Best Online Resources for Serving Teen Patrons
Here are the best online resources for serving teens, ages 12 to 18, at the library. Use these websites to quickly field reader’s advisory and reference questions with your teen patrons today! This post is dedicated to my dear librarian friend, Carolyn, who reviewed TheYouthDesk.com and said, “Where’s the teen stuff?”
Teen Readers’ Advisory Resources
These websites will help you explore the latest and greatest reading recommendations for teens. KDL’s What’s Next and NoveList Plus, in particular, are two resources I always have open while working the library’s teen desk.
YALSA Teens’ Top Ten
See the top ten books teens have nominated and chosen as their favorites each year.
YALSA Book and Media Awards
Award winners and recommended reading lists from the Young Adult Library Services Association, including the:
- Alex Awards for the top ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults
- Nonfiction Awards for excellence in young adult nonfiction
- Odyssey Awards for the best audiobooks produced for children and young adults
- Printz Award for the book that best exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature
- Pura Belpré Award for a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.
SLJ Best Books of the Year
The best middle grade, young adult, nonfiction, graphic novels, and manga from the year, according to School Library Journal.
KDL’s What’s Next
Search by book, series title, or author to find the next book in the series.
YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens
Graphic novels and illustrated nonfiction for those ages 12-18 recommended by the Young Adult Library Services Association.
No Flying No Tights
A blog dedicated to graphic novels, manga, and anime.
NoveList Plus
Use it to discover readalikes, read professional trade journal reviews (School Library Journal, Booklist, Kirkus, etc.), explore genre guides, and so much more. NoveList is an EBSCO product and requires a paid subscription, but it’s worth it.
Teen Homework Help Resources
If your library is unable to afford paid subscriptions to valuable databases, such as Gale’s Opposing Viewpoints or EBSCO’s LearningExpress, check with your state’s library for access. For example, in Michigan, these and more are available to all Michigan residents via the Michigan eLibrary.
Great homework help sites freely available online include:
Khan Academy
Free courses to support skills in math, science, social studies, life skills, and more. Plus, free SAT test prep!
Nemours TeensHealth Homework Help
Articles on topics ranging from bullying to test anxiety and note-taking.
Purdue Online Writing Lab
Free resources to help with writing papers, including style guides, how to conduct research, and preventing plagiarism.
Teen Mental Health Resources
In addition to these nationally recognized resources, give your local school district a call to see if they recommend local agencies or nonprofits to their students.
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline
Help available 24/7 via text, call, or chat for teens in a crisis. Resources on how to help and warning signs are also available on the 988 website.
NAMI HelpLine
Free one-on-one emotional support and mental health information for teens and young adults is available via text, phone, or email Monday-Friday from 10:00 am – 10:00 pm EST, or by exploring NAMI’s online resources.
Nemours TeensHealth
Doctor-reviewed advice and articles on topics, including body image, coping with stress, feeling sad, relationships, and much more, to help teens learn and start conversations with the adults in their lives.
Canton Public Library’s Mental Health Resources for Teens
Excellent list and succinct recommendations for self-care, mental health apps, when & who to ask for help, and more.
Teen Librarian Toolbox Teen Issues
A SLJ blog featuring posts on a variety of teen issues, including bullying, consent, gender issues, poverty, violence, and more for librarians serving teens.
College-Bound Resources
College Navigator
Find the right college with information for students, parents, and counselors about 7,000 schools.
Federal Student Aid
Learn about grants, loans, and scholarships for post-secondary education.
TeenLife
Online directory of STEM, gap year, pre-college, overnight summer, community service programs, and other experiential learning opportunities for students in grades 7-12.
Think College
Inclusive higher education options for people with intellectual disabilities.
Teen Program Planning Resources for Librarians
Finally, if you get to do a little program planning while on the Teen Desk, here are my favorite resources!
Teen Librarian Toolbox Programs List
A SLJ blog featuring full outlines for book-based, craft, food-based, interactive, and nontraditional programs.
Programming Librarian
The latest in library programming news from the American Library Association and an exceptional database of programming ideas and outlines. Plus webinars and lists of monthly themes and observances to get your creative juices flowing.
Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP)
Info and resources for current and past summer reading programs.