To help libraries bridge the teen-library divide, Califa staff has worked with schools and some young people to come up with a guide that we hope can help teens understand how library resources fit with library resources.

We've created a "Guide to Getting An A; the California Way" and related posters and bookmarks that libraries can use. Califa is sending out a poster & set of bookmarks to each public library and the school libraries that helped with our "Get An A" exhibit at the California School Library Association Conference last November.

Staff has also created this brief guide on how to use these marketing materials:

1. Contact local schools, specially library media specialists. Share bookmarks, posters with them and offer workshops for teachers and students.
2. Send a press release, including your library's information to local media, making sure the list includes high school and community college newspapers.
3. Use the "Get an A" student campaign as an opportunity to get library staff up-to-speed about online tools. Have an "internal launch" event/party for the whole staff to introduce the "Guide to Getting an A" -- share all the materials and ideas and do a quick demo of the workshop, and let everyone know that reaching students is high on the agenda.
4. Get posters up outside the library -- schools, coffee shops, bookstores, parks & recreation field houses etc.
5. Collect testimonials from satisfied students and put them to workĄ­.on your website in print materials etc.
6. Ask students to show their parents how to use the library's online resources.
7. Let us know any suggestions to update the "How to Get an A" information. The web is a fast-changing information resource. We'll be happy to update this page with your suggestions. Contact: Hteysko@califa.org