Sociologically, the term “young adult” has been used to describe anyone between high school and college years; generally, the time children are “learning” how to be adults. This is not to be confused with marketing circles “young adult” which is 18-24 and sometimes, 25-34. Both the NCES (National Center for Education Statistics) and the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) of the American Library Association (ALA) currently define “young adult” as ages 12-18. Commonly, it has become another term for “teenager”. “Young adult” is actually, what people in this age group prefer to be called. 62% of teenagers polled in a recent marketing study preferred the term “young” (as in “young men”- “young women”) with “young adult” at 59%, and then “teenager” or “teen” 43% and 42% respectively. Interestingly, all respondents did not wish to be “young” at all, each age level wished to be older than they were, with 12 year-olds wishing to skip all the way ahead to 17. Exactly why was undetermined, but these facts should prove helpful in designing services for this group, naming the collection area, choosing materials, creating booklists, etc.
This same study asked young adults their favorite leisure time activities and the number of hours spent engaging in that activity. The complete results, listed in Patrick Jones’ book Connecting Young Adults and Libraries prove incredibly useful to a librarian interested in reaching this audience. One quick observation of note: 89% participated in “watching TV” for a total of 11.5 hours per week, 95% “listened to FM radio” for a total of 10.3 hours per week and 93% “listened to CDs, tapes or records” for a total of 9.6 hours per week. Compare that with “reading magazines for pleasure”, which came in at 73% for a total of 2.7 hours per week, and “reading books for pleasure” at 60% for a total of 4.5 hours per week and one sees the challenge ahead.
As a group, YAs appear unfocused, contradictory, and vexing. This is because there is a lot going on under those backwards baseball caps. Studies show brain development, hard wiring (making connections within the brain) and pruning of information is still taking place during the teenage years. According to Brownlee, et. al. in a recent US News and World Report article entitled "Inside the Teen Brain,” different regions of [a teen's] brain are developing on different timetables. For instance, one of the last parts to mature is in charge of making sound judgments and calming unruly emotions.”
Adolescence is an extremely formative and stressful period. As they struggle toward independence and maturity, YAs discover potentially frightening changes are taking place and important decisions have to be made. YAs are not “big kids” nor are they “little adults”, they are a unique demographic with unique needs that must be addressed.
Library staff interacting with young adults needs to be aware of these facts to effectively serve and relate to them. Being approachable, patient and nonjudgmental is important when young adults visit the library; staff should not fear, become frustrated or angry with, or neglect them. With all the social options and environmental distractions young adults have, getting them to use the library to any degree is quite an accomplishment, and their patronage should be fostered.
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