When to Approach Teens

I want to do RA for teens, but I never know when I should talk to them!

Approach if the teen

• Is alone.

• Is browsing books and talking about books with a friend or parent.

• Is “lingering,” meandering through the stacks, soaking it all in.

• Picks books up and skims through them, reads flyleafs, etc.

• Makes eye contact with or smiles at you when you are in the area.

Wait until next time if the teen

• Is just hanging out with friends, doing homework, or otherwise occupied.

• Is engrossed in the book or magazine he’s reading.

• Deliberately avoids eye contact.

• Is wearing earphones.

• Is browsing an area with sensitive materials and doesn’t exhibit any of the above signs of approachability.