Anna Hartmann (MS ’09) has been named Advocate of the Month by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA). This monthly feature on the YALSA blog, sponsored by the Legislative Committee, highlights the advocacy work of passionate individuals on behalf of teens in libraries.
As the teen services librarian at the Council Bluffs Public Library in Council Bluffs, Iowa, Hartmann has helped oversee the creation and opening of Teen Central, a dedicated space in the library for teens, while also offering monthly programs exclusively for patrons in grades 6 through 12. Hartmann partners with several local advocacy groups and community organizations in order to get the word out about the services the library offers and the importance of working as a community to support youth of all ages.
Hartmann believes a good relationship with teen patrons is crucial for successful young adult services. “They are so creative and funny and interesting. And yes, they can also be frustrating and crazy-making, but who isn’t sometimes?” she said. She advocates on behalf of her teens to her coworkers and the community every day, stressing the importance of teen-centered events and programming. “I will defend to the ends of the Earth teens’ right to be in the library and use the space in equal manner to any other library patron,” she said.