Sometimes when we think of libraries, we may tend to think of small children who are learning to read, but we must not forget the teens. We start to lose our readers when they begin to struggle with reading. We can lose them completely in their teen years if we are not careful to cultivate their interests, and they can be the most difficult to reach. Librarians can be the most critical resource we have.
The Learning Commons model fits with the YALSA national framework for the needs of teens now and in the future, shifting from the library as a space driven by staff and arranged by staff according to staff needs to one driven by teen needs, programmed and led by teens, coaches, community partners and coordinated by library staff.
The Future of Library Services for and with Teens: A Call to Action.