Karen Smith graduated from Wayne State University in 1997 with a B.A in Psychology and 2001 with a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Science with a concentration in Services to Children and Teens. She worked as a teen librarian for a number of years before becoming the Head of Children’s Services at the Livonia Public Library in Livonia, Michigan. Over the years, she has hosted successful programs, created two tween collections, and advocated for tweens and teens in library spaces. Karen reads a variety of tween literature and reviews for Library Media Connection regularly. She lives in southeastern Michigan with her husband, Brian.

• AcknowledgementsPrefaceChapter 1: Who are “Tweens” and What do They Want?Chapter 2: Why Create a Tween Collection?Chapter 3: What is Tween Literature?Chapter 4: Beyond Print MaterialsChapter 5: Evaluating Current CollectionsChapter 6: Carving Out SpaceChapter 7: Controversy in Tween LiteratureChapter 8: Should you Add Nonfiction?Chapter 9: BudgetsChapter 10: Marketing your New CollectionAppendix 1: Selected Titles FictionAppendix 2: Selected Title NonfictionAppendix 3: Case Study Eton AcademyAppendix 4: Case Study Geneva Public LibraryAppendix 5: Case Study Loutit District LibraryAppendix 6: Case Study Novi Public LibraryBibliography

Creating a Tween Collection: A Practical Guide for Librarians is the how-to manual librarians need to serve the in-between patrons—feeling too old for the children’s room, not ready for the teen room. From understanding the tween mind and needs to the practical collection building and space making, Smith has covered it all, including real-life case studies that illustrate how tween services in libraries work.