On this page, you will find two examples of successful GLBTQ programs, already implemented in their respective libraries. Read on to get inspired and try something similar in your library today!!!
New York Public Library Anti-Prom
Check out this article, http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/06/a-prom-for-students-who-dont-want-one/?ref=todayspaper, from the New York Times hailing New York Public Library's 7th Annual Anti-Prom event, which drew over 600 teenagers from every corner of the city.
The Anti-Prom is all about coming together and celebrating everyone's unique differences, and breaking free of the mold of traditional proms, with their staunchy formal wear and same-sex couples.
According to the article, Chris Shoemaker, the head of teen programming at NYPL, attested that "Prom is a big theme in young adult books, and the reaction we got from a lot of teens is that they hated the prom and wanted to do something else,...'The reaction we got was that ‘prom isn’t for us.’ Some teens felt that because they might want to attend with a same-sex partner, they wouldn’t be accepted at their prom."
Kalamazoo Public Library "Get Real @ Your Library"
In 2005, in conjunction with the Teen Read Week theme of "Get Real @ Your Library," the Teen Advisory Board at the Kalamazoo Public Library opted to center programming activities around the "real issue" of GLBTQ teens. Librarian Kevin A. King, orchestrated an author visit from David Levithan, and utilized his book, Boy Meets Boy to cement the program's GLBTQ Get Real theme. In his article, "Author Visits, Or Hobnobbing With The Semi-Rich And Literate," King details collaborating with local GLBTQ-friendly organizations, securing funding for the author visit as well as applying for a GLBTQ-themed grant, and dealing with media and potential community upheaval. King presents excellent tips for how to wholeheartedly embrace the GLBTQ-theme in teen library programming.
Sources:
King, Kevin A. R. "Author Visits, Or Hobnobbing With The Semi-Rich And Literate." Voice Of Youth Advocates 28.6 (2006):
470-473. Web. November 8 2012.
New York Times Website, http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/06/a-prom-for-students-who-dont-want-one/?ref=todayspaper, Web. 6 November 2012.
New York Public Library Anti-Prom
Check out this article, http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/06/a-prom-for-students-who-dont-want-one/?ref=todayspaper, from the New York Times hailing New York Public Library's 7th Annual Anti-Prom event, which drew over 600 teenagers from every corner of the city.
The Anti-Prom is all about coming together and celebrating everyone's unique differences, and breaking free of the mold of traditional proms, with their staunchy formal wear and same-sex couples.
According to the article, Chris Shoemaker, the head of teen programming at NYPL, attested that "Prom is a big theme in young adult books, and the reaction we got from a lot of teens is that they hated the prom and wanted to do something else,...'The reaction we got was that ‘prom isn’t for us.’ Some teens felt that because they might want to attend with a same-sex partner, they wouldn’t be accepted at their prom."
Kalamazoo Public Library "Get Real @ Your Library"
In 2005, in conjunction with the Teen Read Week theme of "Get Real @ Your Library," the Teen Advisory Board at the Kalamazoo Public Library opted to center programming activities around the "real issue" of GLBTQ teens. Librarian Kevin A. King, orchestrated an author visit from David Levithan, and utilized his book, Boy Meets Boy to cement the program's GLBTQ Get Real theme. In his article, "Author Visits, Or Hobnobbing With The Semi-Rich And Literate," King details collaborating with local GLBTQ-friendly organizations, securing funding for the author visit as well as applying for a GLBTQ-themed grant, and dealing with media and potential community upheaval. King presents excellent tips for how to wholeheartedly embrace the GLBTQ-theme in teen library programming.
Sources:
King, Kevin A. R. "Author Visits, Or Hobnobbing With The Semi-Rich And Literate." Voice Of Youth Advocates 28.6 (2006):
470-473. Web. November 8 2012.
New York Times Website, http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/06/a-prom-for-students-who-dont-want-one/?ref=todayspaper, Web. 6 November 2012.