I work in a library and after school lets out, the teenagers will not behave! How can I reinforce behavior??

Question

We actually have a police officer come in sometimes because they are so terrible. The teenagers have done a thousand dollars worth of damage to our brand new building! How can we change their behavior using psychology??

Answer 1

Engage them. Go talk to them. Make requests and enlist their assistance. Get them to help you stock shelves or check books in and organize them.

Lay it on thickly with admiration and praise. get their opinion on things. Quiz them an teach them about the candidates running for political office positions (objectively). Ask them about their interests (sports, fashion) and guide them to where they can get more info. "Interview" them, get to know them.

Chances are, they only misbehave because they don't have enough stimulation or challenges. Maybe their parents ignore them with their own busy lives. Maybe they need some attention and validation, and recognition of their skills.

Maybe they are trying to exert their independence and gain social status with each other. Maybe they are testing the boundaries of acceptable conduct. Maybe they are trying to find what buttons to push to make you lose your composure.

See if they need help or assistance studying. Find out what they're learning about in school. Circle some chairs and have group discussions about advertising techniques (grab some magazines).

When you make the library a fun place where they feel welcome, popular, important, and engaging, you will see more respect and cooperation from them. Lead by example. You'll get what you give. Patience, kindness, and interest.

Any salesperson will tell you that you have to build rapport with people in order to earn their business. It works similarly with influencing people. It begins with rapport building. Dale Carnegie writes books about rapport building. In order to motivate people, you must have rapport.

If none of this works, and you want to see less of them, play soft classical music or smooth jazz. Music is soothing, but these types and not necessarily popular with teens.

Answer 2

I work in a library, too. We have teens who come in but, they are mostly noisy & not disrepectful of property.

You have a challenge. Do you have a Young Adult Librarian? If so, put this person in charge of the teens. Perhaps the teens need some "jobs" to keep themselves busy. Do you have a teen advisory board? Some of these teens (probably the leaders in the high school) can help the library with purchasing materials and making decisions regarding the young adult collections.

I would also ask the police officer about the course of action. Those who are caught damaging library property should be prosecuted. It may cost time, but it will worth it in the end when others see that they are hauled into court for vandalism.

If you are on a ALA discussion listserv, I would pose this question to the listserv. You may get some more constructive answers.

Good luck. I hope things work out for you.

Answer 3

If it means "zero-tolerance" on certain issues to drive home the point to parents, then do it... it sounds a bit "behavioristic," (shudder) but the idea is that of "cost responce." Creating more special activities or opportunities for the student population may help to build "loyalties" & sensibilities in students, so that they will eventually be more apt to "police their own ranks," but there also needs to be a public outcry and the PTA must get "on-board." Enlisting the help of all parties interested in remediating these difficulties will bring on the swiftest change... though an ongoing campaign aimed at creating "values shift" in the student population must always be of highest priority.

Answer 4

Unfortunately with teenagers, psychology usually doesn't work. It's too late for that. You'll just have to ban the kids that are causing the damage and disruption. The police will help you to enforce that. I guarantee those parents will care what their kids are doing when they have to pay either a fine or bail for their kid that broke the law for coming in when they've been banned.

Answer 5

Start sending them on their way, if they are unable to control themselves in a library environment. I would also make them singing in and show Id's so they can be held accountable and responsible for any damages that they cause. Post signs to this effect. That is really horrible. What is going on in the world that children come into a public building and destroy it. There parents can be held accountable for any damages that they cause. Good luck and God bless.

Answer 6

no need of psychology...kids like this needs deciplinary action. the school have a law, why not try to implement it in a strictier way, but moderate. kids now are terrible, (not all). better check their family background, if you really want to get rid of their behavioral attitude, from there the faculty concern teachers will have the idea of controlling their students. if you use drastic action/force, most likely they will be worst. talk to your students indivudually,(i know its time consuming), but theres nothing bad of doin so. know the leaders of the group, maybe the leaders of the group have something to do with it. sit in and talk. maybe they have something in their mind about the school rules., check it out.

Answer 7

call the police & ban a few kids, it worked @ my library, only they have to do with every new bath of kids...

Answer 8

Approach the leader...let him know what his role is..make him feel important..ask him to work with you ...make him feel you two are a team..

Answer 9

It's not a matter of using psychology, it's a matter of respect and it has to be taught at home.

If they have no respect for property, you alone cannot teach them.

sorry....

Answer 10

Have you tried a baseball bat??