Reimagining Teen Services: What The Future of Library Services for and with Teens Calls Us to Do

By Kat Foster

Braun, L. W., Hartman, M. L., Hughes-Hassell, S., Kumasi, K., & Yoke, B. (2014). The Future of Library Services for and with Teens: A Call to Action. YALSA. https://www.ala.org/sites/default/files/yaforum/content/YALSA_nationalforum_Final_web_0.pdf

Summary:

This YALSA report makes a strong argument that libraries cannot serve today’s teens using yesterday’s models. Braun et al. emphasize that libraries must shift from simply providing books and quiet study areas to becoming dynamic learning environments where teens can explore interests, build digital and media literacies, and connect with supportive adults. The report highlights the persistent equity gaps that shape young people’s daily lives, especially around technology access, educational opportunity, and representation. It stresses that teen services must be culturally relevant, socially just, and intentionally designed to meet the needs of marginalized youth.

A major theme throughout the report is the importance of connected learning, experiences that link teens’ academic, social, and personal worlds. The authors call for libraries to redesign programs, spaces, staffing, and partnerships so they actively support teen-driven inquiry, creation, and leadership. Libraries should no longer be “for teens,” but with teens, centering their voices in decision-making and service design.

Evaluation:

I appreciated how directly this report names the structural inequities that shape teen experiences. It’s easy to talk about libraries as welcoming spaces, but Braun et al. remind us that teens’ real needs go far beyond access to books. When we think about collection development and connection development, the report pushes us to look at whether our collections actually reflect the cultures, identities, and digital realities of the youth we serve. It also challenges us to think beyond formal programming. Informal learning, spontaneous collaboration, and teen-led projects are equally important pieces of a modern library ecosystem.

This focus on digital and media literacy feels especially relevant. Many teens rely on the library for technology support, and the report makes it clear that providing devices is just the first step. Libraries should be preparing young people to analyze information, create media, navigate online spaces safely, and advocate for themselves in digital environments. That kind of work reshapes the role of staff as well, moving from gatekeepers to mentors and co-learners.

Overall, the report serves as both a critique and an inspiration. It reinforces that meaningful teen services require flexibility, community partnerships, and a willingness to rethink traditional models. I can see this framework shaping how librarians approach everything from space design to collection development to day-to-day interactions with teens. It’s a call to build libraries where all teens feel seen, supported, and genuinely invited to participate.

Unlocking Digital Archives: Cross-Disciplinary Perspectives on AI and Born-Digital Data

Syed, Sara Asad

Jaillant, L., & Caputo, A. (2022). Unlocking digital archives: cross-disciplinary perspectives on AI and born-digital data. AI & society, 37(3), 823-835.

Summary: This article explores the barriers to accessing born-digital archives in cultural institutions like libraries, museums, and archives. It highlights how most born-digital materials such as emails, web archives, and digital records are "dark" (inaccessible) due to privacy concerns, copyright restrictions, commercial sensitivities, and technical challenges. Using examples like the British Library's Wendy Cope email archive and the National Library of Scotland's Data Foundry, the authors argue that archives overly prioritize risk aversion, contrasting this with tech giants like Google that exploit data maximization. They propose solutions like secure online access systems, consortia modeled on HathiTrust for born-digital content, and AI machine learning applications for sensitivity review. However, the paper also warns of AI pitfalls, including biases, errors, "black box" opacity, and ethical issues like fairness and transparency. The conclusion emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration to make archives more accessible while upholding ethical standards.

Evaluation: This article correlates well with collection management, especially around balancing access, preservation, and ethical stewardship in digital environments. In collection development, we're taught to prioritize user needs and inclusivity, but the authors show how privacy and copyright laws can stifle that. It is frustrating to think of valuable resources like personal emails or web snapshots sitting unused because institutions fear lawsuits or damage to their reputation. Practical suggestions like building secure online platforms or AI-assisted sensitivity reviews, could transform how we manage born-digital collections. For instance, integrating machine learning tools could help with weeding and appraisal processes, making large-scale collections more feasible without overwhelming staff resources. However there are ethical concerns. Biases in training data could perpetuate underrepresentation of marginalized voices. Overall, it reinforces the need for librarians to collaborate with tech experts and advocate for policy changes. I'm inspired to explore AI ethics more in my own research, perhaps focusing on how small libraries could adopt these tools affordably. This piece is a great reminder that collection management in the digital age is not just about acquiring items but ensuring that they are ethically and equitably usable.

