The teen collection serves as a transition between the youth collection and the adult collection and provides materials which particularly relate to the current interests and personal growth of middle and high-school age adolescents.
1. Print materials
a. Teen fiction [General interest level]
The teen fiction collection is designed to meet the recreational reading needs of teens. Most material selected for this collection is written especially for young adults, based on subject matter and reading level. Crossover titles that meet the reading needs of both teens and adults may also be selected. Selectors will coordinate with appropriate adult selectors to minimize unnecessary duplication. Selection criteria include popularity, style, characterization, and literary merit.
b. Teen non-fiction [General interest level]
The teen non-fiction collection primarily includes material written specifically for teens. Crossover titles that meet the reading needs of both teens and adults may also be selected. Selectors will coordinate with appropriate adult selectors to minimize unnecessary duplication. The collection is designed to address topics of particular interest to teens, rather than to meet a wide range of information needs. Materials written primarily for adults about teenagers, as well as materials that meet general information needs are acquired for the adult non-fiction collection.
c. Teen paperbacks [General interest level]
A small collection of paperback books is maintained for young adults who want to read popular titles in mass-market format. This collection mainly consists of genre fiction but it also includes classics and popular non-fiction. Customer demand is an important consideration in the selection of material for this collection and titles in high demand are usually included.
d. Teen language [Out of Scope]
Non-English language materials are not included in the teen collection. However, materials of interest to teens are selected for the Youth language collection.
e. Teen Graphic Novels [General interest level]
Graphic novels are book-length collections of sequential art containing a single story or a set of interrelated stories. Collections of comic strips are included. Other Illustrated books, as well as non-illustrated books featuring superheroes or cartoon characters, are not included.
The Teen Graphic Novel collection consists primarily of fiction designed to meet the recreational reading needs of teens. Main characters are generally teenagers or preteens and the subject matter is of specific interest to young adults. The collection may also include non-fiction and classics in the graphic novel format and illustrated works about graphic novels. The needs of reluctant readers and readers whose first language is not English are considered. Selections are based on professional reviews, customer requests, and the popularity of styles, authors, characters, and series. With limited funds, however, representative titles from many different series are acquired rather than a large number of titles in just a few series. Materials which are not constructed to withstand normal library use and circulation are generally not acquired.
f. Teen periodicals [Basic level]
A limited number of magazine titles is selected for young adults. Only popular magazines that reflect the specific interests of teens are included.
2. Non-print materials
a. Teen compact discs and audiocassettes
i. Spoken word [Basic level]
A small number of audiobooks are included in the teen collection. Only materials that are of specific interest to teens are selected. Titles that appear on required reading lists or appeal to reluctant readers are preferred. Most titles are purchased in CD format. Audiocassettes may be selected based on anticipated use, demand, availability and cost.
ii. Music [Out of scope]
The teen collection does not include music CDs or cassettes; however, titles in the adult collection which have a direct appeal to teens may be promoted in the teen area.
b. Teen DVDs and videocassettes
The collection consists of a limited number of educational and entertainment programs in DVD and/or VHS format. The collection is intended for home use and not for curriculum support. Most titles are purchased in DVD format. VHS videocassettes may be selected based on anticipated use, demand, availability and cost.
i. Entertainment [Basic level]
The primary focus of this collection is on films which have adapted young adult literature for the screen in award-winning fashion. Entertainment DVDs and videos are acquired for this collection only when their content is specifically aimed for or of interest to teens. The quality of the production and of the literature are both important selection criteria. Award-winning films and films of particular interest to the community which are not related to young adult literature are also included.
ii. Educational [Basic level]
A limited number of DVDs and/or videos are selected to specifically reflect young adult interests and experiences, such as driver education.
