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Saint Paul teen engagement project reaches 164 teens; finds scheduling and social ties limit visits to libraries, rec centers
Summary
Saint Paul Public Library, Parks and Recreation and Right Track presented interim results from a youth-led survey of 164 teenagers showing that busy schedules and not knowing anyone who goes are the top reasons teens do not use libraries and recreation centers; most who responded find the spaces welcoming.
At a Saint Paul Public Library Board meeting, a team from Saint Paul Public Library, Parks and Recreation and Right Track reported interim findings from a youth-led teen engagement survey that reached 164 participants across the city.
Project leaders said the survey targeted 14-to-19-year-olds and used an in-person outreach approach. “So instead of creating programs without their input, ask them what they need specifically and then create programs from those anecdotes,” said Natasha O'Bafin, who managed the interns and presented the summary to the board.
The nut of the findings: scheduling and social dynamics shape teens’ use of public spaces. The presenters reported that the two biggest barriers keeping teens from visiting libraries were “my schedule is full” and “I don’t know…
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