• How to Organize a Teen Friends of the Library Group from FOLUSA
• Tips for starting and maintaining a TAG by Lisa Matte of Jervis Public Library in Rome, NY.
• The Who What Where When Why and How of Managing a Teen Advisory Board by RoseMary Honnold of Coshocton Public Library in Ohio.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

• What is this?
  • This site is devoted to all things having to do with Teen Advisory Groups. The collector strives to provide links to actual TAG documents and web sites when possible.
• How do I contribute?
  • If you know of a TAG related item to add, please email me. I will happily accept snail mail documents that I will transform into electronic format and links to web sites would be great, too.
• What is TAGAD-L?
  • No site about TAGs could go without mentioning this electronic "discussion forum for the advisors of any public library teen advisory group or board." (From topica description written by list owner) It was started by Steve Miller, advocate of teen participation in libraries. This is by far the best forum I have found to discuss teens and libraries. The contributors have great ideas that have already been tested and they actually like, even love, working with teens.
• How do I sign up for TAGAD-L?

Join TAGAD-L!

You may already have a TAG and not know it. A TAG by any other name is still a TAG. Here are some Teen Advisory Groups' other names. Some are creative, some are descriptive. Have your teens try them on for size.

• ASIF!--Advisory Students in an Interactive Function
• CATS--Council of Advisory Teens
• CTA--Council of Teen Advisors
• P.S.S.T. --Penrose Super Squad for Teens-- (Penrose branch in Colorado Springs)
• S.C.A.L.E.
• S.P.L.A.T.! (Shenendehowa Public Library Advisory Teens (NY))
• TAB--Teen Advisory Board
• TAC--Teen Advisory Club
• TAC--Teen Advisory Council
• TAG--Teen Advocate Group
• TLC--Teen Library Council
• YAAB--Young Adult Advisory Board
• YAAC--Young Adult Advisory Committee
• YAC--Youth Advisory Committee
• YAG--Youth Advisory Group
• YAK--Youth Advisory Kult--Peabody, MA

Sample Applications to Join

• Coshocton (OH) Public Library
• New Carlisle Public Library (OH)
• Pasco County (FL) Library System (scroll down for the application)

Sample TAG Mission Statements or What does your TAG do?

• Appleton (WI) Public Library
• Bettendorf Public Library (IA)
• Boca Raton Public Library (LA)
• Grace A. Dow Memorial Library (Midland, MI)
• Haverhill (MA) Public Library This is a great one with a list of job duties and qualifications!
• Jervis Public Library in Rome, NY
• Mabel C. Fry Public Library (Yukon, OK)
• New Carlisle Public Library (OH)
• Peoria, IL

Sample meeting agendas and what TAGs do at meetings

• Appleton (WI) Public Library
• Jervis Public Library(Rome, NY)
• New Carlise Public Library's(OH) online meeting notes

Bylaws

• Teen Advisory Board of the Grace A. Dow Memorial Library (Midland, MI)

Samples of what TAGs and teen volunteers can do

TAG publications on the web

• York Libraries Teen Council EZine Slant (York, PA)

TAGs on the Web (Sites with more than a short description of what the group does are listed here.)

• Arlington County, Virginia (school and public)
• Haverhill (MA) Public Library
• North Liberty Community Library (Iowa)
• Phoenix Public Library
• Skokie Public Library (IL)

Managing Volunteers

• Cyber VPM is, according to Steve Miller, "Chock-full of useful articles, tidbits, trips and tricks, and general wholesome goodness. Yes, its for professional Volunteer Program Managers, but the advice is practical and, for the most part, applicable to any non-profit."
• Merrill Associate's Volunteer Job Descriptions can be used in managing a teen volunteer program. (Link contributed by Steve Miller)

Compiled and maintained by Lisa Matte, Teen Services Librarian at Jervis Public Library in Rome, NY

Email me with questions or comments at LMatte@midyork.org

Return to the library's Young Adult Home Page

Created 2/20/01

Updated 07/06 by NCI