Intersectionality: the Importance of Prioritizing Inclusion in an Increasingly Hostile World

Armstrong, Spencer 

Bosman, E. (2023). The Availability of Spanish Language LGBTQ Nonfiction Books in the United States-Mexico Borderland. Collection Management, 48(3), 257-281. https://doi.org/10.1080/01462679.2023.2172508  

This article evaluates the availability of Spanish language LGBTQ+ nonfiction books in libraries near the United States/Mexico border. It found that such items were present in each examined library, although the amount of materials available varied in volume depending on each institution's average budget. This demonstrates an unwavering commitment to their community's needs. Examining their patrons' needs will allow them to continue building up their collection's materials on this topic at a level appropriate for their specific community.  

Intersectional materials, such as Spanish language LGBTQ+ nonfiction books, are often considered to be a niche interest rather than a key part of a community's collection needs. Although the importance of any specialized topic varies based on a community's demographics, it is important to conduct research into their interests to better meet their information needs over time. Although budgets can be a potential concern when attempting to purchase such materials for a collection, it is important to note that even small libraries were able to include Spanish language LGBTQ+ nonfiction books in their collections once they were identified as a priority. 

It is important for information professionals to identify which "niche" interests their community holds that are not being adequately represented in their current collection. Oftentimes, the very nature of intersectionality will prove that many "niche" topics are inclusive of many community members. As a result, identifying these interests greatly benefits both collection and connection development. 

Subject-Specific Policy Statements: A Rationale and Framework for Collection Development.

McGuigan, G. S., & White, G. W. (2003). Subject-Specific Policy Statements: A Rationale and Framework for Collection Development. Acquisitions Librarian, 15(30), 15. https://doi-org.libaccess.sjlibrary.org/10.1300/J101v15n30_03

Summary:

McGuigan and White argue that traditional, library-wide collection development policies are often too broad to meet the nuanced needs of specialized subject areas. They present subject-specific policy statements as a more effective alternative, enabling libraries to articulate clearer goals, define collection boundaries, and communicate the distinctive characteristics of individual subject collections. The authors emphasize that creating detailed subject-based policies supports librarians in managing resources more effectively and helps patrons better understand what to expect from particular collections.

Evaluation: 

The passage presents a clear and well-reasoned argument for the value of subject-specific collection development policies within libraries. It effectively contrasts traditional, library-wide policies, which are characterized as overly broad and insufficient for addressing nuanced disciplinary needs with more detailed subject-based policies that offer clarity and precision. By emphasizing the benefits of subject-specific approaches, such as improved communication of collection goals, enhanced support for librarians, and better guidance for patrons with specialized research needs, the text highlights the practical advantages of tailoring policies to particular subject areas.

A notable strength of the passage is its articulation of how subject-based policies function not only as guiding documents but also as strategic tools. The discussion underscores that developing these policies requires close analysis of the current collection, an understanding of user needs, and forward-looking planning, activities essential to maintaining a relevant and robust collection. The reference to McGuigan and White strengthens the argument by grounding it in professional discourse and demonstrating that concerns about overly general policies are recognized within the field.

Artificial Intelligence (AI): A Transformative Force, Redefining the Landscape of Modern Libraries

Robbins, Nicholas

Mondal, D. (2025). Artificial Intelligence (AI): A Transformative Force, Redefining the Landscape of Modern Libraries. INQEST-Peer-reviewed Multidisciplinary Online Research journal, 3(1), 15-23.

