Create a successful, vibrant, and youth-centered teen services program with this practical, comprehensive guide-even when resources are limited. In order to develop a young adult department from the ground up, librarians need to be informed about a myriad of interrelated tasks and responsibilities: creating policies, purchasing materials, program scheduling, outreach, and budgeting. Even for libraries that already have teen-oriented materials within their facilities, keeping them current and fresh is a challenge, especially when budget or physical space is an issue. Starting from Scratch: Building a Teen Library Program is an instrumental resource for librarians who are either entering an established teen program with no previous experience, or establishing a new teen program in a library. It covers all steps in the process of becoming a successful teen librarian, from getting the job and advocating for a teen department to adding qualified staff and ongoing professional development. Provides invaluable information that will help teen librarians successfully face the common challenges of running a YA department, such as communicating with teens, budgetary and space limitations, theft, and lack of staff support Includes bibliographic information in each section, such as useful related works, booklists, and additional reading material