a variety of choices for this new generation who are described as more adventurous and sophisticated than the baby boomers or generation X. "This is a generation educated by the Web rather than television, and, according to Nike executive Mary Slayton's often-cited quote in Business Week, "Television drives homogeneity. The Internet drives diversity." The article explains that it was the baby boomer generation who transformed eating out from being a special occasion into being a daily part of life, and now with more access to transportation and even more crowded schedules the challenge for restaurateurs is to appeal to the teens accessing the drive-thru and take-out services, as well as making the dining-in a "unique experience" every time in order to keep the teens coming back.

Although 25% of the teens surveyed said that the restaurants they choose reflect their personalities, the article explains how difficult it can be for restaurant owners to tailor their environment and services to the teens because they are constantly redefining what is "in" and "cool". Anyway, we are a steak and seafood restaurant with a family appeal but also a big following of Williams College students who like that it is a relaxed place to come for a "special occasion" when you are going to spend a bit more on a nice meal - I certainly wouldn't say we have achieved the status of being any young adults' "third space", but we are conscious of teens as independent consumers and welcome their business but don't try to be pushy or in their face about coming back. Article smarticle though, our own research (asking the teens who work in the kitchen why they come to eat at Hobson's Choice on their night off) proves that they like the "good food and good music"!