 

The article explores how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming modern libraries by reshaping their operations, services, and user experiences. As libraries evolve alongside technological advances, AI has become a powerful tool for improving efficiency, accessibility, and personalization of information services. Important AI applications include cataloging, indexing, information retrieval, document matching, citation mapping, summarization, robotic process automation, and chat bot based user support. These technologies enable faster handling of large datasets, more accurate discovery of resources, and round the clock service availability. The article also discusses talks about how AI enhances service quality and operational efficiency by automating repetitive tasks, reducing human error, supporting data-driven decision-making, while freeing librarians to focus on complex research support and community engagement. Tools such as machine learning, natural language processing, speech recognition, and expert systems are central to digital and virtual library systems. The concept of the Smart Library illustrates AI’s future role, featuring self service facilities, remote management, and personalized user access through intelligent devices.

 

I like this article because it acknowledges the challenges, including high costs, the need for specialized expertise, potential job displacement, skills shortages, data bias, and AI’s limited ability to generalize across tasks. Being realistic about the current limitations of exciting new technology is important. The article also highlights the importance of data and AI literacy, positioning librarians as educators in responsible technology use. The article concludes that AI is not replacing libraries or librarians but redefining their roles, allowing them to become leaders in information innovation. With ethical adoption and proactive skill development, AI offers a huge potential to enhance access to knowledge, improve service delivery, and build more inclusive and responsive libraries for the future.

A study of Croatian public libraries: Challenges and opportunities in embracing artificial intelligence.

Todaro, Alyssa

Vrana, R. (2025). A study of Croatian public libraries: Challenges and opportunities in embracing artificial intelligence. Public Library Quarterly (New York, N.Y.), 1–23. https://doi.org/10.1080/01616846.2025.2458378 

This article is an exploration of the implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Croatian public libraries and the librarians' awareness of AI technology as it relates to the future of library science. The researches found that most implementation of AI technology focuses on the enhancement of existing library operations and services with limited original concepts/solutions using AI technology. 

It's interesting to learn about the implementation of AI in international libraries and consider how the challenges they are facing are similar and different to those of libraries in the United States. The research results provide insight into how librarians are currently implementing AI, what areas of librarianship could benefit from AI, and the perceived benefits of AI. This article is helpful when considering the broad scope of AI applications in the library and what potential barriers might exist to successful application.

Amazon searches and the future of AI in libraries

 Hi All--

There is an interesting report by two of Amazon's researchers about how it ranks its searches. This study was conducted by Daria Sorokina and Erick Cantu-Paz. Daria went to Lomonosov Moscow State University for her master's degree and then to Cornell University for her PhD. Erick went to Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México for his bachelor's degree and then to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign for his PhD. They both worked for Amazon--A9, which developed Amazon's search engines for all of its sites--when the report was written and published the report for an international conference where it was reviewed.

Amazon's report is specifically about how Amazon ranks its products in search results to be relevant to customers. Amazon trains its searches. This means that it focuses on how consumers react to its results and modifies them to be popular with them. The researchers' methodology was to record consumer reactions--purchases--and then, through several models, produce more relevant results. An additional method was to count searches to see whether the relevant search, the purchase, happened with relatively few searches.

Search engines can be quite complicated because they must be the store clerk and the store all at once. That means that they must guess what the customer wants and so must be able to interpret language and cues from the customer. Thus, search engines must use natural language processing (NLP) to judge whether, for instance, a customer wanted a "casual dress" as in something a girl might wear and not dress shoes. Search engine calibration was done partly beforehand and also live through customer responses and data analysis. There were, apparently, discrepancies between what consumers wanted at the top of the page and what consumers bought.

This is applicable to public library technology use because we use search engines all the time and, increasingly, AI. By training searches and correctly interpreting prompts, we can redirect to the right book, for instance. Thus, NLP is very important for automated understanding of when people do not know which book they want. AI is a major improvement on more traditional Google-like keyword searches but can often misunderstand major changes in prompts--it's an inductive machine, primarily--and hallucinates. Time will tell whether further improvements will fix this.

--Nicholas Bullen

References

Cantu-Paz, E. & Daria, S. (2016). Amazon search: the joy of ranking products. SIGIR.  http://doi.org/10.1145/2911451.2926725