The aim of this research is to observe and analyse cross-cultural examples of public libraries with strong teen services, to identify key elements of practice and approach that enable these libraries’ successful and impactful interactions with teenagers. A particular focus is placed on factors that are a matter of mind-set rather than of specific facilities, to offer these as transferable lessons that can be applied widely, including by smaller libraries and those with fewer resources. A comparative case study was conducted at two locations selected as examples of strong teen services in their respective regions: Lava and TioTretton in Sweden and Tompkins County Public Library in the United States. Data were collected via interviews, observation and document analysis. Key factors identified as contributing to successful, teen-centred services include providing a space, no matter how small, that is solely for teens, where they can experience a sense of ownership and belonging; according teens the same respect as any other library visitor; creating a space that is comfortable and actively signals that everyone is welcome; letting teens take the lead, with staff following their interests and serving as facilitators for their projects; creating flexibility in spaces and programming; employing staff who have varied expertise and genuinely enjoy working with young people; mingling and interacting with visitors; and continually re-evaluating and improving practices.

本研究的目的是观察和分析具有强大青少年服务的公共图书馆的跨文化例子，以确定实践和方法的关键要素，使这些图书馆能够与青少年成功和有影响力的互动。特别关注与思维方式而非特定设施有关的因素，将这些作为可以广泛应用的可转移课程提供，包括较小的图书馆和资源较少的图书馆。在被选为各自地区强大青少年服务示例的两个地点进行了比较案例研究：瑞典的 Lava 和 TioTretton 以及美国的汤普金斯县公共图书馆。数据是通过访谈、观察和文件分析收集的。确定有助于成功的关键因素，以青少年为中心的服务包括提供一个空间，无论空间多小，都仅供青少年使用，让他们体验主人翁感和归属感；对青少年给予与任何其他图书馆访客相同的尊重；创造一个舒适的空间，并积极地表明每个人都受到欢迎；让青少年带头，员工关注他们的兴趣并担任他们项目的促进者；创造空间和编程的灵活性；雇用具有不同专业知识并真正喜欢与年轻人合作​​的员工；与访客交流和互动；并不断重新评估和改进实践。创造一个舒适的空间，并积极地表明每个人都受到欢迎；让青少年带头，员工关注他们的兴趣并担任他们项目的促进者；创造空间和编程的灵活性；雇用具有各种专业知识并真正喜欢与年轻人合作​​的员工；与访客交流和互动；并不断重新评估和改进实践。创造一个舒适的空间，并积极地表明每个人都受到欢迎；让青少年带头，员工关注他们的兴趣并担任他们项目的促进者；创造空间和编程的灵活性；雇用具有各种专业知识并真正喜欢与年轻人合作​​的员工；与访客交流和互动；并不断重新评估和改进实践。