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Chances are, you have noticed teens outside of
your library grinding down the hand railing of the handicapped ramp or
cruising past on the sidewalk. You may have even scolded them before
for loitering or pestering patrons. Here is a chance to reach out to
these skateboarders as members of the community and offer them a
program that they will love.
Hold a workshop at a local skate park or other skate-friendly location for teens who already skate and those who are interested in trying it out. More experienced skaters can come and show complex tricks, explain the history of skateboarding, and set a positive example for teens. This is a great way to get your library's name out to patrons who might not realize that the library has something that interests them. If you notice patrons in your library with skateboards, ask them questions about their hobby. Ask how long they have been skating, where they skate, and what tricks they can do. They will be thrilled that you are interested in such a cool sport and surely will tell you all about it. If your town has a skate park, hold
the workshop there. If not, make sure your location is
skate-friendly, both on legal terms and on skater terms. You
don't want to hold the workshop at a parking lot because the
facilitators will not be able to fully demonstrate their skills. Get local skate shop owners and
skaters to
volunteer their time. Older skaters will be able to teach younger
teens, but, generally, more experienced skaters are better
facilitators. Some skaters will volunteer or be content with a
pizza for lunch, while others might charge a fee. Remember to stress safety during
your workshop. Require participants to wear helmets and
pads. Try to supply extras for those who forget or cannot bring
the necessary equipment. A sporting goods store might donate some
supplies. If not, ask local skaters to bring their old or extra
gear. What does skateboarding have to do with libraries?
The Parks and Recreation Department in Portland, Texas held a skateboarding camp. Your library could co-sponsor a similar event. Or you could plan a skateboarding
workshop yourself, like the library in Christchurch, New Zealand. You could even incorporate a
skateboarding workshop into your summer
program. Reading
List
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Skateboarding Workshop |
