Compiled by Garner Clancey for YAPA with funding from Western Sydney Area Assistance Scheme, NSW Department of Community Services. 2007. 72 pages.
Contents
- Common Scenarios – Young People and Libraries
- Law, Policies and Rules
- Design, Layout and Observation
- Building Rapport & Communicating with Young People
- Understanding Young People
- Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) Young People
- Dealing with Alcohol & Other Drug Intoxication
- Where to Get Help
- Bibliography
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PDF large file 970KB: Young people & libraries: Self paced learning kit
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Background
In 2004, Garner Clancey, Sally Doran and Michael Huggett developed a self-paced learning package for shopping centre security guards. This package was designed to partially address the lack of information developed specifically for shopping centre security personnel on dealing with young people. This original package has proven to be quite popular, receiving many thousands of hits. In light of this success and the growing challenges for other professional groups in dealing with young people, it was decided that a series of similar packages would be developed for librarians, rangers (and similar local government regulatory personnel) and pool attendants. These specific sites / professions were selected based on feedback received that these were growing sites of conflict between young people and the associated personnel.
Acknowledgements
In developing these new self-paced learning packages, material from the original package has been coupled with new sections and updated information. Consequently, the original authors need to be acknowledged for their contribution and willingness to allow the original material to be re-worked. Furthermore, Pota Hatzopoulos contributed to the new cultural diversity section and Emma Farag contributed to the new section on managing intoxication. Special thanks also goes to Mylee Joseph (Consultant, State Library of New South Wales) for her considerable assistance with organising a focus group with library staff from western Sydney and providing relevant contemporary information about libraries. Thank you also to those librarians attending the focus group for this project and for those staff from across NSW who contributed their views and ideas via email.
Caveats
Any information contained in this package is provided to assist practitioners in their work. No responsibility is accepted by the authors for actions arising from dealing with young people (or other patrons / clients) based on any information contained within this document. Furthermore, the information pertaining to legislation was current at the time of writing. Whilst every effort has been taken to ensure its accuracy, the information contained in this kit is intended to be used as a general guide only and should not be interpreted or taken as being specific advice, legal or otherwise. The reader should seek professional advice of a suitably qualified practitioner before relying upon any of the information contained herein. This article and the opinions contained in it represent the views of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of the Youth Action and Policy Association.
